Title- We Used To Live Here
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I typically don't read storylines like this one, but I'm glad I made an exception for this book. The author's writing style is so engaging that it had me on the edge of my seat, with scenes that were so vivid and creepy that I had to put the book down multiple times to take a break and compose myself. The writing in this book was truly fantastic and had me completely captivated from start to finish.

Even better this is being made into a Netflix original movie and the wonderful Blake Lively (my favorite) is the lead female role 😍

Synopsis-

As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. As they’re working in the house one day, there’s a knock on the door. A man stands there with his family, claiming to have lived there years before and asking if it would be alright if he showed his kids around. People pleaser to a fault, Eve lets them in.

As soon as the strangers enter their home, uncanny and inexplicable things start happening, including the family’s youngest child going missing and a ghostly presence materializing in the basement. Even more weird, the family can’t seem to take the hint that their visit should be over. And when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family—or is Eve just imagining things?

Add this one to your tbr besties, it comes out June 18th 2024✨👏🏽

We Used To Live Here is terrifying. I like thrillers, rarely read horrors, but I read some of these chapters online back in 2021. I couldn’t remember the name of the book but I never forgot about it. The plot was always *right there.* So when I saw this on NetGalley, I was ecstatic and hoped to get an advanced copy so I could finish it. Is it just me, or did I already know the ending? Did the author put the ending online? I remember the first 6 or so chapters, and I definitely remember the last one. Nothing about the middle. Is it just the way this book makes me question everything? I feel so creeped out by it. I actually had nightmares so even though part of me has so many questions and would love a sequel, a bigger part of me never wants to read anything this scary or by this author again!

I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own……..I think 🫣

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC!

What an incredible debut from Marcus, I’m seriously blown away. The writing was top tier and I loved the mixed media throughout.

This is definitely a horror thriller I’ll be recommending a lot in the future!

Wow this book gave me GOOSEBUMPS. I am honored to have been chosen to read the arc, because now I can try to convince everyone to read it! Marcus Kliewer did an amazing job at keeping the reader fully enthralled with the story; and I loved how there were different means of media throughout the book as well.

Such an eerily , creepy read
10/10 recommend!!

“We Used to Live Here” by Marcus Kliewer is an eerie and scary thriller. The story is about a young family that knocks on the door of the home of Eve & Charlie who recently purchased the house to remodel, and the father says “this is the house he grew up in and loved, can I please just show my family around if it isn’t too much trouble”. Eve who is home alone is a bit wary but finally agrees and the nightmare begins. I will not say more except that I wish I stopped reading this before bedtime because I had to keep the lights on to sleep. If creepy, scary, and unexplainable is your genre this book is for you!!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well okay then! This book was definitely creepy and very well done with creating the atmosphere. It was a quick read and I definitely wanted to know what happened. There was about 10% towards the end that dragged a little for me but bravo with that twist! Now the twist after the twist.... I had mixed feelings about, but definitely added to the unpredictable nature of the book. I see this a debut book so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Kliewer's next book.

Utterly terrifying. Creepily compelling. Eerily atmospheric.

Eva and Charlie believe they have finally found their dream home nestled in a remote pacific northwest property. With sprawling woods and an ominous house begging for a renovation the couple are eager for a life of solitude. Their illusions of a peaceful life are shattered when a family arrives on their doorstep with the father claiming he grew up in the house and mysterious events begin to occur.

WE USED TO LIVE HERE is a whirlwind of a book that I could not put down. I don’t typically seek out paranormal stories but this one had me in a chokehold in the best way. With an isolated setting, a haunted history, and a labyrinth of a plot this is not a book recommended for after dark reading.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-are prepared to obsessively check to ensure your doors are locked
-enjoy mixed media books; especially one that originated as a Reddit short story
-are anticipating the Netflix series starring Blake Lively

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)
PUB DATE: June 18, 2024

Many thanks to Atria and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review

I read it in a day and didn't want to put it down.

