The House on Cold Creek Lane

Publication date: August 6th, 2024
Page count: 346
Genre: thriller
Setting: NJ suburbs and FL
POV: multiple

Laurel and her husband Rob move into a new home with their young family. Laurel’s mother’s killer has just been released from prison. This, and some things happen in the house/neighborhood that Laurel isn’t comfortable, and Rob is not particularly empathetic. Which neighbors can she trust?

Corey is trying to cope with the death of her young daughter, and seems to be the only one to believe that it wasn’t an accident.

How are these women connected? Will their paths cross?

I enjoyed this book, and will be reading more by this author! The story was methodically and skillfully built. It was difficult to guess how it would all come together- which added to the motivation already there to keep reading!

Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced copy. This is an honest voluntary review.

Laurel and Rob give up their crowded apartment to move to a cute suburban Cape. Note that Rob buys the house before Laurel sees it, claiming to take pressure off her because she’s dealing with a three year old and a newborn. Laurel is a shy, non assertive young woman, forever damaged by her mother’s murder when she was twelve. Rob encourages her to make friends, join groups and invite other mothers over for a meal. She does, with mixed results. An older woman who lives across the street seems prying and critical but Addie, who lives next door, becomes a true friend.

Corey is adrift in Florida. After her daughter’s death and her divorce, she has moved in with her mother in a Florida retirement community. Still grieving her daughter, she is stuck in a world of anger, with pain that is only lessened by reckless behavior.

As Rob urges Laurel to prepare for his sister’s wedding, Corey is pressured to move out of the condo because of age restrictions. The tensions affecting both woman grow and move inexorably to unexpected disaster.

The House on Cold Creek Lane is my first mystery by Liz Alderman and it will definitely not be my last. The sad puzzle that is this domestic thriller moves slowly, alternating between the voices of Laurel and Corey. Both women feel the isolation of suburban communities, the gossip that fills social gatherings and the loneliness of grief. As the plot moves toward an inevitable conclusion, you feel their despair. The House on Cold Creek Lane will stay with you long after you have read the final page. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House and Liz Alderman for this ARC.

You know when a thriller is good when you look at the clock and realize it's 90 minutes past your normal bedtime and you're still reading.

This happened with The House on Cold Creek Lane, a quintessential domestic suspense thriller filled with all the expected and unexpected tropes so beloved by thriller fans.

In this story there are two female main characters (1st person pov's): Laurel and Corey. Both of them are grieving losses and are connected through a Cape Cod-style house in New Jersey.

Corey used to live there.

Laurel just moved in.

This simple yet intriguing set-up swiftly morphs into a scary, suspenseful plot. Why did Corey move out of the house and is now living in Florida in the guest room of her mother's condominium? Why is Laurel not quite comfortable in her new home and what's up with the neighbors? On one side is a sweet old lady who wants nothing more than to help watch over Laurel's young kids. On the other side is Addie: single, beautiful and snarky--exactly the kind of friend Laurel needs, especially since Laurel's husband Rob is being a bit of a dick lately.

We go back in forth between both women as they deal with their personal ghosts from the past, an ever-rising terror shadowing them along the way.

Alterman writes like a pro--I totally related to her depictions of motherhood, daughterhood, and the oft-times fraught foray into trying to make new friends in a new hood. Her dialogue rocks. She's also very funny at times.

This was a great read.

This was one that I requested on NG on a whim as soon as I saw it. I loved this book so much. Liz has an amazing ability to weave together a remarkable book full of scandal, deception and lies. I love a good Neighbourhood Drama read. This was full of characters I loathed and loved. This was a super fast and propulsive read. Amazing book Liz! ALL the Stars!

When Laurel and Rob West move into their dream home in suburban New Jersey, Laurel has no idea that this house has a dark history. Fully occupied with managing their two young children, she has little time to make proper friends in the neighbourhood, even if she had been a better fit with some of the other mothers.

Ironically, it is Addie, their single, childless neighbour that Laurel hits it off best with, since she also begins to wonder if the single mother in their neighbourhood, Zoe, in fact has designs on her husband Rob.

On top of all this, she is struggling with her suspicions about her elderly neighbour, Marian, who has charmed both Laurel's husband and her young son, but is deeply critical towards Laurel's skills (or lack thereof) as a mother.

If Laurel knew what the previous occupant of their home, Corey, had been through thanks to the neighbour(s) she would probably pack her bags right away. Rob, meanwhile,has little patience with what he consider his wife's paranoia. But Corey is debating whether or not to warn Laurel to watch out...

This was a complex and highly readable story, with plenty of twists. The characters are well-drawn for the most part, but I disliked Rob and his family immensely, finding his sister and mother borderline caricatures of their roles. Corey and Laurel are, however, easy to relate to, tragic as their circumstances may be.

I figured out the key villain, but not the final twist. Enjoyable and worth a read. It gets 3.5 stars from me, just missing 4 stars because Rob and his family were so incredibly unsympathetic as characters. Readers who don't mind that will give it 4 stars, so I've rated it accordingly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you NetGalley, Severn House, and Liz Alterman. I was anxious through every turned page. I found myself wanting to read more of Laurel in the beginning because Corey was so damn depressing! And who wouldn’t take anxious over depressed. But once that half way to .75 percent of the book hit, I was over Rob and wanted happiness for Corey. I did predict some stuff but the ending isn’t clear until it’s there and you’re so excited for it to play out that you really don’t care. Fabulous ending! I enjoyed the inclusion of the book club discussion questions and thought on them as well. All good questions to ponder on.

I really liked this book! While I did guess parts of the plot/twist ahead of time, I still thought it was good. It was an easy, fun read with plenty of characters you will love to hate! As far as domestic thrillers go, this is one you should definitely add to your TBR list. 4.5⭐️s rounded up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an ARC of this novel.

The House on Cold Creek Lane by Liz Alterman

“OK, this is so much bigger than Pinot Grigio. We’re going straight to scotch.”

When Laurel was twelve, her mom was murdered. Days before Christmas. She’s tiptoed through life on eggshells ever since, always a little skittish, restless, and skeptical. Her husband, Rob, the eternal optimist, views the world—and everyone in it—as one big, happy opportunity.

Rob snaps up their new home on Cold Creek Lane without Laurel touring it. Despite languishing on the market with no buyer interest, he thinks the house will be the perfect place to settle down and raise their family.

I zipped through Liz Alterman’s latest thriller, with all its twists and turns and broken characters with their issues and dark sides. Don’t we all have those dark moments in our lives? Attempting to protect our children or spouses or parents or ourselves, we don’t recognize who we’ve become. We step back and wonder, What in the world am I doing?

