This young woman Eve is living with her partner Charlie in an old Victorian house on a remote place. They just bought it and want to fix it up so they can sell it again when it’s finished. Eve is home alone when someone’s ringing the doorbell. A family of five, a father, a mother and three children are on the doorstep. They were passing through the area heading East. The father tells Eve he grew up in this house and wants to give his family a small tour around the house if it’s possible. Eve is not a fan of strangers and suspicious by nature, but decides to let them in after all. But once they’re in, things are starting to feel oddly off pretty soon..

Holy crap, this book gave me the most unsettling feelings I’ve ever experienced. I was sucked into the plot immediately and it kept me guessing untill the very end. Although the Faust family looks pretty normal in the beginning, strange things start to happen in the house you can’t put your finger on. It makes you question your sanity and gives you the heebie jeebies. It made me read untill very late last night so I could finish it. I loved the haunted vibe of it and the some sort of open ending. It leaves you questioning what you’ve actually read and what it could mean after all. I also appreciate the absence of excessive gore which is not necessary to write a masterfully horror as this author proves by We used to live here.

Thank you so much @MarcusKlieuwer @NetGalley and @Atriabooks for my advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Eve and her partner Charlie flip houses and their latest project is an old house in rural Oregon. One day, a family shows up wanting a tour of the house, which is understandable since the father had grown up there. Eve doesn’t want to let them in but she is a people pleaser and struggles with anxious thoughts, never quite sure of what she should or shouldn’t do. She decides to let them in.

You don’t need to know any more going in. This is a fast-paced, extremely well-written, mind-blowing, absolutely creepy story.

There are many horror tropes that I love and homages to other novels/films but to mention them would give too much away.

This book scared the living daylights out of me. Absolutely five stars if you are a horror fan. I can’t believe this is a debut! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. One of the best novels I’ve read in years. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

This took a little bit to get going, but once it did, it was consistently creepy throughout, especially towards the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

"We Used to Live Here" by Marcus Kliewer

"We Used to Live Here" by Marcus Kliewer is a masterful addition to the horror genre, and I find it to be the best horror book I've read in a long time. Kliewer has crafted a story that is as inventive as it is genuinely scary. With a length of 320 pages, the book holds the reader in its grip with a "creeping, unaccountable, jangly dread" that epitomises the best of horror storytelling.

What sets this novel apart is its unique balance of suspense and minimal gore. It's a rarity in horror literature to find a book that builds suspense in such a skillful way without relying heavily on graphic details. This approach not only makes the book more accessible but also heightens the psychological impact of the story.

One of the most haunting aspects of "We Used to Live Here" is its open-ended nature. The story leaves you pondering long after you've turned the last page, continuing to haunt with its lingering questions and unresolved mysteries. This element of the unknown is what makes the book unforgettable and a compelling read.

In conclusion, "We Used to Live Here" is a brilliantly crafted horror novel that deserves all the stars. Its ability to maintain suspense without excessive gore, combined with its hauntingly open-ended narrative, makes it a must-read. I find this novel to be a testament to his talent and a significant contribution to the genre. My personal rating for this book is a resounding five stars.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC

I just had a feeling this book would be perfect for me. It was awesome. I'm a sucker for a spooky house, and this story took that basic idea and ran with it to create something I've never read before. The feelings of uncertainty and confusion (in a good way) really added a certain off kilter vibe. My unsteady thoughts while reading really mirrored the events of the story. I was hooked from page one. The pacing was tight and there were no wasted pages. The mixed media elements were a nice addition too. I cannot wait to see what else this author brings to the table.

Given the way this book is marketed, I was skeptical. However, the premise is very much my jam, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I LOVED this book. I think it's wonderful all the way through: great characters, phenomenal pacing, and the reveals are solid as well. The anxiety rep and spiraling are represented so realistically it seems like the author must have personal experience or close access to someone who does.

Interesting and original concept that kept me guessing! Kept my heart racing for sure. I loved the bounce between narrative and “archive”

Wowow this is one of the most terrifying but addicting books I’ve read this year. When strangers appear at the house of new homeowners, and ask to show their kids where the father grew up, what unspirals is terrifying, defies rational, and leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!

Marcus Kliewer knocks it out of the park with We Used to Live Here! I found myself both devouring and savoring this novel, as I was eager to read what came next, while also wanting my reading experience to last.

I was drawn to this book after reading a brief synopsis that mentioned its origins on the r/nosleep subreddit. I used to love reading those stories about a decade ago, but have fallen off since having children. I am so glad I picked this up because it was the perfect creepy story for me! There were just the right amount of all the classic horror elements - haunted house, things are not as they seem, paranormal happenings, unsettling characters, and elements of psychological paranoia.

The characters were really enjoyable and I felt invested in their story. Eve is a great protagonist, Thomas and his wife Paige are unnerving, and Charlie is the skeptic we all know and love. Also, shout out to Shylo because dogs are great companions and always know when something weird is going on!

