Whoooie...that was a ride. I thought it was a really good premise for a book...within a book...it was cool.

I think I give it 4.5 stars and rounded up here to 5. It did get a little repetitive in spots, but I was never bored. I really had to know what exactly was going on.

I thought the author did a good job making me feel the unhinged and a little crazy way that Jewel was/felt. I was never completely sure if what she was doing or seeing was really happening or if she was imaging it. I wouldn't say 'fever dream,' but she definitely wrote it in a way that made you feel uneasy.

I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a horror book to make you feel a little uneasy and confused in a good way, this one will do it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC.

Holy moly, this is definitely my top 5 of the year and it is only March! I absolutely loved this book, and it was unhinged in the very best way possible. When her sister Diedre goes into a coma from a skin rash, her sister Jewel is there for her. When Diedre's publisher calls, Jewel says she will finish the manuscript as she is an author as well. There is something not quite right with the manuscript, and that is where this book takes it turn for the insane (again, in a horrifically great way!) I now feel I need to read Theme music by T. Marie Vandelly, which has been on my TBR for too long!

Before I say anything about this book, I need my horror fans to go add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY. ((And if you haven't added Theme Music yet, do that, too, because you've been slacking.))

Yes, it's early in the year, but An Evil Premise already has a strong claim to the Best Horror of 2025 Throne. The concept of the "book within a book" is expertly crafted here, with excerpts from the manuscript woven throughout, adding another incredible layer. Seeing fiction and reality blur for our protagonist makes this story so unsettling, and watching the pieces come together had me up all night so that I could binge this one from start to finish. If reading the preface alone doesn't hook you as a reader, then I dont know what will.

If you're not a fan of a slow burn, this may not be the book for you, but the payoff is so worth it. ((I love a good slow burn, and I think it adds to this particular story brilliantly, but I know it's not for everyone.)) But I would recommend this one for horror fans who like their unhinged characters with a side of possession and a sprinkle of light body horror. ((I'm also dishing out bonus points for creative kills.)) Come August 2025, I will absolutely be clutching a physical copy of this book in my greedy little gremlin hands, and I already can't wait to see what T. Marie Vandelly graces us with next!

((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and T. Marie Vandelly for this complimentary copy.))

5⭐️

This was an INSANE book, in the best possible way! With its unique plot, riveting twists and turns, and intriguing characters, this has got to be one of the best horror books I’ve ever read. This is definitely going to be the best horror book of the year for me! That ending?? Had my jaw on the floor.
I was so excited to receive the arc for this book because I read Vandelly’s other book, Theme Music, and loved it. This one was even better though.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Seriously super excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint! This was literally *chef’s kiss* from start to finish! This was such an unsettling, uber creepy, atmospheric read! A book about a book, but make it completely unhinged & shocking! Loved the MC & her sister, their back story, and well every single thing about this book. A MUST READ for any horror fan this year, and I know it’s early but I feel this will become one of the best horror novels of 2025.

Great book! Thank you for letting me read in advance. Couldn't put it down. I have to look up this author to see what else they have to offer now.

Wow! I loved this! I couldn’t put it down and read during every free second I could spare. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I’m not totally sure what to think about this one. I loved Theme Music and honestly, this didn’t measure up for me, but the ending was worth it. As I was reading I wasn’t sure where the story would go but I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Extremely thankful to receive this coveted ARC!!!! T. Marie Vandelly is as talented as they come. While I thought the story was a little bit repetitive (main character thinks she sees something, acts crazy, shakes it off and says “it’s nothing”), I was consistently drawn in and dying to know WTF IS GOING ON!!! The ending is worth the wait, and very satisfying IMO. Thank you again and happy reading to anyone who picks this up! 4 stars :)

Omg!!! This book was so unhinged in the best way possible!!! I loved it! Thank you so much NetGalley and publisher for arc copy!

Oh. My. Gosh. This book?? Absolutely unhinged in the best way possible. It’s creepy, it’s twisty, and it messes with your head in a way that had me side-eyeing my own laptop like… is it typing by itself??

The whole “book within a book” concept is chef’s kiss perfection, and the way reality and fiction start bleeding together?? CHILLS. Jewel is such a fascinating character—equal parts desperate, determined, and maybe just a little (a lot?) unwell. And don’t even get me started on the slow-burn horror of it all. That rash scene? Nope. Nope. Nope. But also, I couldn’t look away.

By the time I reached the final act, I was full-on clutching my Kindle, because every new reveal just made the story even wilder. It’s dark, it’s smart, and it’s one of those books that lingers in your brain long after you finish. Horror fans, trust me, you need this one on your shelf.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This is a fantastic, fun, twisty turny novel about madness, demonic possession, and some very unexpected reveals which will make your head spin.

Jewel is our protagonist and she races to a hospital at the beginning of this book because her sister, Deirdre, was hit by a car. Dierdre is a famous author and Jewel is a struggling self published writer. There's tension between them from the starts. But Dierdre is in a coma and covered with a disgusting rash.

Jewel finds out that Dierdre was finishing a horror novel and decides to finish it for her to meet her agents deadline. What happens next is a fever dream of possession, obsession, paranoi, and lots of bloodshed as the manuscript seems to write itself using real people as characters to kill in extremely brutal ways.

But there's a lot more going on and, as the book progresses, we're going to discover some things which completely turns the story on it's head and makes yours do the same! It's so much fun.

I absolutely loved this novel. The characters are great, the secrets reveal themselves throughout, and by the end you'll be reading wide eyed and with your mouth dropping to the floor. I highly recommend this one.

Screaming, crying, throwing up. First of all, because I received this ARC. Second of all, because this author KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK AGAIN. If you didn’t read Theme Music (you’re wrong but okay) you’ve missed this author and that’s a shame.

Now into the book itself. I could not put it down. The characters are great, the story is insane, and you almost feel a part of the tension. Parts of a manuscript have been added to the story and they are PERFECT inclusions that make the novel even more amazing. This is already going on my top horror of 2025. I even liked it more than Theme Music.

Lastly I’ll just say that I think everyone should read this okay? As soon as it’s published (August 2025). I’ll see you in line for it; because I can’t wait to have this one in my hands.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC (seriously, bottom of my heart)