Liz, who has won awards for her young adult fiction, is a master at seamlessly weaving storylines and keeping readers guessing until the bitter end. The book includes questions for group discussions, and Liz is available to meet with book clubs via Zoom.

How fun would THAT be to discuss this novel or her 2022 book, The Perfect Neighborhood, with this author?!

This was my first by this author, and definitely NOT my last.

I love a good disturbed book about suburbia. We NEVER know what goes on behind closed doors.

Rob West has bought a home in New Jersey without his wife Laurel seeing it. She is on bed rest as she is about to give birth. The house was a STEAL.

Neighbors are watching their children, and give them extra attention.

The other story line involves Corey Sutton who has ties to the area. She used to live in laurel and Rob's home.

What do these women have in common? What secrets are the neighbors harboring? As a mother some parts were hard to read.

The final twist created angst for me.

Kudos to Liz Alterman for The House on Cold Creek Lane. This was quite the domestic thriller and I couldn't wait to see what happened at the end. The story is written in 2 main character's POV's. We have Corey and Laurel. They are tied together by the white cape cod house in New Jersey. Corey is currently living in Florida in her mom's guest room. Laurel and family have just moved into the home on Cold Creek Lane. Both have suffered tremendous losses are are trying to get their lives in order. Laurel is married to Rob and he's quite the annoying husband. She's made a few mistakes with the kids and he watches over her like a hawk. On one side of Laurel lives an older woman who bakes treats and has become very friendly with Laurel's son. On the other side lives single and fun Addie, just the kind of friend Laurel has been looking for.

The story goes back and forth between the 2 main characters. They do not know each other, but their paths will intertwine. The characters are done so well, I felt like I knew them. This was a fast paced page turner that kept me interested every moment. I cannot wait for the author's next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Seven House for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. I highly recommend this book.

I have never read anything by Liz Alterman but I will check out her other books.

I devoured this book from page 1. I was hooked right from the beginning. I loved the plot. Didn't like all the characters but that's a given. I enjoyed the twists and even though I figured out the last twist it didn't ruin the story for me. A definite recommend.

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

4.5 round up! This book was incredible! I would read it on my kindle during preschool nap time and found myself wanting more after each chapter. Hard to put down! The character development was incredible. The storyline and how it all wraps together is just so so good!! Definitely a top 5 in my book for 2024! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

This was my first book from NetGalley. It definitely had a great plot. I was able to figure out some of the twists and turns but that didn't make it any less entertaining. Overall it was a good read and moved quickly.The characters were a little annoying at times. I didn't need to hear about Laurel's breasts leaking every time her baby cried and I totally get it Addie smells like peaches. Those repetitive things were rather irritating. This is my first book by Liz Alterman and I will definitely try a few of her others. Thanks NetGalley and Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this.

𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝑹𝒐𝒃 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒆--𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒆'𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒕--𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓? 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍?

The lives of two women converge in this explosive domestic thriller that centers around the fierce bonds of motherhood.

Laurel and Rob have just moved into their new home on Cold Creek Lane. Because she was recovering from a C-section, Laurel only saw the house through a screen. She's kept busy with a newborn and a four-year-old, but she's never recovered from losing her mother suddenly at the age of 12. Her husband definitely did not endear himself to me at all as he seemed nonchalant about his wife's tragic loss and how it's affecting her still today. He grew up privileged with doting parents and is worlds away from Laurel's childhood.

Laurel feels completely bulldozed by everyone in her life, including her new neighbor Marian, who makes snide remarks about her parenting. So when another neighbor, Addie, offers friendship and an understanding ear, Laurel jumps at the chance to be someone other than wife and mom, and she becomes content with her tribe of one.

Meanwhile Corey is drifting. Recently divorced and struggling with a tragic loss, she is living in her mother's retirement condo until a resident balks. Lost, with no support and no friends, Corey is determined to seek out the source of her loss. And she knows exactly where to find it.

This was an absolutely stunning portrayal of the ups and downs of motherhood; its bleakest moments spilled out onto the pages with no filters or apologies, and mixed with the ferocity of a mother protecting her young, all culminated into one explosive climax that will have you seized by the throat until the very last word.

I'm thrilled to promote this book as a member of Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse. This title will release August 6, 2024.

✨Spoiler Free Review✨

Title- The House On Cold Creek Lane by @lizalterman
Rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@lizalterman new book The House on Cold Creek Lane is a hot topic over here at @thrillerbookloversthepulse. The House on Cold Creek Lane is a haunting thriller that explores the darkest aspects of motherhood, grief, and loss, and the unsettling lengths people will go to protect their own. With a gripping dual narrative, the novel is a true page-turner that will keep readers up at night, eager to uncover the truth.

Synopsis-
When Laurel and Rob West move into their new home in New Jersey, it seems too good to be true. But Laurel can’t shake off her old feelings of anxiety. The neighbour who pays far too much attention to the Wests’ two young children . . . Rob watching her every miss step . . . and there’s something people aren’t telling her about this house . . .

I promised myself I wouldn’t go to that neighborhood again. Not that street. Not so soon. But I couldn’t help it. They made it too easy.

Corey Sutton is trying to outrun her past. Recently divorced and reeling from a devastating loss, she moves into her widowed mother’s retirement condo in Florida. Everyone says she just needs some time to recover and rebuild . . . but is Corey beyond saving? She wants answers. And there’s very little she won’t do to get them.

Though Laurel and Corey have never met, the women have something in common, and if they’re not careful, it may just destroy them both.

That plot twist at the end 👏🏽👏🏽

The countdown begins for the release of this incredible book on August 6, 2024.

Thank you @lizalterman and @severnhouseimprint for this advanced copy✨

A solid 4 stars. This book holds you from the moment you pick it up. It is a bit predictable I must say.
But it is does give a good glimpse into motherhood. It’s does make you realize that suburbia isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. You never know what really happens behind closed doors and ppl aren’t always who you expect them to be. If you want a quick read that will keep your attention this is definitely a great book for you.

Honestly I’d give this 3.5 stars but rounded up. I really liked the overall plot, but some of the characters were so damn unlikable that it made me not want to read the dang book! I also had the ending pinned from about halfway through, but that’s on me for reading way too many thrillers; I swear nothing surprises me anymore. Overall it was a decent read.

When Laurel and Rob move into their new home on Cold Creek Lane with their two young children, they have high hopes of creating beautiful memories there. However, Rob found the house without Laurel’s input and they had no idea about the tragic loss that the previous owners experienced while living in the home. Shortly after moving in and meeting the neighbors, Laurel experiences some strange things and Rob continuously dismisses her concerns as paranoia.