This storyline deals with one of my biggest fears: strangers in your home who don't want to leave. If a man shows up randomly on your doorstep with his family claiming to have grown up in your house and asks to show his kids around...DONT LET THEM IN! What starts as a quick "15 minute" look around really escalates.

This story is claustrophobic and disorienting in the best way. As a reader, I just wanted to scream and direct the main character on what she should do but no choice she could make would possibly get her out of the terrifying mess she finds herself in. It's just too wild.

I liked the creepy supernatural elements and the blur of reality vs imagined that was at play throughout. I expected this to be a thriller but it's really more of a paranormal horror story. The twist made my eyes bug out, and I was so happy with where the author went. I really loved the spooky moments and the detailed horror elements woven in.

The only thing I didn't like very much was the various excerpts throughout the book. Some were helpful but they often just took me out of the story and disrupted the flow. Also, there were a bit too many plot hole/loose thread situations and I was left with a lot of questions. But overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see the film adaptation and will for sure read this author's future novels.

Eve and her partner, Charlie just moved into an older house in a picturesque neighborhood. One night, there is a knock at the door and Eve stands in front of a family of 5 claiming they used to live there and would like to tour the house. Eve reluctantly says yes. Once the family is in the house, strange things start to happen and as Eve starts to learn more about the history of the house, things are not at all what they seem.


Wow, This book was so good. I read this in less than 24 hours. If this were a movie, I can definitely see A24 adapting this. This was very atmospheric, eerie, haunting and unsettling. If you want a face paced read, mixed media (including articles, interviews and police reports), a horror book that will leave you feeling unsure and may give you nightmares, this is the one for you!!


A few things I would've loved were a few loose ends to be tied up, but I think this was the point and added more to the uneasiness of the story. There were some really cool easter eggs that were hidden at the end of each report in morse code as well so make sure you look out for that.
Thank you, @netgalley and@atriabooks for the ARC.

Make sure to check this out on June 18 !! !!


4.25/5 stars

Didn't finish this, was not at all what I expected from the synopsis. Certainly not bad, but don't feel that we need this in our collection.

This book is creepy. Creepy house, creepy kid, creepy inner voice, creepy neighbor, creepy everything. Is it a dream, an alternate universe, something supernatural?
Eve and Charlie recently purchased an old house to flip and when a family stop by unannounced for a visit - things get creepy. Things start changing. What is real and what isn’t?
I absolutely could not put this book down. It gets better and better as it goes on and the ending is just perfection!
Do yourself a big favor and READ IT!!!!!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!!!!

I haven’t been this unsettled by a book about a house since Mark Danielewski’s House of Leaves. What a mind f*ck. And I mean that in the sincerest way. I had to sit for a moment after I finished this to gather my scrambling mind. To reign in my panic. To let the hairs on the back of my neck settle. This is how you write a horror story.

We Used To Live Here reminded me of the element that makes me love Stephen King books. Yes, it’s scary, but it’s also deep, and it holds the mirror up to show humanity the ugliest parts of itself. This book gave me the creeps, but it was also richly layered and so well written. It was easy to devour, like sipping cool water on a hot day. You start, you can’t stop, and then it’s gone. In the end, you’re left questioning your own memories, thoughts and sanity.

You’re going to be seeing a lot of this book all over bookstagram, and for very good reason, because it is so good. I got whole body chills all over again, imagining some of the horrors in this book. Read this with the lights on, now.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer pulls you in on the cover & first few lines of description alone. I am utterly amazed that this is a debut novel. Kliewer writes in a style that we typically find from someone who has done this for years. This book is an absolute masterpiece- it actually scared me! I’m talking I couldn’t put this book down but scared as hell at the same time. I can not give this book enough stars- this is horror/suspense at its very finest!!!

