Nothing good comes from dwelling on the past

Ophelia (Lee) Burton survived a childhood that would at best be described as traumatic. She, her mother and her sickly younger sister Mona were members. of a small doomsday cult led by a dynamic man named Christopher. One day when Lee was twelve she woke up to find that everyone else in the group, including her mother and sister, were gone. She combed their compound and the surrounding area hoping to catch up with them wherever they were headed, but they had vanished. She would end up being raised by her aunt Anne and spending a lot of time with therapists trying to come to terms with her abandonment and sense of loss. The authorities try their best to find the missing group which would become known as The Fifteen (the number of people who disappeared), but no trace of them was ever found and Lee has been unable to remember anything helpful. Despite her rocky beginning, Lee has created her own family, her loving husband Theo and their new baby girl Lucy. Motherhood is proving to be a difficult adjustment for Lee...she can't bear to be separated from Lucy, isn't getting much sleep, can't bring herself to go back to work...and Theo is losing his patience. Of course Theo doesn't know the truth about Lee's background, so can't know what a trigger a separation between mother and daughter could be. As she pushes back against all those who think she should be acting differently (particularly her condescending mother-in-law) and tries to avoid the new documentary on The Fifteen which is currently streaming and going viral, the strain is starting to show. Then the doorbell rings, and on the steps is a young woman who claims to have answers about Lee's childhood and The Fifteen. Is it possible that this young woman is her long lost sister Mona? She wants desperately to believe it is true, but is reluctant to trust the woman without verifying her claims. Lee must face her past head on at last...but doing so may have devastating consequences on her present.
A psychological thriller with a hint of true crime, The Ascent offers a flawed but sympathetic protagonist in Lee. Most parents will recognize the overwhelming terror that comes with being a parent for the first time, the doubts that one will be up to the task, the sleep deprivation of the early months, and more...and when all of those negative thoughts and emotions descend upon someone whose past has left them as emotionally vulnerable as Lee is, and its a disaster in the making. The reader can't be sure if Lee is a reliable narrator, given her past issues with mental illness, which adds to the tension of the unfolding story. There were characters who I didn't like very much, and others who could have been more fully developed, but Lee made up for that. Author Allison Buccola blends the psychology of cults, the need for love, and the challenges of parenthood into an unpredictable tale full of plot twists and turns that will keep most readers in its thrall to the end. Readers of Sarah Pekkanen, Ana Reyes and Stacy Willingham should definitely give The Ascent a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me access to this twisty thriller in exchange for my honest review.

This book sucked me in and had me hanging on every word. I had no clue where it was going, I was stressed, excited, and was coming up with all sorts of theories (none of which were true). This was more than a fast paced thriller, it was an emotional journey that I’ll think about for a long time. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Welp. Let’s just say I was left wanting more.

The lead up in this book is so good, but there’s just one problem: it doesn’t seem to lead to anything. There were a couple twists that definitely caught my attention but there are so many unanswered questions that it took away from the strengths of this book.

The parallel of Lee’s, our main character’s, trauma as a prior cult member with the trauma she’s experiencing as a new mother was an intriguing story line that had me hooked from the get go. The inclusion of a present day timeline and years prior was a good way to illustrate the struggle of Lee’s mental state. She struggles with control and the emotional turmoil she feels of losing her cult family as well as the postpartum fear of something happening to her new baby, Lucy.

Gaslighting is a strong theme in this book, whether it came from Lee’s husband or the media regarding the cult. This theme reverberates throughout the timelines and causes the demise of Lee’s mental and emotional state.

There was so much potential with this book because it was well-written, however, the ending left me with more questions than answers and it just left me wanting more.

⭐️⭐️.75

The Ascent is the 2nd novel by Allison Buccola. It is a fast-paced psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s about a woman named Lee, who grew up in a cult that disappeared without a trace 20 years ago, who comes upon a stranger be her long lost sister. Is she rally her sister and does she have the answers to what happened all those years ago? Her husband Theo has his doubts. Filled with suspense, paranoia, and mystery, I highly recommend this. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

Cults are creepy. Lee walked away (left behind) from Jacob's Hill at twelve years old. A gripping and antagonizing dual timelime thriller. Each timeline Is masterfully crafted. The past traumatic events shed light on the present situations. For me this was a well paced story withsome pretty amazing twist at the end.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC.

4 stars

💭Man! The gaslighting in this book! It made me question what was happening so many times! If you know me, you know I love cultish books, so I knew I had to request this one on Netgalley! I am SO glad I did! It exceeded my expectations! It is bingeworthy and has great twists and turns! This story focuses more on the aftermath than on life in the cult, which disappointed me a little, but didn’t affect the story at all.

