Allison Buccola has earned a new fan. Me! This was an excellently composed book with many twists and turns. Although it moved back and forth across time periods in Lee’s life, I was never lost or confused. Allison created each of the timelines with skill and a seeming understanding about how to build both parts of the story without sacrificing one to the other.

Great characters abound; Lee/Ophelia, Theo, Mona/Maria, even Jacqueline were strong in their roles as they carried their part of the story. Did I like them or hate them? Some of both for each depending on where the story took us.

With just the right touch on the pulse of Jonestown, Lee’s childhood and experiences in a cult-like environment shaped her into an adult person with evident insecurities. She had many self-doubts so it was easy to see and sympathize with her mental health issues.

A great ending to a great book!

The writing style with this novel was wonderful. It was so character driven and just in such detail. I loved this about the book. However, the story just was mundane and nothing was happening until the very end of the book. I felt like I was reading more of a story about a new mom's day to day life rather than a story about cults. I got not creepy factor out of this at all, which is what most cult books try to accomplish. I would read more by this author, but this book really needed some pep and things going on.

3.25/5

I want to start off by saying this is a pretty slow thriller, and I’m not sure I would consider it a thriller.

We follow Ophelia who grew up in a cult. She wakes up one day and everyone has disappeared, and no one is able to find out what happened to the Fifteen. The story progresses between modern day and flashbacks of her childhood. One day she runs into a woman who claims to be her sister Mona, and we go down this journey of trying to figure out if she really is, or if she’s an imposter.

Ophelia wants more than anything for this to be her sister, as this might be her only chance to figure out what truly happened that day. Mona is very sketchy, not someone we can really trust, she appears to lie a lot. We also find out that Ophelia is hiding her entire past from her husband.

Really it’s a lot of back and forward with flashbacks and Ophelia questioning if this is really her sister. At about the 80% mark we finally hit a twist. Is Ophelia correct or is she spiraling like she has in the past. This story had a good idea, it just wasn’t executed well. It would have been nice to have more of a background on the cult. The ending also felt lackluster of what truly happened.

The Ascent by Allison Buccola hooked me in from the beginning. Perhaps it was the cult topic or the voice of the character trying to grasp past and present reality. Ophelia the main character is someone that I the reader would like to befriend which is partly why I was hooked to the story. I wanted to know what happens to Ophelia and her family. I enjoyed and could understand the back and forth of past and present in each chapter. You learn slowly about Ophelia's past which comes into play for her present time. The need for answers, or accepting feelings that bubble up while in the present time. I enjoyed all the characters and wanted to know more about some of them but the whole point is to get a glimpse of some of the important people to Ophelia. Her husband Theo is a likeable and you almost feel sorry for him in the beginning of the story and little by little he seems to bully her. By the end of the story I was taken by him and all that Ophelia or Lee as she is also called, that I had no idea what was going to happen. The ending which I will not spoil is not what I expected. I am usually pretty good at figuring out what will happen. Well not here, I was completely surprised and happy for Ophelia. I want to thank Random House, Allison Buccola and Net Galley for allowing me to read this novel.

2.5 ⭐️ (rounded down). I feel really bad giving this book such a low rating because the synopsis sounds so intriguing and I was really excited to get an advanced copy, but sadly it was just disappointing and boring. It was such a SLOW burn…dragged on and on and I felt like it was going nowhere. I thought the story would have been more interesting if it focused more on the cult and her past and I did not like the ending at all. I thought the “twist”was dumb. And lastly, I know this is just a silly complaint but I also got annoyed reading how Lee’s mind wandered when she was with other people. I hate to say this but it probably would have been a DNF for me if I wasn’t buddy reading it with a friend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

To see other reviews I’ve left, please check out my Instagram and Goodreads:
*Instagram - bookworm_traveler808
*Goodreads - Cherihy808

4.5 Stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

This took a long time to get going...slowly....but finally, things picked up and BAM!!! I quite enjoyed this. Several twists that I didn't see coming, and we have ourselves a good one, folks.

Will I read more from the author? YES.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House for providing the copy of The Ascent by Allison Buccola for me to review. I loved this book right away! The writing style drew me right into the story, and I liked that Lee had been a member of a cult but the book didn’t focus on the details. I loved the fast pace.The different timelines were interesting and Lee was a good but naive main character. The mystery of what happened to the cult members was intriguing and kept me guessing until the reveal! The problem for me was the ending. It was surprising but I’m not sure there were enough clues to make it satisfying soI ws disappointed. You will love it if you love an unexpected conclusion. 4 stars.

4.5. I love books about cults, communes, and religious zealots and this book opens with a now-grown woman who is from the Jacob Hill group that completely disappeared 20 years ago. The group was led by Christopher who dictated the every move
of the lives of its members. Ophelia was 12 at the time when she awoke and all 15 members were gone. Disappeared. She was left all alone. To this day they’ve never been found.

The book alternates between present day and 20 years ago and I jumped in right away so excited to dig deep into this mysterious group and why and how they disappeared, leaving one girl behind.

This book was a crazy fast paced novel that completely sucked me in from the start. The ending was a bit far fetched for me but that did not diminish the ride getting there.

I really enjoyed this book, a psychological thriller with depth and heart. I couldn't put it down. Loved the main character and her struggles to come to terms with her past as a cult survivor and the new life she was trying to build. She was the only survivor of the cult and then finds out maybe her family is still alive. She felt very real to me despite very different life experiences, overall I loved the book. couldn't put it down, very satisfying on a lot of levels deep, powerful moving, I still feel caught in the spell

4 ⭐️ This was a fast paced and ever evolving story dealing with cults, mental health, trauma, and love.

The main character, Ophelia “ Lee” is a a young mother struggling with mental health issues. She grew up in a cult and struggles with reality. What seems to be Lee’s journey to get well for her husband and daughter takes a turn and becomes a mystery thriller with a twist I did not see coming.

Great writing and plot, strong characters, satisfying surprise ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Allison Buccola for allowing me to read and review this book.

In this book we follow Lee today and twenty years in the past. Lee grew up in a cult that one day disappeared, well everyone but her. She has no idea what happened to them, and neither does the rest of the world.

One day a new documentary on the cult airs on Netflix. This concerns Lee greatly. Even though she has changed her identity, she is still afraid people will find out she is the lone member of this cult that did not disappear. She is especially afraid her husband will find out, she has never told him her past, and she's afraid that he will pity her or worse.

This book grasped me from the beginning. All I wanted was to find out what happened to the cult and why they left Lee alone at the age of twelve. The characters are interesting, and the plot is so well written. I was gripped from the beginning and had a hard time putting this book down. There are so many twists and turns throughout the book, you never know for sure what will happen next.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and learning about cults.

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for an early digital copy of THE ASCENT by @allisonbuccola.
| RELEASE DATE : MAY 20, 2025 |

The vibes for me on this one kept me thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading it and would recommend for people who are intrigued by cults. I thought this was a well done story and left me satisfied upon finishing the read. I like how we got a POV from the past and current day.

I always forget kindle has a highlight feature so I’m trying to be better at utilizing that this year. I’ve included some SPOILER-FREE quotes that resonated with me for one reason or another.
📍“Work doesn’t calm down,” Fey says. “That’s just a lie we tell ourselves. You have to make time for the things that matter to you.”
📍“Sometimes we can know what’s good for us, on a conscious level, but still have a hard time putting it into practice.”

Title: Ascent
Author: Allison Buccola
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Random House
Genre: Mystery Thriller, cult
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
My Rating: 4.2
Pages 352

I was drawn to this as I have always been fascinated by cults and curious about the survivors ~ e.g.
• Manson Family- 1969 ~
• Jonestown-massacre Guyana.- Peoples Temple, 1987 ~ and
• Waco massacre-Branch Davidians, 1993. ~
My go-to reads are psychological thrillers- I believe there is a connection between cults and psychology.

Story is story is divided into four parts:
1. Sleepwalking
2. The Awakening
3. Resistance
4. The Ascent

Twenty years ago, members of a reclusive cult near Philadelphia vanish. No sightings of any of the member’s bodies were ever found; except a twelve year old girl named Ophelia Clayborne was found near a road searching for her lost family.

Now, Ophelia (Lee) Burton is married to Theo and they have a seven month old daughter Lucy. Lee however is experiencing postpartum depression; she has no friends or family- other than Theo and her mother-in-law,

When a woman shows up claiming to be Lee’s sister, Mona who was six when the cult vanished, Lee desperately wants her to be her sister.

Theo is sure she is a fraud and has concerns about Lee’s obsession. He threatens to take baby Lucy and have Lee institutionalize.

