This was amazing. A complete mindf*** but amazing. I usually don’t like books that are confusing on purpose, but the way this one is set up, it makes it really feel like it could happen in some terrifying other universe 😳 I loved it. It also had sooo many of my favorite elements in horror/psychological thrillers: remote location, getting snowed-in, creepy basements, jump scares, and old houses with a mysterious history. The added mixed-media element was also amazing!!! High rec from me, especially if you want the perfect balance of thriller and horror.

Do. Not. Read. This. Alone. At. Night. It’s like riding a roller coaster at night. Surpassed my expectations and the hype was totally worth it. Not sure what I just read but I am happy I did. This is a hit!

If you’re looking for a haunted house story to really get under your skin, We Used to Live Here is for you. It’s a slow build, but by the end, it was the kind of story that had me seeing things in the shadows of my room at night. We follow Eve, who has just moved into a fixer-upper with her girlfriend, Charlie, with plans of flipping it. While Eve is home alone (Charlie is in town), a family of five knocks on their door. The father, Thomas, explains that he used to live there as a kid, and would she mind if they took a look around?

Even has anxiety, which makes it difficult for her to distinguish between truly unsettling things and garden variety paranoia. She doesn’t want this people in the house, especially not while she’s alone, but she’s also a people pleaser and is easily convinced into this. As they wander the house, she starts to get a bad feeling about them, especially Thomas, but she’s probably just imagining that…

This novel is no doubt influenced by House of Leaves, which is a horror book I absolutely love—and also have some serious issues with. Interspersed between each chapter of We Used to Live Here are documents: interview transcripts, newspaper clippings, the real estate listing of the house, etc. Within this documents are codes, including symbols, morse code, and seemingly random capitalized letters. There are fictional websites that you can actually visit, and an email address that might just reply if you email it. It’s the kind of book that can you send you down a rabbit hole, the kind that inspires subreddits to discuss theories.

Another crucial element of HoL that shows up here is spatial horror: as Eve explores the house, it begins to subtly change. This contributes to the growing sense of dread: even before anything truly scary happens, my skin was crawling. The atmosphere is so strong, and I ended up reading it in a couple of sittings because I had to know what happened next—and I wanted closure so that this story wouldn’t keep haunting me.

Despite all of that, there was something missing for me. It wasn’t entirely satisfying, though it had me hooked. I learned after finishing We Used to Live Here that it began as a serialized story on the No Sleep Reddit forum. I felt like things clicked into place then, because like other creepypasta and no sleep stories I’ve read, it does a great job of freaking me out, but the story doesn’t completely hold together in the light of day.

That criticism might not be fair. Not only did this book drive me to peruse some theories after I read it—always a sign I’m invested—but those also made me realize there are several easter eggs that make sense in retrospect. I suspect it would be a rewarding reread. But on the other hand, going down those Reddit threads also reminded me of moments that don’t fit into the worldbuilding, that seemed to be there just for vibes and didn’t totally make sense.

This is being pitched as Get Out meets Parasite, which I find to be a strange comparison for a book that has nothing to do with race/racism or class/classism. There is a religious element, though: conservative Christianity (and its attendant homophobia) is a looming menace, warping everything around it to conform. That’s an intriguing angle, but I don’t feel like it was fully explored, because there are so many other aspects to what’s happening.

Oh, and one more aside: I was annoyed with Charlie through most of this book, and I’m not sure if that was on purpose or not. I had questions that did not get answers. Do not leave your anxious girlfriend alone with a strange family in her house! Horror genre aside, why would you do that??

As you can probably tell, I am left conflicted. I had a great time reading this, and it is the closest thing I’ve read to HoL, though it is not nearly as intense. I felt like it didn’t completely live up to its potential, but I am glad I read it.

This and Kliewer’s short story “The Caretaker” are being adapted into Netflix movies, with Blake Lively as the star of We Used to Live Here and Sydney Sweeney as the star of “The Caretaker,” and I will be very interested to see how it plays out on the screen.

2.5 stars, rounded up: 2 stars for the story, plus 1/2 star for the creepiness factor

This was such a weird little story. I had no idea what has happening at any point in this story. Nor did I have any guesses about what was going to happen next. I wouldn't mind the second part if it weren't for the first. Ultimately, I think this just wasn't for me. The atmosphere was great.

I think if you don't mind your horror stories super out there, you may enjoy this one more than I did.


A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC of We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer.

If I could describe this book in one word - CREEPY. If the rumor is true that this one will be coming out on Netflix, I’m sure it will be a smash hit. The definition of unputdownable, I had to keep flipping the pages to know what would happen next - and what was actually happening.

One star off the 5 because I “think” I got the ending, but it was so twisted that I’m not 100%!

I recently finished We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer, and it was an absolutely gripping read. The novel follows Eve and her partner, Charlie, a young couple who purchase an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. Their lives take a chilling turn when a man claiming to have lived in the house as a child arrives with his family, asking to look around. Eve’s decision to let them in sets off a series of eerie and unsettling events that blur the line between reality and delusion.