Meanwhile, Corey, the previous resident of the home, is grieving the loss of her young daughter, Frankie. She is struggling to cope and is determined to prove that her daughter’s death was no accident. When she realizes that there are new owners living in her old house, she struggles with what to do about it. Should she warn them?

I really enjoyed this book! I loved how it was told through dual points of view with Laurel and Corey’s stories ultimately colliding and making for one crazy and unexpected ending! I figured out the main twist but it didn’t matter because the way everything played out was definitely a surprise and the final few twists had my jaw on the floor. I know it’s a good book when I find myself mentally yelling at the characters because it’s just one bad decision after the next!
This book has made me a fan of Liz Alterman and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

This was such a fast paced read, with multiple POVs that made this read even more enjoyable. I couldn’t put this one down at all and so many times I really wanted to strangle Rob!!! This was my first book of Liz Alterman and it was really good! Most definitely, must add this one to your TBR!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the advanced reader copy!

Wow! What a roller coaster from Liz Alterman! I loved A Perfect Neighborhood, so I was eager to read her latest, due out this August. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Laurel and Rob West and their toddler and newborn move to a new home in New Jersey — a home they were able to snap up even in a tough real estate market. Rob is eager for Laurel to make friends and create a suburban social life for them — but Laurel is an introvert by nature and is exhausted caring for two young children. And as she gets to know her neighbors, there are definitely some that make her uncomfortable. Meanwhile, in Florida, Corey Sutton is living with her widowed mother in a senior complex, working a dead end job and drinking herself to sleep in the wake of a terrible tragedy. Although Laurel and Corey have never met, they have something in common…

I love domestic suspense and the concept of all the secrets behind closed doors in superficially quiet suburban neighborhoods, and Alterman is a master at the genre. I couldn’t stop turning pages, and while some of my suspicions were correct, I loved the way the story spun out. It was perfectly paced, and definitely held some big surprises. Highly recommend!

It’s my first book by Liz Alterman, and I am not disappointed. Great book, kept me intrigued throughout! Plenty of suspense and dry humor… I would recommend for any psychological fiction fan, and I will be reading more from this author.

While thankful for the chance to read this book, it took me 3 weeks to finish it. If it had started out as good as it ended, I'd have finished it in days, not weeks. The beginning felt a little repetitive. I didn't like reading the constant gaslighting of each other. The ending, however, was great. I finished the last 20% in one setting. I couldn't put it down and needed to finish it. For that reason, I give this book 3.5 stars. I'd still recommend it to others, because the ending pulled this book together and gave it what was needed to keep the reader's interest. I will be posting a review shortly to my IG and FB.

Laurel and Rob West and their small children are moving into their new home in New Jersey, but it isn’t the idyllic suburban dream Laurel thought it would be. One elderly neighbor seems like a sweet grandmotherly type, but her comments to Laurel are always double-edged. Single mom Zoey seems a little too flirty with Rob for Laurel’s taste. At least Laurel’s got one friend in her next-door neighbor Addie to share snark and cocktails with.

We also get the POV of another woman named Corey. Corey is living with her mother in a retirement community in Florida, recently divorced and mired in grief. What happened to her is a bit of a mystery… does she have a connection to Cold Creek Lane?

Liz Alterman came onto my radar with Perfect Neighborhood and it’s clear she’s one to watch when it comes to neighborhood noir! The House on Cold Creek Lane is not only suspenseful but filled with razor-sharp insight about new motherhood, which is a favorite domestic suspense theme of mine. This book was such a great read – full of mystery, misdirection, and gaslighting. There’s a palpable undercurrent of darkness running just below the surface of the plot that fed my anxiety and kept me hooked throughout. The big reveal was a surprise and the conclusion was so satisfying! No wonder all of us at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse are raving about this one!

This book was intense! But a good intense. We all ate this book up over at @thrillerbookloversthepulse! This multiple POV thriller takes place on Cold Creek Lane, a place I don't want to live 🤭, and follows a family who has just moved in and their neighbors. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that the amount of times my jaw dropped was uncountable. There are two female main characters who by the end of the book, will have their lives intertwined in the best, or worst, ways. This is one of those books where you're pretty certain you have it all figured out, only to have whiplash when it's revealed that not all is as it seems. I highly recommend this book, you're not going to want to miss out!

Thank you to @netgalley, Severn House and Liz Alterman for an ARC!

You ever wanted to reach into a book and just smack some of the characters silly? Well, that's how I felt throughout most of this one.
Laurel has just had their second child, recovering from a c section, dealing with sleepless nights, and on top of it all is moving into a new home. Her husband Rob somehow manages to undermine her and belittle her every chance he gets. When Laurel tells Rob she's worried about the nosy next door neighbour, he calls her paranoid and refuses to acknowledge her feelings. He continuously makes Laurel feel like she is going crazy. The way I wanted to take a swing at that man is not healthy. Honestly, men in thrillers are the worst.
Meanwhile, the previous tenant of their new home, Corey, is dealing with a loss that has taken over her life. She swears someone else was to blame and is determined to put it right.
I really enjoyed this one, despite the fact that aside from a handful of characters, the rest were all incredibly unlikeable. I'd correctly predicted some of the twists, but it didn't take away from the story, as I sat with my heart in my throat, waiting for the worst to happen.
Another new to me author that I can't wait to read more from.

I loved Liz Alterman's previous novel The Perfect Neighborhood, and I feel like I have been waiting forever for a new release from her. So, I wasn't wasting any time starting The House on Cold Creek Lane, and I'm glad I didn't! I was hooked from the very first page and I wish I would have had more time to read it because it would have been an easy one-sitting read. The story alternates between Laurel and Corey and each one brings something different to the table. I HATED Laurel's husband Rob and was upset I had to wait the entire book for her to get a backbone, but things worked out in a very pleasing way for me, so I was finally happy.

I think I liked Corey's viewpoint the most, and even though I really wanted her to work through her grief differently (support group or therapy), she was well-fleshed out and felt so real and relatable. I especially enjoyed her no-nonsense personality and her bluntness. I loved the way Alterman ended up tying the two storylines together, and even though I had an inkling of what was going on, I still got a couple of fantastic twists. There are certain parts I wish would have ended a bit differently (one real one), but it was quite the climax and left me feeling satisfied. The House on Cold Creek Lane had lots of foreshadowing which I loved and was tense the entire way through. My new favorite from Alterman!

I really enjoyed this book!

This was my first book from this author and it won’t be my last! She did a great job with the unreliable characters, it was very well written with a satisfying ending.

It shows the struggle and the grief, not to mention the loss, the new motherhood insights, and how far would you go to protect your family.