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
—
Eve and Charlie have just moved into the big, run down, secluded house they bought with the intention of flipping it. One night, while Eve is home alone, a family shows up on the doorstep. The father, Thomas, lets her know that he grew up in this very house and asks politely if he can show his family around. Eve hesitantly agrees. Then, when a storm forces the family to stay overnight, strange things start happening. The more Eve learns about Thomas, the more she begins regretting her decision to let them in - and the more strange things she begins witnessing in the house that make her question whether she’s going crazy.
—
This was truly scary, and had me super hooked from the very beginning! The first half I was sure it was going to be 5 stars, but at the end I was left with SO many unanswered questions and loose ends. Regardless, it was such a thrilling read that really got me thinking and questioning what was real and what wasn’t throughout the story.

Look. I read a ton of thrillers and horror. These are my favorite genres and I tend to judge pretty harshly. We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer scared the hell out of me.

Short summary - Eve and Charlie (Charlotte) have recently purchased and moved into an older home in the middle of nowhere. It's winter so snow is on the ground and the house itself has it's usual creaks and moans. One day, while Eve is home alone, a family appears on her porch. The father, Thomas, grew up in the house and is asking if he could show his family around before they move across the country. While Eve is hesitant at first, she relents and this is where is all goes downhill.

One thing after another keeps delaying the family, and they end up staying the night as the roads have been closed due to the snowstorm. ....
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Marcus Kliewer has written a terrifying story about sanity, about home, about truth and about things that have always been and always will be.

I finished this on the train this morning and I haven't stopped thinking about it. I'm going to be haunted for awhile about this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is equal parts eerie and thrilling. The imagery is so vivid and captures the atmosphere, snow storms, the attic & the basement in a manner that’s easy to picture. The book takes place in a matter of a few days. It’s fast paced and keeps you reading wondering what is going on. I really enjoyed this book, I read it in two days while on vacation but I couldn’t put it down. After the first day, when I had to stop reading to sleep, I had dreams finishing the ending. The books leaves a lot to speculation and imagination but in the best way.

In the book, we follow eve, she’s in a relationship with Charlie. They’ve just purchased a house and cash poor. Strangers visit eve when Charlie isn’t home interested in viewing their old house. From this point creepy, unexplainable things begin to happen. The book also contains some mixed media articles intertwined throughout the chapters that become relevant throughout the story and fall more into place after the ending.

This is A very interesting concept for an awkward sort of horror. Very unsettling at points and I really liked the sections that included newspaper clippings and listings for the house. Definitely made Mr feel uncomfortable and went by rather quickly.

One of the scariest books I've read recently. This was a great example of new age horror and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time

When a seemingly-harmless family stops by to tour the house for “15 minutes, tops,” because the Father used to live there, Eve is cautious, but relents. What follows is a horror story, undeniably one which will prevent you from ever letting a stranger into your home again.

Oh my God. This story, as I described above, is so bananas, I don’t even know where to begin with it. And I don’t know that I want to really want to describe too much, because it’s best if you don’t know a lot going in. But I’d compare it to the Netflix version of “The Watcher,” where you’re, in this case, reading with this feeling of dread, knowing things are going horribly wrong, seeing these twists unfurl, and wondering what’s actually real.

And like so many good horror stories, there’s just enough of a hint of something there to freak you out totally. I mean, be prepared for this one. It’s haunting.

Anyway, if you like a good ghost story, this is the one for you. It’ll have you racing through the pages, trying to figure out what’s going on, and feeling spooked afterward.

Two things about me: I love a weird house plot and it takes a lot to sufficiently creep me out. Luckily, this book has both a weird house plot and creeped me out plenty. This was fast-paced, with well-rounded characters, and an eerie vibe. I have soooo many unanswered questions but enjoyed the ending. I thought this book was actually made better by being left so open-ended, as it adds to the dread. I enjoyed all the characters and how everything was just slightly off enough for you to question it, but not enough for you to know when something was or wasn’t actually going on. This is one of the top horror books I’ve read this year for sure!

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC.