"You Shouldn't Be Here" grabs readers from the start with its eerie premise and unexpected twists. Thoman expertly weaves Angie's haunting experiences with Madelyn's investigation, delivering a gripping read filled with mystery and suspense.

Despite a slow start, the gradual tension buildup leads to an unputdownable narrative. Thoman's clever writing and well-developed characters, including a despicable yet intriguing villain, add depth to the story.

While the dual POVs and timelines may initially confuse, they ultimately enhance the plot. With surprises that will leave readers gasping, laughing, and on the edge of their seats, "You Shouldn't Be Here" is a must-read for mystery fans craving unexpected twists.

I seem to be an outlier but I could not get into this book. I read quite a few chapters but finally DNFed it because I was dreading picking it up each time. I could not believe any of the actions of the main characters and they all seemed very cliched.

I read a digital review copy of this book via NetGalley.

At first I wasn’t so sure about this book. I thought it was just your average run of the mill thriller. But then the twists started and wooo doggie! This was unlike any supernatural thriller I have ever read and it was refreshing! It’s gotta be hard to write a thriller these days, I feel like everything’s been done at least ten times. But You Shouldn’t Be Here is completely new territory and I loved it.

The characters are likable, sure they make a couple questionable decisions, but that’s par for the course with a thriller. The twists were all surprising and new. I think what I liked most about this book is the Eastern PA setting though, because it’s where I grew up and I love to see the word “hoagie” in a book. I’m kidding, kinda. This book had a lot to like, including strong female characters, an annoying yet lovable dog, and some romance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC. You Shouldn’t Be Here releases in July 2024!

Two families seeking answers come together to solve a mystery. With a slow start, things do get interesting as Madelyn continues to question what happened to her cousin. Lauren Thoman creates a thick plot that unravels little by little with subtle clues intertwined. The characters are very likable and intriguing. A nice mystery that was easy to read and very enjoyable.

Wow!! I loved this book! The mystery, the suspense, the romance, the friendships, and so many unexpected twists! There were a couple of instances where I audibly gasped. And moments where I laughed out loud. It was fast-paced and kept me guessing throughout. I loved the romance that was tied into the story but also that it didn’t take over the plot. The paranormal aspect added another layer of intrigue that had me on the edge of my seat!

My only complaint is that the pacing was a tad slow in the beginning and the dual POVs and timelines took me a few chapters to understand, but once I did this book was unputdownable.

The characters were well developed and the story was action packed and engaging. I really enjoyed how everything tied up at the end and there were no questions left unanswered. I highly recommend this novel and hope to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Enjoyed the diverse characters, the plot, and the intertwining of stories and timelines. On the fence about one twist, epilogue completely ruined another one for me because it made me question how it made sense.

Overall, enjoyed the book for the most part and would read another from the author.

Full review will be up at https://bookedallnight.wordpress.com/

I really enjoyed this story. So many secrets and a lot of twists. A definite recommend.

Thanks netgalley and publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of You Shouldn't Be Here by Lauren Thoman. You know that great feeling of starting a book and loving it immediately? That’s the feeling I got from You Shouldn't Be Here, and I couldn’t stop reading. Madelyn was a marvelous, sympathetic character, and I loved her awkwardness and low-key romance. She made some poor choices that showed she was fallible and endearingly real. I enjoyed the friendship between Angie and Bas and how he never stopped missing her. Knowing who a ‘bad guy’ was from the start didn’t stop me from suspecting other characters of being involved too. If you’re looking for a book you will race through, with an intriguing story and characters, this book is for you!

Madelyn moves to a new town to find her missing cousin

Each chapter starts with a social media post or article about the local villainous megalomaniac who runs the town, Doug Raymond. He’s rich, powerful and anyone that questions his motives seem to disappear

Madelyn comes to town to try and find her cousin Piper, knowing that Doug Raymond her old boss must know something

We also get to know teen bff’s Angie and Bas who seem to be dealing with a ghost, haunting Angie

It took 240 pages for something thrilling to happen - huge build up, and too slow for me

Some strong representation: the nonbinary character Syzygy and a liberal opinion on the 2nd amendment

This is a slow burn suspense with some romance, and a sliver of paranormal

I’m not a paranormal or romance fan, so this area wasn’t my cup of tea. I am a huge suspense fan, and I know that a build up is vital, but this dragged for me. The romantic element also took its time and felt kinda YA, so perhaps this book would be popular with a younger audience

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review

This book is the true definition of a slow burn, but the second half makes up for it with the intricate weaving of storylines. The mix of genres was also interesting - a mystery/thriller with a hint of romance & some paranormal aspects. There were times where the book felt a bit YA since some of the main characters are kids, but it also gave off Nancy Drew style vibes - which I’m totally here for. The author did a great job of really making you despise the villain, Douglas. His racism and pure ignorance was hard to read without cringing. While some of the twists are predictable, the story keeps you intrigued enough to want to know how all the pieces fit together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The prologue in this book starts out with a bang! It had me hooked immediately.

You Shouldn’t Be Here follows two POVs; 16 year old Angie who is convinced there’s a ghost in her house and Madelyn Zhao who arrives to town to find her missing cousin. The way these two stories intertwine was like nothing I’ve seen before.

I absolutely loved the first twist that connects the two characters. At times, the story did feel a little YA with the dialogue and the ways some of the characters were acting. The romance seemed like it happened too quickly and kinda took me out of the creepiness of the story. The ending also wrapped up a little too conveniently.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend the book. I love when authors bend genres to bring unique twists. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

You Shouldn't Be Here
By Lauren Thoman
Publication Date: July 9, 2024

📚MY RATING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

📚THE SYNOPSIS:

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.