I was hooked since the first chapter, after half way through it, things got even better.

I really enjoyed this domestic thriller and I definitely recommend.

Thank you very much to NetGalley Severn House and Liz Alterman for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Publication Day 08/06/2024.

#TheHouseOnColdCreekLane #NetGalley
Wow!!!
When Laurel and Rob West move into their new home in New Jersey, it seems too good to be true. But Laurel can't shake off her old feelings of anxiety. The neighbor who pays far too much attention to the Wests' two young children . . . Rob watching her every misstep .. and there's something people aren't telling her about this house . I promised myself I wouldn't go to that neighborhood again. Not that street. Not so soon. But I couldn't help it. They made it too easy. Corey Sutton is trying to outrun her past. Recently divorced and reeling from a devastating loss, she moves into her widowed mother's retirement condo in Florida. Everyone says she just needs some time to recover and rebuild . . . but is Corey beyond saving? She wants answers. And there's very little she won't do to get them. Though Laurel and Corey have never met, the women have something in common, and if they're not careful, it may just destroy them both
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for giving me an advance copy.

I really enjoyed this one. As an overprotective stay at home mom of two, I was able to connect and sympathize with our main character, Laurel, and man did I want to wrap my hands around her husband’s neck! It definitly had me filled with anticipation and dread, and I couldn’t wait to see how this all played out. I wanted better for our other main character Corey, but I understood why the end went the way it did. I will say that for me, the twist was very predictable and kind of a bummer because I wanted a bit more, but overall I really enjoyed this one and flew through it in two sittings. Thanks to Severn House for my eARC. The House on Cold Creek Lane will be published 8/6.

First of all, huge thank you to @lizalterman for letting us @thrillerbookloversthepulse readers get the ARC of this. I was not ready for the wild ride you had us on for this one!

I have never read anything by Liz, but I quickly downloaded The Perfect Neighborhood after reading this. He’ll Be Waiting will be my next purchase.

I consumed this book. I could not put it down. I had full blown conversations with my kindle while reading this. I was angry, I was shocked, I was wanting to jump in my kindle & shake some of these characters. It. Was. Amazing.

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read. It does not disappoint. The writing is excellent & the ending was NUTS!!

I HIGHLY recommend this one. I honestly loved it so much-I might need a physical copy for my bookshelf.

Thank you Liz! You are incredibly talented!

This fast-paced, dual-perspective thriller will have you racing through the pages!

The story follows Laurel, a mother with a toddler and new baby, struggling with the overwhelming pressure to create a perfect family life. They just moved into a house on Cold Creek Lane and Laurel has a growing sense that something isn't right. Her anxieties are fueled by a husband who dismisses her concerns. I remember how isolating it could be with young children and I think the author captured this perfectly. We also meet Corey, a woman grappling with a devastating loss. She was the previous resident of the home on Cold Creek Lane and believes the loss of her daughter was no accident. Corey's grief felt raw and genuine, making her a character you can't help but root for despite her flaws.

While I wasn't surprised by every twist, the well-developed characters and Liz Alterman's smooth writing kept me hooked. I will definitely seek out her other books. If I wasn't too busy with work and kids sports, I would have easily finished this in one day.

The House on Cold Creek Lane weaves Laurel and Corey's stories together, culminating in a crazy conclusion where their paths intertwine. If you're searching for a quick and engaging read that delves into the complexities of family, loss, and the fierce protectiveness of motherhood, The House on Cold Creek Lane is a must-add to your bookshelf.

This book is buzzin’ over at @thrillerbookloversthepulse and for good reason!
I was hooked and it kept me up way past my bedtime. It follows two females POV. Laurel and Corey. Corey used to live at that house and Laurel just moved in with her family. Laurel is dealing with postpartum and her husband is someone I wanted to punch.
Corey is dealing with a traumatic loss that has taken over her life.
I really enjoyed this story and how it came together. This was my first by this author and definitely won’t be my last!

Why was the house Rob bought for his family such a steal? 

Domestic thrillers are always favorites for me. I love a good suburban setting where the characters are always harbouring big secrets and all is not what it seems. Told from dual POV's, we follow the story of two women, Laurel and Corey. How these stories intertwine will leave you gasping! This was such an amazing book. I was riveted as I read and didn't dare put it down because I was so engrossed. If you love thrillers, you need to get your hands on a copy of this.

HOLY MOLY WHAT DID I JUST READ?! Literally finished this in about 6 hours. This was so completely addicting, I felt like my eyes were popping out of my head and the anxiety was REAL. There were quite a few twists and while I had an idea about one of them it didn’t go the way I expected it to at all. Do me a favor and ADD THIS to your TBR immediately.

THANK YOU to the author and @thrillerbookloversthepulse for letting me get my hands on this one!! OBSESSED.

😡 T H R E A T E N I N G T H U R S D A Y 😡 featuring “The House on Cold Creek Lane” by Liz Alterman!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

This haunting story is told from the perspectives of two women, Corey and Laurel. They have never met before, but they are bound together by a house in New Jersey that hides many dark secrets.

Corey is suffering from a loss that has turned her world upside down. She is down on her luck from it and living back at home as an adult with her suffocating mother. She is formulating a plan and putting it together piece by piece, no matter who or what turns into collateral.

Laurel has just had a second baby and her husband Rob finds them their “dream” family home. Laurel never got a chance to visit the house before purchase and just took Rob’s word for it. But since moving in, Laurel feels something OFF about the house, the neighbourhood and her new neighbours.

Both main characters are struggling with a past traumatic loss that follows them around like a shadow. Both women have questions … and nobody wants to give them answers.

HOT DAMN, do I ever love a creepy domestic thriller that is brimming to the rim with haunting secrets, juicy scandal and sketchy unreliable characters! I stayed up super late on a few nights because I just couldn’t get enough! At times my anxiety was through the roof with all the twists and shocking turn of events! Bravo! 🙌

Thank you kindly to @lizalterman @severnhouseimprint @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on August 6, 2024!

Laurel and her husband Rob move into a new home with their three year old Jasper and newborn Poppy. Little does she know the house has a past.Laurel is dealing with the recent prison release of her mother's killer. She has made some mistakes and her overbearing and gaslighting husband wants her to be more like his mother to socialize and make friends. Their neighbor Marian is an older grandmotherly woman who tells Laurel how to raise her children. Laurel is suspicious of her but her husband and son love her. On the other side is Addie, single, young and fun. Just what she needs in a friend.

Corey moves into her mother's retirement community condo. Divorced and trying to recover from her daughter's death, she is the only one that believes it wasn't an accident. She has her suspicions and is determined to find the truth.