Twenty years ago everyone in a cult disappears except for one 12 year old girl found wandering along the road. No one knows where everyone went, including the girl. She woke up and everyone was gone. As an adult, she gets a knock on the door who says they are a person from her past. She begins to trust the person whole heartedly, while her husband did not. It causes a rift in their marriage, but she is determined to find out what went on all those years ago.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Allison Buccola, and Random House for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

WOW I couldn’t put this down!! Everything I love in a thriller— cults, domesticity, motherhood, unreliable narrator, and twists I don’t see coming! This was my first read by Buccola but certainly won’t be my last. I found her writing so gripping, and I loved that this was fast-paced the entire read. If I had any critique, it would be simply that I wish there would have been more scenes about the cult/flashbacks for Ophelia just to get more context of that environment, but with what was included, it was good pacing to set up Ophelia’s story. I liked seeing her relationship with Lucy and how her past affected her as she started spiraling throughout. There were multiple twists that I didn’t see coming, and I was kept guessing what would happen until the last chapter. I also appreciate that Buccola wrapped up the ending without a last minute twist and had the story stand solidly on its own. Reading The Ascent has resparked my love for cult stories and well-written thrillers.

Thank you Random House for my gifted copy!

“I have experienced this before, and it is not depression. It is an untethering.”

For some people, there are two different dialogues: outside and inside. Outside and inside happen simultaneously, your brain tuning in and out. The inside dialogue growing louder with each turn of the dial, until it feels like your inner voice is screaming, drowning out the rest of the outside. There are scenes like this throughout the book where Ophelia is engaging in mundane small talk, but her mind is whirring and smoking, spiraling ever faster. It is horrifying to see in print, because it was like holding a mirror up to myself.

The Ascent masquerades as a thriller about surviving a cult, but it is so much deeper than that. It is an untethering: an unraveling of a traumatized person grappling with motherhood.

Motherhood is not easy for the best of us. But for the rest of us, it is a daily cycle of said untethering and unraveling. Unlearning and relearning. Cycle breaking. Exhausting self doubt and imposter syndrome. Primal and all-consuming love for your baby, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t see myself in Ophelia a hundred times over.

This book was powerful. It was shocking. It was relatable, horrifying, humbling and uplifting. It was raw; written so truly and beautifully. I am floored by this book. I immediately want to read the author’s first book. Like, now.

Go into this understanding that it will be heavy. But it is worth it if it may shed a little bit of “you’re not alone-ness” on you.

Definitely a different book than I’m use to but it was very interesting. I’m not sure exactly how I feel about this book but I would say read it and give it a chance!

This was a very gripping thriller. It's about a woman named Lee who was in a cult called Jacob's Hill as a kid. One day, the cult members simply disappear without a trace. Twelve-year-old Lee is left behind. Years later, and a mother herself, Lee has to finally face her traumatic upbringing when a stranger arrives and says they know why the cult disappeared. Can Lee trust this woman, or herself?

The writing was very suspenseful and I was sucked into Lee's world in both the past and present. It was very tense at times and had me furiously flipping pages. The characters are well thought out, the plot twists were surprising, and the ending was very satisfying indeed. But this is more than just another thriller, it's about a survivor and the mind games that were played on her. I like how the author shows how Lee's past shaped her present. I found the dynamics of the cult and the aftermath on Lee's life both fascinating and chilling. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories that are very suspenseful.

Buccola proves that the slow-burn thriller with an unreliable narrator hasn't been completely played out yet with this story of a young mother hiding from her childhood. Ophelia was 12 when all the members of the cult she lived in disappeared one night without a trace, including her mother and younger sister. Now that Ophelia is married and has a newborn, the secrets of the past seem determined to rise to the surface. There are some really interesting twists and turns in this story and I enjoyed the ride. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a digital review copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Ascent" and all opinions expressed are my own. This is a slow burn book about cults, not usually what I read about. Maybe it was the subject matter but it wasn't for me. Interesting to a point but didn't hold my attention.

The Ascent takes place in Philadelphia and the suburb of Delaware County where I currently live. The author gives an accurate description of the area. This book is very well written and an excellent slow burn mystery with great character development of the main character, Lee, and gives an interesting perspective of her childhood in a cult. Lee wakes up one day to find her mother, sister, and the whole community she lives with who are under the direction of a leader named Christopher gone, and never found. Currently she is a mother who just has given birth to her first child and still is dealing with her childhood trauma. Suddenly her long lost sister shows up in her life and Lee’s life starts unraveling. This is a great story and mystery.

**Book Review: The Ascent by Allison Buccola**

Allison Buccola’s *The Ascent* is a gripping exploration of identity, trauma, and the haunting shadows of the past. The story unfolds across multiple timelines, weaving together the present day with the past of a 12-year-old Ophelia, who grew up in a cult. This duality enriches the story, allowing readers to witness the stark contrast between Ophelia’s tumultuous childhood and her seemingly idyllic life as Lee, a woman navigating adulthood with a husband and a baby.

