5/5 Stars!

If you love books by Grady Hendrix, you’ll LOVE Suburban Hell. It’s like if My Best Friend’s Exorcism and Desperate Housewives had a baby.

The story is about Amy, Liz, Jess, and Melissa. Four women who have bonded during wine and movie nights. It’s a monthly routine for them and they discuss having a “she-shed” to further give them a type of escape from their everyday life. However, when Liz breaks ground in her backyard to build the she-shed, something evil emerges. Liz is not the same afterwards and it’s up to the rest of the group to save their friend and their entire neighborhood.

This book was the perfect balance of humor and horror. The conversations between the women felt so realistic. Each woman had her own quirks and behaviors that felt organic. They felt like a real group of friends. The elements of horror were also fantastic. Creepy dolls, hallucinations, and possession! I personally don’t mind a fair amount of gore but i actually enjoyed that this book was mostly tension and creepy stuff. I do feel like the ending was done so the author could write a sequel or spin off of some kind. I don’t mind it though! The ending was still really good.

I’m so pleasantly pleased with this book and I look forward to more horror from Maureen Kilmer.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, lighthearted horror about what happens when a suburban housewife becomes possessed. It also had a commentary on motherhood and adult female friendships which was unexpected but really appreciated. Suburban Hell was such a fun read that kept me coming back to it. I actually got sucked in to the point I actually jumped when someone came up behind me which doesn’t happen often anymore. If you are interested, I’d recommend giving this book a shot. And check in on your friends. They just might need you to perform an exorcism!

thank you to netgalley and g.p. putnam sons for the arc of suburban hell!

i had so much fun reading this story. i feel like it was a super interesting take on comedic horror by having it be set in the suburbs and be told through the perspective of amy, a mother of two. there was a really nice balance between horror elements like the demon taking over liz’s body and a murderous vacuum, and motherly elements like amy being rangled into being in charge of the pta’s summer carnival.

i think my one complaint is the consistent use of the phrasing “i would soon to come find out” or “i was wrong about this” etc bc it feels almost like a fourth wall break but with not the best execution.

overall though i would recommend this to anyone looking for a not too scary horror book this fall! thanks again to the publisher for this advanced copy.

Objectively, this isn’t a bad book. I just really struggled to get into it. Best described as horror comedy, it felt very much like Grady Hendrix's "The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires" except nowhere near as good. There were moments where I knew the writer was trying to be funny and I think that’s the key word: trying. The humor was just a huge miss for me. I wanted more scares and oomph. The entire book was basically just the main character Amy complaining about anything and everything. The group of friends, including Amy, all seemed like they had super interesting backstories and I wish it had been fleshed out more. I also wish we got to see a bit more of Liz before she got possessed because I didn’t really care or feel invested in the group’s friendship before things took a turn. What did I like? Amy made a lot of great horror/pop culture references, Kilmer did great poking fun at motherhood and the suburban lifestyle, and I liked the demon’s backstory. The book has some great early reviews and I feel like this book just wasn’t for me so don’t let my review deter you!

I was highly anticipating this book as it sounded like such a fun time, but unfortunately I didn’t have the best time with it. While I love horror comedy movies/TV shows, I struggle to enjoy these types of stories in the book form. This reminded me of Finlay Donovan is Killing It, which I also didn’t really enjoy.

I never felt like I really connected with the characters or really understood their friendship that mostly seemed driven by the convenience of proximity. While there are some more graphic details in a few scenes, this book remains a very light cozy horror and I was wanting it to really go there at times. It sort of felt like watching a Halloween special of a Disney show, which certainly has its audience but it just didn’t really work for me.

My favorite part was reading about a haunted Roomba attacking the women as it was just SO ridiculous and over the top (a haunted Roomba would make for a GREAT short story).

All in all, this one just wasn’t really for me but I do think people who like this genre would have fun with this one.

Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Suburban Hell was a fun story about a group of 4 friends living in the suburbs and one of the friends becomes possessed by a demon after breaking ground on her She Shed build. I didn't find this story to be scary at all, great book for beginner horror readers or readers who don't like gore and like their horror books more on the PG13 side. This book takes place in late Summer through early Fall and is a perfect read to kick off spooky season. You will definitely feel all the suburbs mom vibes. I loved the loyalty of the friends throughout this book. Parts of this book reminded me of the Tom Hanks movie The Burbs. Great read, I definitely recommend checking it out!

OK, so in all honesty this arc request was due solely to the incredible cover art and I LOVED the title. It reminds me of something that I can't quite put my finger on just yet but I love it all the same.

I was REALLY surprised to find out that this is a DEBUT novel because it was THAT GOOD. Suburban Hell reminded me a lot of Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism.

This book was a TON of fun, had relatable/likeable characters, and I really enjoyed the depth of character of Amy who is unfortunately dealing with the loss of her sister due to addiction. Bleak.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but I will say this story is something that EVERYONE should read as there is at least SOMETHING that anyone can relate to (grief, friendship, motherhood, love and loss, suburban life, the power of forgiveness, etc).

I don't know if the author plans on writing a sequel but I hope they do.