This domestic thriller moves at a steady pace, alternating between the voices of Laurel and Corey. I didn't like Rob or his family. The character development was great and the way the two story lines intertwined was so good. It is a story of motherhood and what you would do to protect your family. The ending was so intense I was holding my breath until the last sentence.

Thank you @lizalterman @netgalley
And the publisher for the ebook.

This was one wild ride. I was hooked from the beginning. I love all the neighborhood drama and sketchy neighbors. This one also explores the darkness of motherhood with an unreliable narrator. The ending was so unexpected and I thought maybe I read it wrong, so I had to read it again. Holy Moly!

This is one thriller not to miss!

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a rollercoaster of a read and I was hooked from the very beginning! Intense domestic thriller and wonderfully written!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What a phenomenal book! I loved the writing. The multiple points of view were confusing sometimes but merged together perfectly by the end. Some predictable moments but also plenty of surprises too. Right up to the ending. The ending was perfect!
I also listened to the audiobook version as well.
Both are phenomenal!

This domestic suspense book was precision. It is told in two women’s point of view: the current (Laurel) and the past (Corey) residents of the house on Cold Creek Lane.

There is a nice use of foreshadowing in Laurel’s story. Corey’s story gives a glimpse at the blow back of tragedy. In my opinion, both women have really annoying husbands which added a nice bridge between women.

I loved the ending.

This book is a character-driven, suspenseful, and twisted tale that's perfect for a single sitting because it has that devourable quality. Laurel's struggles with motherhood come across as real. I'm sure mothers out there who struggled with a pair of young children will feel for her. I liked the addition of the creepy neighbor paying way too close attention to her kids, and the husband being so dismissive and genuinely unlikeable. Then you add in Corey's perspective with her emotional struggles, and the connection between the two women that you're waiting to see play out. I would definitely recommend this one for fans of domestic suspense and thrillers.

Wow! Extremely Well written slow burn domestic thriller! Not slow burn in a bad way at all, but in a way that really builds the plot and characters and in a way that makes the plot and twist. I was interested from the first page and kept on reading, and slow burns are normally not my style, but the author writes so well that you just go through the pages and are kept interested the whole time.
The way the two stories and POV’s melt together was so well written and digs deep into mothermood, relationships and friendships and how they effect people, their life and their desicions
This was my frist time reading this Author, but it will not be the last!
Thanks to NetGalley, Severn House and Liz Alterman for this ARC

This book caught my attention immediately. I was drawn in and could not put it down until I knew what happened to the two main characters, Corey and Laurel. Both mothers, both connected to Cold Creek Lane, and both dealing with unimaginable pain. Liz Alterman builds the suspense adding in nosey characters, mothers trying to help, husbands that made me want to scream, and the joys of juggling everything and being a mom you can be proud of.

Laurel’s husband Rob discovers the adorable little house on Cold Creek Lane. It is everything they have dreamed of, or so he tells Laurel. Since she is on bed rest and cannot physically see it. They move in once their new daughter is born. Laurel is dealing from trauma from her childhood, having a newborn, and a husband that I wanted to strangle. Rob irritated me beyond words. Corey is living with her mom and working at a garden center. She is trying to move past an unimaginable horror that happened. She is angry all the time. Wanting to punish herself and brings down everyone around her. What do these two women have in common?

I loved this book! It is fast paced, held my attention, and the characters are fantastically written! You know all the players that have taken part in both Laurel and Corey’s lives. You just do not know how it all comes together and that is the best! I loved it and that ending! Thank you to Liz Alterman and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for my gifted copy!

The House on Cold Creek Lane by Liz Alterman. Thanks to the author for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Laurel and Rob’s new home and neighborhood seem to good to be true. Laurel feels there’s something about the home no one’s telling her and there’s a neighbor taking too much interest in her family.

This is the perfect summer suburban thriller! I did figure out one of the twists early on but enough was left until the end that it did not affect my enjoyment at all. There was a tragic backstory that was the basis of the plot but the full story was not revealed until the end. The story follows two women who are emotionally breaking down in different ways, with different results. There are some seriously unlikeable characters. This is a hard book to put down!

“That’s the thing about choices, you don’t know which will be the one that blows your world apart until you’re trying to piece it back together.”

The House on Cold Creek Lane comes out 8/3.

I was very impressed with this book, so much so I will be looking to read more of her work. Love a book thats unpredictable and this one certainly was. The ending made the book for me. Well done.

This is my first time reading one of Liz Alterman's books, and she's convinced me to try another! If you haven't read her work, "The House on Cold Creek Lane" is a great place to start.

It's packed with clever twists and compelling characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The dual narration by Laurel and Corey, two individuals linked by a strange coincidence, adds intense edginess. Laurel is desperately trying to protect her family from an unseen danger, while Corey is seeking justice for a horrid event that authorities dismissed as an accident.

If you love a good thriller, it's a must-read. It's the kind of novel that makes you question everyone around you... and maybe you should!

Thanks to Severn House/Dreamscape Media for the advanced reading copies provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheHouseOnColdCreekLane #LizAlterman #NetGalley #SevernHouse #DreamscapeMedia #AudiobookReview

Packed to the brim with suspicious characters, dastardly deeds, and a slowly unrolling plot, The House on Cold Creek Lane filled me with dread. And while this tale of domestic suspense mixed nicely with a neighborhood drama, it was the gaslighting and misdirection that utterly turned my head. Step by step, I reveled in how this storyline had them all walking toward an unthinkable end.

As for the characters, they were all thoroughly unlikeable. Two, in fact, had me itching to shake them good and hard. From a belittling husband to his spineless wife, both of them hit the mark with their irritating behavior. That’s not to say that I was turned off of this book in the slightest. Oh no. Their action—or inaction—totally got my blood boiling. And, IYKYK, but only the best authors seem to manage to pull that feat off.

The only fly in the ointment was my ability to see through the twists. Now how much of that was merely down to my insatiable love of all things thriller and suspense, I’ll never know. Despite that, however, the multiple mysteries and unreliable narrators kept my fingers flying. So while I managed to work it all out, it just might be perfect for anyone looking for an utterly chilling novel. Especially if you’re new to the genre.

By the end of this slow burning plot, I was delighted by the eventually cascade of dead bodies. With plenty of foreboding and just enough suspense to whet my appetite, it’s clear as can be that Ms. Alterman nailed it in one. It’s also unsurprising why all of my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been raving about this dark and twisted tale. After all, I did inhale it in just a single sitting. Rating of 4 stars.