Kliewer’s writing is masterful, creating an atmosphere thick with suspense and dread. The way he intertwines psychological horror with supernatural elements kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, and I found myself deeply invested in Eve’s journey as she navigates the increasingly bizarre occurrences in her home.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of the human psyche and the fear of the unknown. The story delves into themes of trust, reality, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter revealing new twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

We Used to Live Here is a must-read. It’s a haunting tale that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling and spine-chilling story. What a solid debut!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Without doubt, the best horror book I've read this year. This is a story that has (and will continue) to stay with me for a long time to come. The atmosphere was fantastic, the unease and the creepiness was off the chart, and it reminded me at times of Twin Peaks which is always a good thing! Every time I try to think about what happened, how it ended, what it all might mean, I end up going down a rabbit hole and it messes with my head a little bit more. What a book!

Marcus Kliewer has crafted a chilling masterpiece with We Used to Live Here. From the very first page, the story grabs hold and refuses to let go. The plot is a perfect blend of psychological suspense and supernatural intrigue, keeping me on edge and guessing until the very end. Kliewer’s prose is atmospheric, painting vivid, eerie scenes that are impossible to forget.

The audiobook, narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Corey Brill, is equally outstanding. The narrators’ performances bring the characters and tension to life, delivering the perfect tone for this haunting tale. Every pause, every inflection added to the spine-tingling experience, making it impossible to stop listening.

This book was is hauntingly brilliant and everything I want in a horror novel. It was so eerie and full of suspense, and the ending left me with my mouth wide open, wondering “what the…”. Whether you’re reading or listening, this is a story that will stay with you long after it’s over. Highly recommended for fans of gripping psychological thrillers with a touch of the supernatural. Marcus Kliewer is a name to watch!

Thank you Atria Books and Simon & Schuster Audio for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

While reading this I was so confused and didn’t know if I really liked it. But having read it a while back, I remember everything from it and it’s just so creepy and twisted.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer is ’s one of the most unsettling, thought-provoking horror novels I’ve read in a long time. From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn in by the eerie atmosphere and the creeping sense that something wasn’t quite right. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, making you question the idea of home and the secrets it might hide.

The book follows Eve and Charlie, a young couple who think they’ve found their dream home in a beautiful Victorian fixer-upper. But when a family claiming to have lived there before shows up, things take a dark and unpredictable turn. Kliewer has this incredible ability to slowly build tension, and every interaction with the so-called “former residents” had me on edge.

What really stood out to me was how layered this book is. On one level, it’s a deeply creepy haunted house story with all the suspense and twists you’d hope for. But it’s also an exploration of identity, memory, and how our pasts shape us. Eve’s perspective is especially compelling—her voice feels so raw and real, and I found myself completely invested in her journey as she tries to make sense of what’s happening around her.

The writing is atmospheric and immersive. You can feel the house’s history in every creak of the floorboards, every shadow in the corner. And the way Kliewer blends psychological horror with supernatural elements is masterful—it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins, which makes the story even more chilling.

All the stars!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. There were a lot of plot holes and unanswered questions. It did give me that uneasy and creepy feeling that I look for from horror fiction. The vibes were there, but the story didn't quite make it for me.

This was absolutely the most terrifying book I have ever read. If you love scary movies with jump scare scenes, this book is for you. If you love dark and twisty adventures with surprises at every turn, look no further, this book will leave you with a new fear of the dark and your own house. All of my childhood fears have been woken up and I have this book to thank.

I feel a lot things and I think good is one of them?

I honestly stopped and started this book so many times. I just could not get into it. I thought long and hard about making a DNF. And I probably should have. I even got the audiobook to see if that would help me power through.
It just did not.
I guess maybe some people open doors to unknown strangers…..my daughter and I heard the fed ex guy knock the other day and crouched quietly until he went away. I mean I don’t open the door to my neighbors way out here in the country either. Totally not the book for me. On the upside at least I’m done with it

This was a very well thought out book with a lot of hidden messages that were fun to decipher throughout it. I enjoyed the story line, but did feel like it was a slow burn. I would have liked to see a more concise ending with a better wrap up.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
5/5 🌟 I really enjoyed this read! Thank you to all involved for the eARC of this title! This was a terrifying read and the story kept my attention the whole way through!

Excellent story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea where this story was going and kept me guessing. I found it incredibly original and I want to check out more from this author in the future. The concept of "old houses" is so fascinating!

This was, hands down, the scariest book I have read this year! An atmospheric thriller with a good (but not great) plot. I give the "creepy factor" a solid 5 stars, but the plot felt a bit lacking for me, bringing the overall ranking down to a 4 stars. Many reviewers complain that they disliked the conclusion (or lack thereof) of this book, and while I see their point, I believe the lack of resolution really has more to do with leaving a door open to continue the story in a prequel or sequel, so I personally didn't mind the open ending. Will be recommending this to friends who love a good scary story. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital ARC.

Really good read and very much looking forward to the Netflix series! Vivid descriptions and original.

Wow wow wow. This book is genuinely spooky and listen, I can read Stephen King but something about this book chilled me to the bone. It took me a while to read because I was too spooked to read it at night. I can't wait to see the big screen adaptation of this. Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Easily giving this novel 4 stars and it would have been 5, but I left confused. I'm sure the answers to my questions lie in the docs that supplement the story, but my brain couldn't put it all together. Really intriguing and eerie read, however.