My ONLY complaint is that there was some animal stuff in there that is a major trigger for me so heads up for anyone who might be sensitive to that type of stuff. Solid 4/5 stars.

Im actually not a huge horror fan but desperate housewives meets the exorcist got me and it delivered . While yes there are plenty of horror moments with double jointed occurrences, demented roombas, and demonic dolls, there’s also a big emphasis on community. As the moms of this neighborhood are infiltrated by a demonic spirit they realize that how important they are to their relationships. I was also very fond of lot having to read another mom book where are the husbands are assholes, they’re sometimes clueless but most were actually supportive. It was an extremely fun ride through wine nights, school carnivals and too many life instances that took on an edge in the plot. It was a story of found families and actually an introspective piece on women friendships.

When I applied for this ARC I had envisioned Desperate Housewives meets the Exorcist. That's what I got however it was not as intense as I expected from this book. I think the author might have been going for a lighter and not very detailed horror novel and that's what you get with this book.

I feel like the story was kind of choppy. Maybe that isn't the best word. Anyway, IMO a lot of potentially impossible details were not added which would have obviously extended the length of the book but would have greatly increased the . Again that is just my opinion.

Ꮢ𝖊ɑ𝒹 𝘵һⅈ𝓼 𝘣օօ𝚔 ⅈ𝚏
👹 you don't like super scary books and want something a bit creepy for Halloween season
👹 you enjoy YA novels
👹 you want a book that is an easier read

This was a fun read for anyone looking to read something fitting for spooky season. Nothing in it was too scary, and some things that were meant to be scary actually were goofy. I wouldn't call this a "must read" or a book that "you can't put down" but it was fun to pass the time.

"Moms were the ones who had to fix problems. From small things like a skinned knee, to bigger ones like supernatural forces trying to take over families."

It's Desperate Housewives meets The Exorcist in this fun horror/spoof of the suburban lifestyle.

Things have gotten a little too interesting lately for the ladies of one Chicago bedroom community.

When construction on a She Shed accidentally opens up a whole can of fiendish worms, Amy's next-door-neighbor and friend becomes possessed by something unsavory (not to mention unsanitary). Since an old priest and a young priest seem to be unavailable, it's up to the gals to save their pal, AND the neighborhood.

This one was loads of fun, as the author played things mostly for laughs, (think demonic Roombas), though there are a few chilling moments, mostly involving children in danger - so be warned.

I really need to stop choosing books that have a big mom life theme. It turns out that PTA meetings and organizing school events really hold no interest for me. After reading the author’s note, I understand that this is what she was going for (suburban life drama with a side of horror) but it didn’t work for me as much as I’d hoped. There were definitely some creepy moments, but not too scary (thankfully), but I found my attention wandering. I liked the characters enough, but wish they’d felt a little more well-developed. I think it was just such a mishmash that it lost me a bit. I do believe this is the author’s debut, so would be interested in reading a future publication.

Overall, it was a mostly enjoyable read, but disappointed me in several areas. I would still recommend if the premise sounds interesting to you, just go into it knowing that good portion of it is suburban mom life. I know tons of people love that! Also, the cover is perfection!

This one was super fun and I loved it. A horror comedy about suburban moms who’s friend may or may not be possessed? Sign me up. If you’re like me and love horror books that make you laugh at times, love suburban moms in their thrillers, and just overall want a light and easy horror read- this one is for you. It did feel a little corny at times but that was the point. I think this would be perfect for anyone new to the horror genre or anyone looking for an easy light and entertaining read this fall.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect book to initiate the spooky season!

Amy, Jess, Melissa, and Liz all live in a suburban neighborhood where they became friends. At one of their monthly wine nights, they christen the development of their She Shed when they open a world of demonic possession. Together, they work to save their friend, and neighborhood.

Immediately from the first chapter, I was hooked into Amy’s life. The atmosphere of a picture-perfect suburban neighborhood was humorous backdrop to such a bazaar situation. I loved the friendship dynamic and the writing style. It was like being a part of the group, included in all their decisions. I especially enjoyed the commentary on basic suburban neighborhoods and how they are all the same. Plus, Jess’ character stole the show for me. She was so unapologetically herself in this cookie cutter neighborhood. It was refreshing.

There were some parts where the story was extremely slow. I appreciated the attention to descriptive detail, but this could have been a shorter book. Because the plot was so drawn out, I got bored around the halfway point. The resolution was also extremely cliché. I wish there was a bit more action, but I assume by the ending, that may be followed up in the future.

I would recommend this book to everyone. This is the perfect mix between comedy and a thriller. It is a fun piece for beginners in the genre as well as seasoned readers. This put me in the mood to pull out all my spooky Halloween books on my shelves. I had such a fun time reading this!

A group of suburban moms find themselves smack in the middle of demonic hell in this humorous and spooky read. And they have to band together to save one of their own from the clutches of pure evil.

This book was seriously a fun reading experience. I loved the characters… well I loved the four main women. Their husbands kind of annoyed me, but don’t they all? 😆 I really enjoyed the dynamic in the neighborhood. You have your groups of friends that get along really well, and you have those catty women who exits right on the outskirts of your friend group… the annoying ones who you interact with when you have to. All the kiddos were great too, even as involved as they get in the mess.