Thank you to Liz Alterman, Severn House, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #SevernHouse for the book #TheHouseOnColdCreekLane by #LizAlterman. Rob and Laurel have moved into a new house on Cold Creek Lane and the neighbors are not really normal. There is the old lady who is very opinionated about their kids, the flirty neighbor and the overly nice neighbor. Corey used to live on the same house. She knows the neighbors very well and blames one of them for her daughter’s death. Corey and Laurel have never met, but maybe they one can save the other. What a wonderful, suspenseful book!

Thank you to Liz Altemann, Savern House and Netgalley for the ARC!

When Laurel and Rob West find their home at a great price, it seems to good to be true. Nestled on Cold Creek Lane, Laurel tries to adjust to the new house and neighborhood. With a new baby and an active toddler, things are stressful enough but now add on Laurel’s elderly neighbor who pays WAY too much attention to her kids, plus her husband’s micromanaging ways and Laurel is at the edge of her rope. When she meets Addie, she is happy for a friend. Meanwhile, Corey is struggling on the other side of town for all that she has lost. These women don’t know each other but they have something in common…

I was thrilled to hear this book being chatted about with my friends at The Pulse - I have loved Liz Altermann’s previous books and couldn't wait to get into this one too! The pacing of this story was perfect and I finished reading it in a day while on vacation - I found myself grabbing my kindle every spare minute to read and see what was going on with these people! I can relate a lot to Laurel, and remember those feelings of “new” motherhood to your second child quite well. Your emotions are all over the place and you’re trying to hang onto some semblance of yourself while balancing two little people that very much need you. Poor Laurel had zero support system - with her nagging husband, passive aggressive mother-in-law and now Marion, the neighbor who just wont stop butting into her life, it’s no wonder she was so tired.

Then there’s Corey, another woman, in a totally different place in her life. My heart broke for her; I can’t imagine myself in her place, but without giving any spoilers, I felt like her emotional state was just written SO well. This was one of those stories where I truly had NO idea how the two storylines were going to come together, how these women’s lives would intersect, but when they did, all the pieces clicked into place. And the shocking way in which this story ended absolutely blew me away!

With a suspense that never let up, well-developed characters (some likeable, some unlikeable) and a clever plot, “The House on Cold Creek Lane” is one of my favorite reads this year!!

This story releases August 6, 2024 and this review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

The audiobook did a spectacular job bringing these characters to life. The cringe was real, people!
My emotions were plucked and pulled – Corey’s loss and refusal to recover; Laurel struggling with an infant, toddler, new home, lack of support and community. Don’t even get me started on the men in Laurel’s life – useless all around. A judgmental elderly woman neighbor who cannot say one good thing to Laurel. The single, childless woman neighbor who offers alcohol and a listening ear.
Unreliable, skewed and what is going on plot.
This book is a slow build, character building thriller. Alterman does NOT disappoint.

"𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕? 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕? 𝑰 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒍 𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅?"

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse @lizalterman @severnhousepublishing & @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This had such a suspenful undertone, I was glued to the pages from the beginning. I needed to know what happened to Laurel & her mom, way back when also, what was up with Corey?! And the nosey old neighbor lady; Marian - havnt we all known one of those at some point or another?!😆

Rob was one of those characters you just wanted to ( I'm just gunna say it ) sm@ck 🤷🏼‍♀️. But it made the storyline so much better that way!
The crazy events and the obsessive family, then the unfortunate pasts of both women - they all flow so well.
I really enjoyed this one. I will say it was a slow burn, and we all know how I feel about those. But my besties at The Pulse told me it would pay off in the end, and boy did it ever.

Preorder this one today!

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Aug 6th, 2024


QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Do you any neighbor friends/enemies?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thehouseoncoldcreeklane #lizalterman #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #pulsepoint #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #upcomingthriller #bookbuzz
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Laurel was 12 years old when her mother was viciously murdered, 20 years on, her killer released and Laurel, husband Rob and their two young children are moving into their first proper home - a house on cold creek lane.
The name of the lane and the cover alone had me eerily excited to dive into this read.
When Laurel receives a note addressed to her saying ‘I lost my family. Now yours is in danger.’ She is petrified, she is not only trying to fit in being a suburban mum, dealing with neighbours with questionable intent but now this note.

The book had me gripped with wanting to know what was coming and how things were going to play out. We have two first person pov , Laurel and also Corey who used to live in the house. Both women are suffering loss, and I was excited to find out what tied them together in the story. This is a popcorn thriller with domestic suspense.

Many thanks to NetGalley, published and author for my ARC.

Two women, each shaped by a dark past, have never met but have something in common. Something that has them on high alert.

Laurel and her young family are new residents on Cold Creek Lane. They’ve been welcomed by their new neighbors-some warmly, and some not so much.

Corey temporarily lives with her mother in a retirement village, struggling to rebuild her life while making poor choices.

Nosey neighbors, strange occurrences, and secret obsessions, are issues that both women have experienced. What unfolds and brings them together is shocking!

I loved the alternating perspectives of Laurel and Corey. Being a mom, some moments involving the kids had me feeling anxious but the short chapters helped break up the tension. I also enjoyed seeing Laurel trust her gut when faced with negative influence by family members. Reading about Laurel’s creations as a former pastry chef, activated my sweet tooth! I’m excited to read more by this author!

A story of two women tied through a house in New Jersey. Laurel and Corey alternately tell their stories in this tale of women coping as best they can. Laurel's mom was murdered years ago and it affects her to this day. It's her husband Peter who bought the house, which seems somehow creepy to her. Corey lost her child and she has been living in a condo in Florida with her mother but now she's been evicted because the age restrictions. How do they fit together? No spoilers from me because this is a clever one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I’ve been offline and soaking up the ☀️ in #nicaragua for the past two weeks. Obviously, I went straight to the @thrillerbookloversthepulse crew for a recommended read. My pick? #TheHouseonColdCreekLane by @lizalterman

I flew through The House On Cold Creek Lane in on sunny afternoon at the pool. Liz Alterman’s sharp storytelling will immediately draw you into the story and keep your attention until the end.

Highlights:

🫶🏼Laurel and Corey’s alternating POVs add depth and variety. Corey’s dry humour is a bonus
🤍The fast-paced plot with unreliable narrators and shady characters keeps the tension high
🫶🏼The story delivers great twists and a very satisfying ending

If you’re looking for a snappy thriller with great writing, The House on Cold Creek Lane is for you! Eager to read more from Alterman.