A perfect novel for fans of classic horror. I can *almost* guarantee that if you read this at night, you will find yourself feeling unsettled and creeped out! I can’t wait to see what Marcus Kliewer does next!

Thank you to Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and NetGalley for this highly enjoyable ARC!

Marcus Kliewer's chilling debut is one of the best horror novels I've read in quite a while. I can't wait for the Netflix movie.
Eve and her partner Charlie have recently purchased an isolated home in rural Oregon. After two months of settling in, the ladies are ready for a quiet Friday night of beers and a movie. Eve is alone while Charlie has gone to pick up some libations. A snow storm is approaching.
There's a knock at the door. Its not Charlie.
An odd family of five is standing at the entrance. The father says he used to live there. Could they come in and look around? They'd be in and out in fifteen minutes.
Eve says no, see ya. But then she changes her mind. Sure, why not. Charlie should be back soon, right?
The mom is stony cold, the two teenage sons fight constantly. And the precocious young daughter wants to explore. Then she wants to hide. For a long time.
Fifteen minutes turns into an hour. And where the heck is Charlie? The family stays on for dinner. The weather worsens. Then strange things begin to happen.
We Used To Live Here turns the Fright Meter up full tilt as Eve's fragile mind begins to unravel. Is the mystery family the real deal? When will their daughter come out of hiding? And is Eve slowly becoming someone else?
Rooms change. Lovers become doppelganger.s. A simple meal becomes a bloodbath. And for God's sake, don't go down in the basement!
Kliewer churns out a short, tense and haunting read that sticks to your dreams long after the final page.
Next time a strange family knocks at your door, don't answer.

First off, I think the cover is misleading. I would never guess that this was a horror book based on the cover. Just my opinion.

Eve and Charlie have just bought an huge old house. The house is secluded in the forest on a mountain. They have hopes of fixing it up or demolishing it and starting from scratch.

One day while Eve is home alone, a family shows up at the door. The father, Thomas, claims he grew up in the home and really wants to show it to his family. He asks politely if they can just take a look around for 10-15 minutes tops. That’s it. No harm in that, right? Ha, so she thought. 😳

The father, wife, two sons and a young daughter take a tour of the old home. While looking around, the little girl goes missing. Just a little hide and seek. Only thing is, she won’t come out. This is just the start of the family’s lingering stay. Then, there is a snow storm that hits, keeping anyone from leaving the only way out.

From there we descend down an eerie path. Something is just not right with the family. Something feels oddly off to Eve. They just won’t leave. How can she get them out? Once her partner, Charlie, shows up, they have to come up with a plan.

We are taken down a spiral of madness. The house is not what it seems. Things start to change with the home’s settings. On top of that, Eve is hearing mysterious noises. She begins to see frightening things that can’t be explained.

The overall setting was tense. I liked the gothic tone of the story and the house in general was just straight up creepy as hell! I could see this playing out as a horror movie in my mind. Btw, there is a movie in the making starring Blake Lively.

What I didn’t like was all the unanswered questions I had. Why was this even happening? What was the cause of the evil force? I wasn’t really satisfied with the outcome of everything. I had questions damn it! I think if more would have been explained, I could make sense of everything.

The writing is great, setting creepy, weird characters, evil entities. Definitely a horror story and if you enjoy those, this might be one to check out.

I’d like to thank Atria, NetGalley and Marcus Kliewer for the opportunity. All opinions are my own. Publication date June 18, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ lowered to 3

This book has totally unlocked a new fear for me, so thank you for that, Marcus Kliewer. Luckily we're only the second owners of our house and it's not old enough for anyone to have grown up here, so I'll be rightfully suspicious of anyone knocking on our door wanting to see their “childhood home.” And after having read We Used to Live Here, there is no way I'm letting a stranger into my house. Ever.

But, yeah, this is a creepy and suspenseful read, and you can sense the wrongness of the situation from the very beginning. The dread slowly builds and builds, although it's hard to really put your finger on why. I mean, by all appearances the Fausts are just a perfectly normal family, so why do they feel so … diabolical?

Eve is an okay main character, not particularly likeable but also not exactly unlikeable – she's just kind of neurotic and overly anxious (with good reason, as it turns out). Shylo the dog is a perfectly adorable good girl, of course, and I spent the entire book fretting over whether or not she was going to survive. (And does she? (view spoiler))

The first part of this book is mostly a “creepy things are happening in an old house” sort of thing (the unsettling Faust family aside), but the final pages are a total mind-bender. I'm honestly not sure if I loved the ending or semi-hated it? Let's just say that it's kind of … open to interpretation and leave it at that, I suppose? I'm looking forward to the future movie and to seeing where the director goes with this one.

My overall rating: 3.65 stars, rounded up. If you enjoy suspenseful psychological thrillers mixed with a heaping dose of horror, you should probably consider giving We Used to Live Here a read. You'll never want to open your door to a stranger again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

This book was genuinely terrifying and well written up until the ending.