Our narrator, Amy takes us on a tour of her cul-de-sac where everyone looks after one another. She is close friends with the other moms in the neighborhood and enjoys her monthly wine nights with them. After this last one, though, things have really changed! When one of the girlies starts building a “she-shed” in her backyard, an old evil is kicked up and the neighborhood will never be the same.

With one of her own friends in the grip of this evil, she and her other friends have to figure out how to save the cul-de-sac… and themselves in the process.

"Years ago, I would have never imagined that I would live in a town that became embroiled in such petty drama so often. Mark and I had vowed we weren’t going to become those suburbanites who talked about mowing their lawn and tree-trimming services. No, we were much better than that—we were city people. Who took our kids to fancy restaurants and walked everywhere. Who shared one car that we barely drove and always knew where to get the best Indian takeout. I was deeply aware of how uncool and boring the suburbs were. And yet I would soon come to find that our suburb was anything but mundane."

This was so fun and also pretty scary! A group of suburban moms accidentally get tangled up with a demon. Common household objects start coming to life and trying to kill them. Creepy dolls scare their children. But these mom's won't go down without a fight. Think of this book as wine mom vs the supernatural.

Thank you netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! As a sarcastic Chicagoan who loves horror, I was instantly drawn to the title and it did not disappoint! I was hooked and flew through this one in two days.

While it was very campy there were some truly horrific scenes that I enjoyed. While it was funny I appreciate that the horror elements were well done and made me take the book seriously. I felt big Grady Hendrix and American Horror Story vibes as I read. It felt modern but not overly so, without excessive pop culture name drops.

Aesthetically, the cover is gorgeous and instantly drew me in, and I liked the drippy numbers on the chapters. As a Chicago native I loved the references (Kilmer even threw in an "ope!") and the clear distinction made that the city and suburbs are very different.

This was meant to be humorous but I enjoyed the few serious elements thrown in, such as grappling with addiction, loss of identity as a mother, and loneliness. I am not usually the person to feel bad for a group of privileged suburban women, but Kilmer wrote them with such humanity that I could relate to them and have empathy for their issues. I also appreciated that no one was perfect yet the husbands were not all bumbling idiots. I am tired of the terrible husband trope and glad there was only one really insufferable husband.

There were a few continuity errors that threw me off (like outfits changing between scenes when it didn't make sense) but nothing that kept me from enjoying the story. I get that it is the suburbs so it is probably accurate, but I would have liked to see more diversity in the characters.

A peaceful neighborhood on the outskirts of Chicago is the perfect location for a backyard She Shed where neighbors Amy, Liz, Jess, and Melissa can unwind once a month, free of the demands of their spouses and children. But as soon as they break ground in Liz’s back yard, it seems a demonic force has taken over suburbia - and possessed Liz!

Wow, this book was ridiculous and I mean that in the best way! I knew from the title and the summary this book wouldn’t take itself too seriously and I enjoyed every moment. It definitely reminded me of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampire - it’s a look at friendship and motherhood told through an unexpected lens of horror, but vamps are traded in for a demonic spirit.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Suburban Hell is scheduled for release on August 30, 2022.

Amy, Liz, Jess, and Melissa seem to be living the perfect suburban mom life in a seemingly perfect cul-de-sac. They are four four best friends who enjoy spending their time hiding PTA crowd and having girls nights watching movies and drinking. They decide to build a special she shed to have their fun nights. It’s just too bad that when they christen the groundbreaking of the she shed that they release a demonic force that terrorizes the seemingly perfect neighborhood.

Y’all Suburban Hell is CRAZY. It’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism meets Desperate Housewives and Bad Moms. I absolutely loved this book and I simply devoured this book in one night. This is funny, creepy and somewhat disturbing but definitely a must read. With short chapters, great humor and a fast pace this one will have you reading the whole thing in one setting.

"Whoever said it's best to just rip off a Band-Aid clearly never had to yank a bandage off blistering, infected wound caused by a supernatural force."

SUBURBAN HELL by Maureen Kilmer follows a four-woman friend group in the idyllic suburbs of Chicago. When one of their friends starts acting bizarre, and strange things begin to plague their perfect neighborhood, the rest of the group begins to suspect that demonic possession might be the culprit.

My main gripe with this book is that it's SLOW. The demon that possesses the women's friend, Liz, is all bark and no bite. There are so many threats throughout the book--festering injuries, dangerous weather, misbehaving electrical appliances--and yet not much really comes of them. The horror-suspense of the book therefore suffers, and I never really felt as spooked as I hoped. I expected something more akin to Grady Hendrix's The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which is a much stronger, slow-burn horror saga also starring suburban moms that, for me, packed a bigger punch.

A sequel is implied in the epilogue, and the setup doesn't make much sense to me--not with the way the "demonic possession" was resolved in the last chapter.

Overall themes of female friendships, suburban housewife life, mom-empowerment, and spots of lightheartedness/humor make this book a horror-chick lit crossover. It's an easy read, just a bit too long, and didn't live up to my horror expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for this eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.