As someone who loves psychological thrillers and expects a “Big Reveal” I have to admit the ‘the reveal wasn’t a ‘Big’ ’surprise but it did fool me.
This wasn’t a thriller but it certainly was an interesting story with a satisfying ending!

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group ~ Random House for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 20, 2025.

Wow!!!! 😮. What an incredible book! First time reading this author. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end. I will definitely recommend this book!!!

This book is an enthralling thriller that combines suspense with heartfelt moments. The plot takes a thrilling twist when a stranger arrives, promising answers to Lee's long-held questions. The tension between maintaining her safe, stable life and uncovering the truth about the commune adds an exciting layer to the story. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat, seamlessly blending nerve-rattling suspense with the emotional depth of a mother's love and paranoia. I loved how this book navigates themes of identity and family truths. The blend of mystery and personal growth makes for a compelling read that leaves you pondering long after the last page.

If you're looking for a thriller that will keep you guessing while tugging at your heartstrings, this one is the perfect choice.

I loved this book and think my older students will as well. A woman, a survivor of a cult, deal with new motherhood, with trust with abandonment, with the possibility of finding her missing mother and sister. It was instantly absorbable and kept me reading on and on. It deals with both the past and how it haunts us, defines us and the present. It also looks at class privilege and mental health and trivializing someone's truth. It has strong vivid characters and an ending that is satisfying. Loved it.

Wow!!! I was hooked from the beginning. I loved the alternating perspectives from past and present that kept me going. Despite Lee not being the most likeable character, it added to the intrigue. I'm fascinated by the cult mentality. Her past seriously impacted her mental health and this led to her to cling to her daughter in order to keep her safe. Throughout the novel, there was more than one mystery to solve and I wasn't expecting the turns that it took.

Thank you netgalley for the copy of this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7184240365

I devoured this book! The pacing was spot on, and I loved the richly drawn characters. The twist felt fresh and earned. I will be recommending this book to others who love thrillers, cults, and a past the refuses to stay buried. Bravo!

The Ascent by Allison Buccola is a haunting and gripping psychological thriller that lingers long after the final page.

At the heart of the novel is Lee, once known as Ophelia, the sole survivor of a cult where all members disappeared during the night including her beloved mother and sister leaving only Ophelia. Left behind at the age of twelve, Ophelia is taken in by her estranged aunt and uncle and two younger cousins. Lee endures years of scorn and taunts, a reminder that her past is something she must bury to survive.

Now an adult, Lee has changed her name, married, and has become a mother. Lee has not shared her story with her husband Theo and begins to panic when a chilling true crime podcast is aired with raising questions especially about her; “The Survivor”. Lee is asked repeatedly to tell her side of the story, but she will not and is relieved they do not use her name.

When a woman appears at her door claiming to be her sister, one Lee believed was lost with the cult, her carefully constructed world begins to fracture. This woman’s presence is unsettling, her answers elusive, and Lee’s relentless questioning drives a wedge between her and her husband, Theo.

As Lee’s obsession grows, Theo confronts her, accusing her of delusion and paranoia. The woman is declared a fraud, cast out by Theo, and Lee’s desperation to understand the truth becomes her undoing. In a cruel twist, Theo takes custody of their child, and Lee is institutionalized, labeled by those around her as unstable. I was frustrated with this part as I wished Lee had shared her story with her husband and her character seemed weak not demanding answers from her “sister”. Where were you? What happened? Why did you leave me behind? I wanted to learn more about the cult and their members. Why did her mother choose to follow them?

The Ascent is not just a thriller—it is a meditation on the scars of survival and the fine line between reality and memory. Do we ever just leave the past behind?

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House and Allison Buccola for an advanced copy of this to read.

I absolutely loved this one. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Lee Burton, the sole survivor of a mysterious commune disappearance outside Philadelphia, has spent years trying to leave her painful past behind. Now married with a young daughter, Lee’s life is unraveling as she struggles with overwhelming paranoia and a desperate need to protect her family. When a stranger arrives with answers about her past, Lee must confront the chilling truth behind the cult's disappearance and decide whether she can hold on to her fragile new life or face the terrifying revelations that threaten to shatter everything.

I really thought I knew which way the plot was going several times, only to be taken elsewhere. What a great, twisty ride this was. I think some people might be bothered by the slow-burn nature of the plot, which I would usually take issue with. But The Ascent had me glued to the pages. Highly recommended for those interested in cults or domestic mysteries/thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.