We had clues a d puzzles pieces slowing coming together and then we had this abrupt ending that did not explain the clues, puzzle pieces, articles and said evidence. This whole story was built up to have a huge twist and a-ha moment at the end where everything was going to click and nothing made sense. It's a very disappointing read considering I was on the edge of my seat.

A lazy ending to a built up story with so much promise.

I completely devoured this book. “We Used to Live Here” is one of the best horror novels I’ve read. Terrifying and gripping, I was sucked in to the plot immediately and couldn’t put it down until the horrifying end. This story gave me the heebie jeebies and had me questioning what’s real and what’s not alongside the main character. The ending chapter punches you in the gut and is one of the best conclusions I’ve read in a in a long time! The only reason this isn’t a five-star read is because I was wanting one more conversation between Eve and the old man at the decrepit house and more info on the creepy movements/occurrences while Eve is in Heather’s house using her phone. Overall, this was an amazing read, and I rated it 4.25 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC copy of We Used to Live Here.

Am I entirely sure what just happened? No. Did I love it? Yes. If you like your stories straightforward and easy to follow, this probably isn't the choice for you, but if you're like me and enjoy a good, old-fashioned descent into madness every once in a while, I definitely recommend this one! I'm going to be picking over this one in my mind for a while (and also jumping at every shadow in my dark house).

4.5 stars, rounded up!

Thank you to Netgallery for giving me an early release copy of We Use To Live Here by Marcus Kilewer, this book will be available for purchase on June Eighteenth of 2024.

We Use To Live Here quite literally starts at the summary with the family knocking on the door, it didn’t really stand out to me in the beginning it was a bit of a slow start but it does quickly pick up the creep factor soon after.I liked our characters Eve and Charlie! They were a nice couple, their interactions were sweet ( I wish we got some more between the two of them ).

The writing was nice and descriptive, it kept me locked in during the creepy/thrilling scenes. The creepy/thrilling scenes were good! They really drew me in and kept me invested in the story, what really sold We Use To Live Here for me was the ending, it was a good ending that I just wasn’t expecting! However I kept waiting for their baby to pop up but nothing is ever mentioned about it, it says about a toddler in the summary but the only other character with them would have been shylo their dog.

i was not relaxed enough to go into this one. i'm an anxious person, but this book turned that all the way up to 13. thanks so much for the arc, woof.

I can't gush enough about how much I loved this book. The premise is delightfully creepy, but there's so much more here than the book's description promises -- and I don't want to spoil any of it. Charlie and Eve are a perfect couple, with great chemistry. They plan on refurbishing and flipping the sprawling old house they just bought. The family that shows up at their door is just normal enough that I can almost understand why Eve overcame her reluctance and let them in for what was only supposed to be a few minutes. I know, I just said another book was one of the best horror novels I'd read in a long time -- so is this one. It looks like 2024 is a great year for horror novels!

𝐇𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝? 𝐍𝐨. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥. 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬.

The synopsis just doesn't do this book justice nor does it convey how utterly terrifying it was. I finished reading this around 5 pm and was immediately thinking about the poor quality of my sleep tonight. And this was a debut? Like, how??

This was far more than just a haunted house horror novel. There was a layer of quiet unease immediately from the opening pages. Charlie and Eve are a young queer couple who flip houses and got a great deal on an old house in a scenic yet isolated neighborhood. While Charlie is running errands and Eve is alone in the house, unpacking and settling in, there is a knock at the door. A man, his wife, and their three children are outside; the man introduces himself and says he used to live here and would Eve mind very much if he came in to show the family around?

I know this is the place where you want to shake your head in bewilderment, but Eve is a people-pleaser, and the family seems so nondescript, and well...normal. After promising they won't be there more than 15 minutes, Eve lets them in. At first things are fine, but then the couple's young daughter starts acting strangely. A storm closes the bridge, and Charlie makes it home just in time to calm Eve's fears and put the family up for the night, giving clear expectations they are to leave as soon as the weather clears in the morning.

But the family doesn't leave, Charlie is gone, and Eve feels like she is losing her grip on reality. Either things in the house are changing, or she is. Interspersed throughout the book was a treasure trove of information about the house, told through newspaper articles, Reddit threads, and other online chat rooms.

This book will make you question your sanity, and I sincerely mean that. If you don't have a firm grip on reality and doubt your intuition, I promise you that this book will become one giant intrusive thought, and you will turn certain moments over in your head again and again. Genuinely unsettling, terrifying, and harrowing, this book is going to make me overthink every instance of deja vu I have, and my thoughts on parallel worlds just got a little more frightening.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this early read. This book will publish June 18, 2024.

Y’all. This book was SO scary! Creepy, suspenseful, haunted, twisted….it was all of that. This story leaned more horror movie than psychological thriller at times, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it - which says a lot IMO because I am NOT a horror movie gal. I found myself thinking “WHAT am I reading?!” repeatedly and had to physically set the book down a few times, but still finished in one day. The ending was fantastic. Highly recommend this novel!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC (which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review).