First off a big thank you to the publisher for the letting me read this and for introducing me to a new author as well as helping me find a new favorite. Everything about this book was right up my alley and it's what I needed on this cold and snowny day, it fit the atmosphere perfectly, it was eerie, spooky, the horror aspect is more unsettling and suspenseful then I could ever hope it would be .

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me an advance copy of Cherie Priest's #gothichorror, It Was Her House First, in exchange for an honest review.

#ItWasHerHouseFirst is an enthralling #gothicfiction novel about a grieving woman who purchases a crumbling cliffside mansion with the payout she receives as the sole beneficiary on her brother's life insurance. What begins as a home restoration project, which incidentally Ronnie's brother Ben would have loved due to the nature of his work, results in not only disturbing accumulated detritus in the house, but also its murderous history and some of the inhabitants who haunt it. Beautifully written and expertly crafted, this modern-day #ghoststory belongs in the hands of all readers, not just those who have a predilection for the genre.

Upon reading the first chapter, I was genuinely concerned that I would be bored to tears and would need to slog through to write this review. I'm so glad I was wrong. I rarely ever say this, but I was truly blown away by this novel. How I have never stumbled across this author until now is beyond me. I will be remedying that shortly, once I finish this review.

This is not your typical haunted house story. While there are eerie, spooky, and sometimes gross elements, the horror aspect is more unsettling and suspenseful, as opposed to traditionally scary. There is also a healthy dose of dark humor to dispel some of the tension and brighten the mood.

The book is narrated by three characters, one living and two undead, as well as alternates between the present and the past, regaling the reader with two stories that blend together seamlessly by the conclusion. Although all three narrators are well developed, with distinct voices and unique traits, Ronnie the protagonist was the most intriguing by far. There was something so different and likeable about the character. Even her sense of humor felt special.

Before this review becomes too wordy (I could gush for another page or two), I'll cut to why the four and not five stars for such a rave review. Two brief reasons: Bart's chapters read a bit dull, and horror is subjective. While certainly creepy at times, there were a few passages that may have benefitted from an increased scare-factor. Regardless, the novel was refreshing and a pleasure to read. I highly recommend to anyone searching for something new and compelling.

A supernatural thriller where a literal haunted house might not be the deadliest thing new homeowner Ronnie must survive.

This was a fun read - told in two competing timelines of the current day and the 1930s - where we can slowly piece together how this decrepit house became the way it is - and how, exactly, it became haunted by ghosts. Ronnie, still struggling after the death of her brother and fighting her own OCD, uses the insurance money to purchase this (extreme) fixer-upper of a house. She’s told it might be haunted, and given many warnings about such “dangers” of the house - but, she’s determined to see her project through.

While renovating she finds the diary of silent film star Venita Ross, who chronicles her life up until the tragic death of her daughter. With both her and her daughter’s killer trapped in the house for the rest of eternity, Ronnie might not be able to trust anyone (or any ghost) she meets - lest she meet the same fate as every previous owner of the house. Coupled with someone whose interest in the house seems a bit more than natural, Ronnie has to depend on herself - and maybe even the ghosts themselves - to save both her and the house.

This was a fun read, and I loved how the story uses both timelines to slowly tell the full picture. A combination of a historical fiction and a supernatural thriller, this book ticks off many boxes of genres I really love and enjoy. Many aspects of this book reminded me of both Laura Purcell and Anna Mazzola, and I believe any fan of supernatural gothic horror would love this novel. My only issue is that I wish there was a bit more explanation about the deal and entity that Sloan made, but I understand the ambiguity being necessary to tell the story in a realistic way.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this e-ARC.

What a fun read! I’m a huge fan of houses that have a dark past or a history of unusual deaths, I find it makes for a creepier setting when your home which is usually a safe haven is turned into a potentially unsafe environment riddled with ghosts and hauntings.

What I also enjoyed about this book is the main character was unusual. She seemed to have some OCD tendencies which leaned towards the paranoid type which you understand when her recent past is explained. However when finding herself in an unorthodox potentially dangerous situation she seems to take to it really well and embrace it for what it is, I loved this aspect of personal character growth.

Another aspect I loved about this book was its use of various writing formats. We have multiple POV, dual timelines and journal entries.

I recommend reading if you enjoy:
Extreme home renovations / makeovers
A blend of historical fiction alongside present day
Haunted houses / ghosts
Mysteries and suspicious deaths
Quirky characters
A blend of writing formats

Thank you to Poisoned pen press and Cherie Priest for the earc!

Publish date: July 22nd 2025

The Drowning House was one of my favorite reads last year, so I was thrilled to get this early copy of Cherie Priest's new book. I absolutely adore her writing. There's just something so captivating about it that makes it hard to put down and I read about 60% of this book in one day. I love the humor and the atmosphere she evokes. The characters in It Was Her House First are awesome and so distinct. My favorite chapters were Venita's, though all of them were good. As much as I liked the story, I was a bit disappointed that the haunting wasn't spookier. I kept waiting for it to get creepy and it never did. Based on the title, I guess I expected the ghosts to be angrier about the new resident. Either way, this was still a fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I would highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

There is a reason why people call Cherie Priest one of the best horror writers of all time. This book proves it. Full of depth and emotional, the characters are amazing in this book. The plot was moving and the narrative smooth. The suspence had my heart thumping. It was just too good. Loved, loved loved it loads. This is a very easy favourite of the year for me!

It Was Her House First tells the story of Ronnie, a grieving woman who uses her inheritance to buy a run down mansion sight unseen. Her arrival stirs up more than just dust and decay, it awakens the spirits and fury of previous occupiers. The line between the living and the dead is blurred, and a visit from someone with a connection to the house sets a deadly game in motion.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it certainly won’t be the last! The scene setting in this is next level, it’s atmospheric and creates an amazing visual of this haunted mansion. Each and every character is written so well, there’s a clear distinction between the points of view and the different eras they’re from.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this advanced copy and for introducing me to a new author!

Ronnie is trying to mend a broken heart by restoring an old house. Unfortunately, for her, the house is already occupied by the ghost of its previous owner, a woman dangerous in life who has become even more sinister after death. If you’re a fan of haunted house thrillers then this is the book for you.

There are so many things I love about this book. From the characters both living and dead to the mysteries that unravel as Ronnie settles into her haunted home, "It Was Her House First" checks off the boxes for me with a compelling narrative that keeps your attention through its multiple POV's and fast-paced plot.

In this chilling supernatural thriller, the line between life and death blurs in a haunting cliffside mansion that has claimed countless victims. Ronnie Mitchell, a grieving woman, buys the decrepit house with plans to renovate, unaware of its bloody past. But the malevolent spirit of Venita Rost, a silent film star with a vengeful streak, has other plans. As Ronnie’s world unravels, she’s forced to confront both the deadly wrath of Venita and a living man with a secret tie to the mansion.

With atmospheric tension, unexpected twists, and a gripping mix of psychological suspense and supernatural terror, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. A must-read for fans of haunted houses and the eerie intersection between the living and the dead.