Member Reviews

Great short story by one of my favorite authors! Cannot wait for the next book. Even though a short story, it was packed full of suspense. 4 stars.

Was this review helpful?

A domestic suspense short story about a ghostwriter working with a wellness guru on her debut book. When the writer’s client connects her with a fabulous sublet apartment in New York City, it seems too good to be true. And it is. The short story was delightfully creepy and entertaining. I always enjoy reading Greer Hendricks’ work. Something fun to read when you have an hour or two and want to finish a whole book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I have a hard time rating and enjoying the condensed style of short stories especially this one being 49 pages! I wish it had been longer so the pacing could have been better.

I overall enjoyed reading this book, I liked the premise of a ghost writer getting to know her client and then also trying to solve a mysterious death in her apartment that’s been covered up. Interesting story line and could have been so much better if it were 150-200 pages instead of the short 49.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very well written short story that I was fully invested in as I read it. However, it just fell flat at the climax. I feel like the premise had the makings of a full length novel (or at least something twice as long as this) and it felt like the meat of the story had been stripped away for the sake of brevity. There was decent character development for such a short piece, but I felt like Melody could have been written as a more nefarious individual which would have amped up the tension. I don't read a ton of thrillers, so for me the plot twist was mostly a surprise. But the twist and the climax was all laid out too quickly and neatly, leaving me overall unsatisfied.

All that said, it was a quick and easy read and written well.

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting and suspenseful read about a young family lucking into a sublet in NYC that may be too good to be true. But who really lived there before them? What is behind the locked door? Who is hiding secrets?
Short stories can be harder because they have to get all the work done in a smaller space. This one was a little open-ended, which I don't usually like, but I filled in what was missing and was satisfied with the resolution. I didn't want to put it down

Was this review helpful?

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This story seemed interesting and then ended rather abruptly.

Was this review helpful?

Needed something different between romance novels, so I read this. It had a really good build up, strong characters, lots of suspense that carried the story to the ending. I was immersed quickly. Unfortunately the ending was way too abrupt and unrealistic. Suddenly, Melody and Anne's personalities seem switched and they act completely out of character. No one questions anything. It just ends. This needed to be a longer story because it has a lot of potential.

Was this review helpful?

At first, Anne's latest ghostwriting job seems like a godsend—good money, even if the deadlines are punishing, and connections that make it possible for her family to move into a more spacious apartment. It's not long, though, before the cracks start to show...and Anne knows she has to learn more.

This was a very quick short story—I read it on my lunch break. The basics of Anne's story will probably be widely relatable (too much work, not enough money, not enough space, not too much "second shift" work), and if I'm honest, I enjoy reading things about the darker side of influencers and the like (why, you ask? Excellent question; if you figure it out, let me know). Anne's client isn't an influencer, but she's in that general scammy "wellness" sphere.

Some short stories give the impression that they were originally tried out as novels—this is one of them. I have mixed feelings about the way the plot plays out and wonder whether this would be better suited to a longer format, a novella if not a novel. I would have loved a bit more build-up of the things going wrong, and the ending was rather puzzling. (Without giving anything away—does Anne think that nobody will notice the similarities?) The story hints at some supernatural elements, but a longer format would have been a chance to up the ante and have something...well, happen.

One to pick up if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription but probably wouldn't be one I'd actively seek out.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

I encountered an intriguing and complex story from Greer that left you wanting more. Short stories often pack a lot of information into a limited space, which can make them both engaging and challenging. The brevity requires authors to leave much to the reader's imagination, often resulting in an open-ended or ambiguous narrative. This can lead to multiple interpretations, which might explain a need to revisit the story. If you enjoyed the writing style and the plot, perhaps exploring more of Greer's work could be fulfilling, as she may expand upon similar themes in her longer pieces. Alternatively, discussions with others who have read the story might offer new perspectives and insights, helping to uncover the layers you felt were missing.

Was this review helpful?

A creepy, quick and fun read. I love everything Greer Hendricks writes and flew through this one! The characters had such depth for a short story.

Was this review helpful?

Greer Hendricks writes a short story about Anne,a ghostwriter who has taken a new job from Melody, a wellness entrepreneur. Melody gives Anne a lead on a Manhattan apartment for her and her family. Anne and her family move in, and she continues to work on the strict deadline for Melody’s book. However, something about the apartment discomforts Anne. Soon Anne exposes Melody’s lies.

This was average. There were some things that were a little confusing. I see why it is a short story and not a full length novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for a copy of this story.

Was this review helpful?

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I normally don't read short stories but I decided to give this one a try. It was just too condensed for me to enjoy. I feel like it would have been a good book if it was a full story.

Was this review helpful?

Ghostwriter Anne lands a huge new client, but juggling a home life with twins is taking a toll. When the new client, Melody, gives her a tip on a gorgeous new apartment, Anne and her husband jump at the opportunity, and can’t believe their good luck. But there’s some mystery about the former tenant and Anne’s dream apartment may be too good to be true. The Sublet is a fast-paced short story that works well in that format, with just enough intrigue to pique your interest and a quick wrap up. No mess, no fuss, a one-sitting afternoon read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a twisty, very short read from Greer. I feel like I need to read it again because I'm still not quite sure what happened there! I wish it had been a full length novel. I need more details!

Was this review helpful?

Another amazing thriller by Hendricks.
This short story is an intense thriller you will not want to put down!
Amazing story telling who weave prose and suspense together like it's her web.

Was this review helpful?

The Sublet by Greer Hendricks is a mini thriller. It started off really intriguing but the end seemed a little rushed. A quick and interesting read nonetheless.
I got a complimentary copy from Amazon Original Stories via Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

I read the story as a send up of wellness influencers, rental housing gone wrong and ghostwriting…three of my very favorite topics to skewer. Not sure what happened to the short story form there use to be something called One Story where you could subscribe and get a story a month..there also use to be literary magazines lots of them may we not forget. Given the decline of anything well written with the momentum of a plot I was
happy to spend an hour reading with focus. the family domestic scenes were fun…esp the twins left to there own devices with Pirates Booty and the
usual bickering via text. Three and a half plus plus stars because it isn’t Lauren Groff

Was this review helpful?

Quick short story. Really wasn’t much to it. It felt odd and slightly rushed. Maybe short stories just aren’t for me.

Was this review helpful?

I feel a little conflicted about this one. It was a quick read and obviously it’s a short story, but it felt a little too fast paced and rushed at the end. The beginning started off promising though and I liked the concept. The ending reveal just felt obvious and fast. Maybe this could’ve been stronger as a full length book?

Was this review helpful?

Overall promising premise and held my attention for the short time it took to read this short story. It felt like there was some untapped potential here, especially knowing how much I have loved some of the author’s full length novels. Regardless, glad to have read this but it probably isn’t one that will be on my mind for too long.

Was this review helpful?