This was a great thriller about trusting your mother's instinct! Laurel and Rob have just moved into a new neighborhood. Glad to be out of the craziness of the city, Laurel just feels a little uncertain. Why was their below cost offer accepted and why had it sat empty for so long? Rob tells her she needs to accept that good things can happen in life. It may seem too good to be true, but she needs to get over her constantly worry about bad things happening. Her fears and worry are blamed on her past and the tiredness of being a new mother. But when strange things start happening and Laurel doesn't agree with Rob about certain aspects of the neighbors, their relationship quickly strains. Rob just blames her irrationalness when these things happen and pushes her to get out more. When she finally gets the story about the terrible incident that had happened at her house, more pieces start to click into place but real truth of what happened is still being uncovered and all it will take is one person to change everything. The past, the current and the future are all about to collide in the most unexpected of conclusions. I really enjoyed this one and couldn't wait to see how to all tied together. Loved how it ended even though I had to read it a second time to grasp it all! Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse are packing this in their beach bag this summer! Once you start, you won't put it down. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

Thank you Netgalley & Severn House Publishing for an eARC 🔥♥️

The title of this book, The House on Cold Creek Lane, definitely caught my eye - it's eerie and intriguing, and I just knew I had to dive in.🔥

This book is like a masterclass in suburban suspense - think perfect families, creepy neighbors, and secrets galore.

Laurel, the main character, is trying to navigate her new life on Cold Creek Lane, but it's not exactly the idyllic suburban dream she was hoping for. Her neighbors are weird, her husband is distant, and she's starting to feel like she's losing her mind.

But here's the thing - nothing is as it seems. There's this whole other storyline with Corey, who's living in a retirement community in Florida, and it's like, what's the connection? How do these two worlds collide?

I love how Liz Alterman slowly builds up the tension, dropping little hints and clues along the way. It's like a puzzle, and you're trying to piece together the truth.

And the ending? Absolutely stunning. I was completely floored by the twist.

The House on Cold Creek Lane is a gripping thriller that's perfect for fans of domestic suspense. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!🔥

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an advanced copy of The House On Cold Creek Lane.

This book follows a woman named Corey who has suffered and unimaginable loss. She is trying to prove that something sinister happened on Cold Creek Lane while at the same time trying to warn Laurel West that her family is in danger. Can Corey stop history repeating itself?

I really enjoyed this book-I predicted a couple of things but the book still had my attention!

4.5 rounded to 5 for Goodreads

"People don't believe women, and that made us doubt ourselves. I wouldn't make that same mistake."

This book was catchy from the beginning. I love domestic thrillers, especially ones with nosey neighbors and suburban house wives. This is my second book by Liz Alterman and I'm quickly becoming a huge fan.

This book is told from the POV of Laurel- a mom of two, who just moved to a new neighborhood, at the insistence of her husband rob. She experienced something horrible when she was younger, and how carries around this feeling of distrust and every precaution (as she should). We also get the POV of Corey- she also experienced something very traumatic as a mother and is living back with her mom, at the age of 36, trying to figure out how to get through each day.

I loved reading each of the mom's POV's and how similar they were, but also extremely different. The characters in this book (with the exception of a couple) were just horrible humans- the neighbors were all horrible in their own way, Rob (the husband) was the worst, and it just seemed like neither one of them could catch a break. I was literally mad for Laurel and Corey the whole book. As a mom, some of the things that happened in this book made my skin crawl...I couldn't imagine going through what either one of them went through.

While I did have my suspicions about the main twist early on, I was still surprised by the ending. I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook of this and it was amazing. She even did a great job with the male and child voices. Great job!! If you love domestic thrillers about motherhood and nosey neighbors, pick this one up!!

The story was fast paced and there was definitely some mystery. I did find it to be predictable, though. There was a major red herring in the plot that I knew was a red herring and would ultimately have nothing to do with the plot, but it was still important context to some of the characters.

As a mother of young children, I can relate to where Laurel is at in her life, juggling children, changing diapers, and trying to make friends with other mothers, which made me feel more connected to the story.

Overall, this was a fun domestic thriller and I enjoyed the plot of this one!

Instagram Review to be posted 8/2!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Severn House, and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for this gifted advance copy!

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

The House on Cold Creek Lane By Liz Alterman
Publication Date: August 6, 2024
Publisher: Severn House

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up to 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

Everyone at @thrillerbookloversthepulse has been loving this book and I can now count myself among that group of cheerleaders for this domestic thriller!

This was a slow burn thriller... Sometimes it even felt painfully slow. I don't say it was painfully slow because it wasn't good... It was. I loved the suspense build-up in this book -- it was both brutal and brilliant at the same time.

I had my suspicions throughout the book, questioning the intentions of so many of the characters. Honestly, I can't share much about the majority of this story's supporting characters without giving spoilers...but "ick" is a fair summary. But let me just leave this here: I wanted to reach into the pages and throttle Laurel's gaslighting and dismissive husband, Rob, so many times. Ugh.

Our story is told from the perspectives of two women in alternating chapters. The unreliability of both our MCs, Laurel and Corey, was perfect. While the reader can see that the women's stories overlap in some capacity, it took a long time to get there. And I had to shelve my patience as I waited to figure out how, when, and why their stories would come together. When the book's ending was finally revealed in the last few chapters... It was a big wow moment for sure. A couple big wow moments, actually. The way this one wrapped up made the slow burn worthwhile... For me anyway.

If you're a fan of domestic thrillers with questionable narrators and creepy vibes, this book is for you. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and thanks to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for including me in this book tour!

#TheHouseOnColdCreekLane #LizAlterman #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #thrillerbookloversthepulse #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #bookreviews #bookrecommendations

Laurel and Rob West were in need of more space with a new baby on the way and a young son but were struggling to find an affordable home. Rob surprised Laurel by making an offer on a perfect Cape Cod house in a charming New Jersey suburb without her seeing it first. Despite the hope for an exciting fresh start, Laurel sensed that the neighbors were hiding something about the house. And the older woman across the street showed too much interest in her family, particularly her son. Also feeling like she was being watched, Laurel's trust issues stemmed from her mother's murder when she was young, magnified by the recent release of her mother's killer from jail.

Meanwhile, Corey Sutton had recently moved into her mother's condo in Florida. Divorced and mourning the loss of her daughter, Corey is struggling with grief and anger. She can barely keep it together. It becomes evident that these women will soon be connected in some way.

In Liz Alterman's suspenseful thriller The House on Cold Creek Lane, this dark, twisty story is about the complexities of domestic life and motherhood. Two women have to find inner strength when they are pushed to the brink of despair. The age-old question, "Do we really know our neighbors?" couldn't be truer than in this riveting book, which kept me reading through the night.

4.25 stars.