📚MY REVIEW:

This book has been waiting on my NetGalley shelf for WAY too long. I knew there was a paranormal aspect to it, and those books have the potential to freak me out, so I sometimes hesitate in picking them up. But today, the sun was brightly streaming into my living room and I figured I could at least start reading it and see how it felt before the sun began to set...

Somehow, the next thing I knew, nearly 3 hours had gone by and I was absolutely loving this book, so I had to keep reading! I read it all in one sitting! Yes, there's a fairly big paranormal theme throughout...But there's also a love story, several mysteries I knew would eventually converge, multiple POVs, a villain to hate, and wonderful characters to root for. This was just such a fun read, with some twists I didn't see coming, and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for gifting me this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend this book!!

#YouShouldntBeHere #LaurenThoman #NetGalley #bookreviews #bookrecommendations

"You Shouldn't Be Here" by Lauren Thoman is an exceptional debut novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological intrigue. Thoman's storytelling prowess shines through in this gripping tale, capturing readers' attention from the very first page and holding it tight until the shocking conclusion.

At the heart of "You Shouldn't Be Here" is a compelling mystery that unfolds with skillful precision. Thoman expertly weaves together multiple narrative threads, each one adding depth and complexity to the central enigma. As the story progresses, secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and the tension mounts to a fever pitch, keeping readers guessing until the final, breathtaking reveal.

The characters in "You Shouldn't Be Here" are vividly drawn and utterly captivating. From the enigmatic protagonist to the colorful cast of supporting players, each character feels fully realized and imbued with depth and nuance. Thoman's keen insight into the human psyche allows her to explore the complexities of her characters' motivations and relationships, adding layers of intrigue and emotion to the narrative.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its atmospheric setting, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama. Thoman's evocative prose brings the small town of Cedar Springs to life, immersing readers in its eerie charm and dark secrets. The sense of place is palpable, lending an additional layer of tension and suspense to the story.

Moreover, "You Shouldn't Be Here" is distinguished by its masterful pacing and impeccable plotting. Thoman skillfully balances moments of high drama with quieter, introspective scenes, creating a narrative rhythm that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The twists and turns of the plot are expertly executed, leading to a series of shocking revelations that will leave readers breathless.

In addition to its gripping plot and well-drawn characters, "You Shouldn't Be Here" also explores deeper themes of identity, betrayal, and the consequences of the past. Thoman's nuanced exploration of these themes adds depth and resonance to the story, elevating it beyond mere suspense fiction and into the realm of literary excellence.

In conclusion, "You Shouldn't Be Here" by Lauren Thoman is a riveting and emotionally resonant thriller that heralds the arrival of a major new talent in the genre. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and masterful plotting, it is a novel that will linger in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned. Fans of suspenseful fiction and psychological thrillers alike will find much to love in this stunning debut.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

This book sank it's teeth in to me super quickly!! They way the stories of the two main protagonists are tied together is done masterfully. I do wish the pacing of the first half of the book was a little quicker and it dragged just a little.

I LOVE LAUREN THOMAN!! This book knocked it out of the park again, just like her first book, I'll Stop the World. I lost a lot of sleep because I couldn't put this read down. I don't want to give too much away, but think thriller/mystery with a hint of sci-fi and WTF. The vibes were very similar to I'll Stop the World in that it was an intriguing and easy read with fun plot points and twists. There were a lot of chapters, but the chapters were short, so it didn't feel like reading a long book. I liked how she created character development through contemporary methods of communication (email, text, etc) at the beginning of each chapter. It allowed for the story to unfold without a lot of exposition. The twists were great, and honestly kept me guessing. The only thing I found somewhat disappointing about this book was the end. I felt like it was rushed and things weren't explained well. There was a section in the Epilogue where the characters started getting into quantum physics, and it was shut down as, "these characters will have a deeper conversation about this later". I wanted them to expand on this and theorize about the happenings of the book more. It felt too "let's tie this up in a simple bow", and I felt like it didn't do justice to the characters or the incredible book I just read. I still highly recommend this read though!

Wild turns and shocking twists. I was totally captivated, although I could have done without the romance. I loved the mystery and the villain.

I received this book as an ARC read for free via NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found myself trying to be Nancy Drew and figure out exactly what happened and how each of the characters were connected. Some parts I ended up piecing together, I had suspicions about others but thought that I had to be wrong, and then one piece I’m still trying to figure out how it could happen. That’s the beauty of fiction…letting your imagination take control!

This was a great time and definitely worth getting to relive my Nancy Drew memories ❤️

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me an ARC of this book.
“…the universe is not fond of careful planning. It’s going to mess with you, whether or not either of you wants it to. Those are the rules”
This is a combination of genres that caught my attention, immediately. I loved the paranormal aspect of the story and the relationships that formed; all driven by the selfishness of one individual. I wanted Doug to hurt as badly as he had hurt so many others, and I think this delivered! 4.5 stars!

Part mystery, part ghost story, I found the plot masterfully done. the author has a knack for connecting the dots in such a deliberate way that every guess I had was right, but also not QUITE right. I absolutely loved how everything unfolded and wove together. I find of lot of mystery books are more plot-based than character-based and this matched that. Still, it had very enjoyable and diverse characters. My one gripe is the abundance of brands dropped in this book. Some I knew and some I did not. It pulled me out of the story sometimes wanting to look things up or figure things out. I worry that with time these descriptions will become even more obscure and take away from the book, which would be unfortunate because it is a truly unique and engaging story!

LOVED THIS BOOK! I could visualize the characters and wanted to be friends with them. It also had a number of plot twists that I was never expecting which made me laugh and yell out loud. For anyone who has encountered and gone up against a powerful, narcissistic person, you’ll enjoy this book even more.