ARC REVIEW🤯💔🏡🚔🔪🔍

THE HOUSE ON COLD CREEK LANE - @lizalterman
Pub date: 8/6/2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a WILD ride. It had all the juicy drama + crazy twists you’d expect in a domestic thriller/suspense novel, but it also made me cry like a baby.
🤯 LAUREL + COREY🫶🏼
.. I had to keep reminding myself that these women were just fictional characters because I literally wanted to reach into this book, beat people up for them, and then give them both a hug😭
As a mother, I related to Laurel so much while reading about her postpartum struggles and how hard it was for her being a stay-at-home mom. (I also wanted to smack her husband and his entire family in the face multiple times).
Corey was definitely my favorite character in the book. Again, as a mother, I could never imagine going through everything she endured, and reading about how she dealt with her grief just felt so real and raw.

🤩But, don’t let my sappy mom emotions mislead you— this was a fast paced, suspenseful, dark thriller for sure. This is one of those books you stay up until 2 AM reading because you just need to know what happens next. The author did such a great job of dropping subtle details, making you feel like you have it figured out. + While I did predict one outcome, I was seriously SO shocked by the rest of the twists, and of course the ending😲😲😲

My only nitpick is I would have loved to know a little bit more about Laurel’s mom, and other characters’ backstories (don’t want to give any spoilers away!).

You guys definitely need to put this one on your radar!
Pub date is AUGUST 6TH 🤩

Thank you to @netgalley + @severnhouseimprint for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

P.S, Liz, if you’re reading this, I would LOVE to have you join an Instagram Live Q+A session soon to discuss this wonderful book!🤞🏼🤞🏼

#arcreview #domesticthrillerbooks #domesticsuspensebook #thrillerbooks #upcomingbookrelease #severnhouse #netgalley #authorspotlight #bookspotlight #thrillerbookreview

This twisty domestic thriller examines the weight of motherhood.

Laurel West is pregnant and on bed rest when her husband Rob buys a home for them in New Jersey. With a toddler already at home, they won’t fit much longer in their small apartment, but Laurel doesn’t even get to see the place she’s expected to call home and when she gets there she feels uneasy about some things. Rob—who knows Laurel deals with anxiety because of a past trauma—keeps telling her there’s nothing to worry about, but Laurel can’t shake the feeling he’s wrong. In Florida, Corey Sutton is trying to outrun her past, but she isn’t sure she will ever be able to get over the horrible tragedy that defines her. How and why these two women’s stories are woven together will keep readers turning pages.

Even though I figured out one of the twists, I definitely couldn’t put this one down. The exploration of motherhood definitely rang true, and it was heartbreaking to see Laurel fighting to trust her instincts, then be shut down again and again by her husband, who was trying to be supportive I think but ultimately wasn’t very successful. The ending of the book was like a perfect storm and it’s one that I think will stick with readers.

There were some character motivations I didn’t completely understand and I wish were spelled out for me a little more, but this book did a fabulous job with atmosphere and building a real sense of dread. I’ d definitely recommend The House on Cold Creek Lane for readers who love a dark, atmospheric thriller that explores the claustrophobic nature of motherhood and life in the suburbs.

This was a twisty domestic thriller told from two POVs of two different mothers. One mother is currently living her happy life in a new house, only things don’t seem as happy as they seem. The other mother suffered a horrible tragedy and is trying to come to terms with the consequences in her own toxic way. The two find themselves both on a path of self-destruction as an unknown sinister neighbor lurks nearby. The book uncovers all the nitty gritty doubts and thoughts that go through a mother’s mind as it’s already hard enough to be responsible for raising a family. I found this read to be very intriguing and mysterious, keeping me turning those pages until the very end. That mike drop ending was all worth it.

Laurel and Rob West are excited when they find the perfect house for their family to move into. Even though everything looks perfect on the outside, Laurel can't help but feel that something is just off with her new home. That her neighbors know something and they aren't telling her. Corey Sutton is newly divorced and is now living with her mom in Florida. She spends her time running to try to process and overcome her grief. Though these women live hundreds of miles apart and don't know each other, their lives may have more in common than they think.

Have you ever read a book that has left you completely speechless, but in a good way? The House On Cold Creek Lane was that book. Laurel and her husband move into a new house, and Laurel gets an uneasy feeling about her new neighbor. She tells her husband, but he keeps brushing her off as being anxious about an event in her past. Let me tell you, I did not like Rob very much. Then we meet Corey, who is also trying to survive a trauma from her past, but isn't coping very well. As the story progresses, we find out how both of these women are connected. These two characters are very well developed, and their stories will keep you turning page after page. When you get to the end, it will completely blow your mind. Honestly, my mind didn't want to compute the ending. I thought maybe I got it wrong somehow since it was so late at night when I finished. Phew! What a ride that book was!

Huge thank you to @lizalterman @severnhouseimprint @berittalksbooks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
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There is just something I love about a soapy neighborhood story in the summer. It always hits for me and this was a straight up wild ride. Laurel and Rob move into what promises to be their dream home but did they find their dream neighbors ? This book is full of unlikeable characters which totally works for the story.
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After reading The House on Cold Creek Lane, I am very appreciative for my neighbors that I know. It is a psychological thriller about a family that moves from Manhattan to the supposed perfect suburbs and the mom just gets a very uneasy feeling about the neighbors. There is also a second narrator to throw things into the mix - a woman in Florida who lost her daughter and you know she is connected but you don’t know how. This was intense, so propelling and so twisted. I didn’t trust anyone, I yelled at the book for bad decisions and I gasped audibly several time. So much gaslighting, so much tension and so much of the feeling to just trust your gut. What a rollercoaster of a thriller.

A young couple with two children move into a new home where Laurel receives a threat to be aware of danger. A nosy neighbor that infiltrates her life and home, a new friend that she can’t get enough of and her critical husband that judges her every move. Laurel can’t shake her unsettling anxiety and suspicion of her grandmotherly neighbor.

Meanwhile, in another neighborhood, Corey is grieving the loss of her daughter and the end of her marriage, starting over in her mother’s retirement condo. Corey can’t believe her daughter’s death was an accident. Something sinister is in the air.

Find out how these lives intertwine and who is out to get Laurel?

My thoughts:
☁️☁️☁️
Interesting, suspenseful and a bit mysterious. I really enjoyed this 4/5 star read! It kept me entertained and I didn’t figure it out until close to the end! Loved it! Fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley will like this one!

I kind of love a novel where I don't really like any of the characters but I still enjoy the mess unfolding that they seem to always make.

This is a bit dark. Motherhood can be challenging and Rob just kind of made it even harder on his wife Laurel. Both neighbors next to their new house are suspicious and I felt bad for the judgements I made on one of them while reading.

The story just sucked me in and I read it in a few hours.