The story begins with a chilling mystery: one morning, Ophelia wakes up to find her mother and sister, Mona, missing along with all the other members of the cult she lives in, leaving her to grapple with the unanswered questions of their disappearance. Raised by her aunt, Ophelia struggles to adjust to a "normal" life, a theme that resonates deeply throughout the book. As Lee, she has built a life that appears perfect on the surface—married to Theo, a rising star district attorney, and raising their daughter, Lucy. However, the weight of her past looms large, as she has never revealed her history to Theo, creating an internal conflict that is both relatable and frustrating for readers.

Buccola masterfully captures the tension of Lee’s secret, and as a reader, I found myself empathizing with her struggle. The urge to scream at Lee to just come clean is palpable, yet it’s this very tension that propels the story forward. The introduction of a documentary about the missing "Fifteen" and the lone survivor adds another layer of complexity, forcing Lee to confront her past.

The arrival of a woman claiming to be Mona at Lee’s doorstep serves as a pivotal moment in the story. This twist not only reignites Lee’s buried memories but also challenges her perception of family and trust. The character of Lee is intricately crafted; her internal battles and emotional depth make her a compelling protagonist, even when her decisions are frustrating. Buccola’s writing shines in these moments, as she delves into the psychological ramifications of Lee’s upbringing and the impact of her unresolved trauma.

Overall, *The Ascent* is a captivating read that kept me invested from start to finish. The intertwining timelines and the gradual unraveling of Lee’s past create a suspenseful atmosphere that is hard to put down. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns and part of the ending really took me by surprise. I Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking story with rich character development and a touch of mystery. It also seems I enjoy books with a cult theme/aspect to them and this one was no exception.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! 4 1/2 stars rounded up.

Lee Burton is the human equivalent of a browser with 47 tabs open, all buffering, and none of them leading to therapy. In “The Ascent”, she’s got the Pinterest-perfect life: high-powered lawyer husband, baby with cheeks you want to pinch, a house that probably smells like Anthropologie and repressed memories. But underneath that Pottery Barn façade is a woman who has built her entire existence on a foundation of nope. She's the last known survivor of a vanished cult, and instead of unpacking that trauma like a sane person, she wraps it in a weighted blanket and shoves it in a corner of her soul labeled “we don’t talk about that.”

Then one day, this rando shows up claiming to be her long-lost sister, and Lee—bless her anxious little heart—responds with the emotional range of a haunted doll staring blankly into the void. No screaming, no throwing dishes, not even a satisfying breakdown. Just slow, simmering dread and a descent into paranoia that made me want to stage an intervention. Lee is that girl in every horror movie who hears a creepy whisper in the basement and thinks, “I should investigate.” Except in this case, the whisper is her past trauma and the basement is her entire adult life.

Let’s talk Theo, the husband. Sir. This man has the emotional range of a turnip. He’s the kind of guy who probably responds to a panic attack with “have you tried yoga?” He clocks Lee’s unraveling and immediately starts prepping her room in the psych ward. Not once does he stop to consider that maybe his wife isn’t spiraling because of hormones, but because there’s literally a woman in their house who might be tied to a cult Lee barely escaped from. His support is so nonexistent I started checking the book’s margins for fine print disclaimers.

And then the twist. Ohhhh the twist. You think you’ve got it figured out—maybe even smugly—and then BAM. The book slaps you across the face with a reveal that recontextualizes everything. It’s like watching someone pull off a mask in a "Scooby-Doo" episode only to reveal another mask underneath, and this one punches you in the feelings. It’s intense, unsettling, and actually kind of brilliant in how it reframes all the tiny little moments you didn’t clock the first time.

At the end of the day, “The Ascent” isn’t just a thriller—it’s a slow-burn, identity crisis drama wrapped in suspense and seasoned with cult weirdness. It’s about a woman who has spent her entire life performing stability, while burying every part of herself that was forged in chaos. And yeah, she’s frustrating. She makes you want to reach into the page and hand her a damn personality quiz just to get her started. But her mess is intentional. Painful. Familiar, even. I gave it 3.5 stars because while I sometimes wanted to strangle Lee with her own throw pillows, I also couldn’t look away.

Whodunity Award: For Performing the Gaslight Tango While Tiptoeing Around a Cult-Related Identity Crisis

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC — y’all really said “here, spiral with her.”

The Ascent, written by Allison Buccola, is a captivating mystery thriller that is brimming with suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat and craving more. I found myself unable to flip the pages quickly enough, eager to uncover the next twist in the plot.

The Ascent by Allison Buccola; unfortunately not my cup of tea. Was expecting something different from the blurb - didn't finish this one.

This book follows Ophelia, a woman who was raised in a cult. One day she wakes up to find that everyone else has disappeared & nobody knows what happened to them. It alternates between present day & 20 years ago when she escaped the cult. One day she meets a woman who claims to be her sister & she wants so badly to find out what happened to everyone, but things start getting a little suspicious.

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while. It started off a little slow but I was hooked a few chapters in. It was perfectly paced & I finished it fast. The twist was also good & unexpected. I just wish that we got more background on the cult because that kind of stuff fascinates me & I also wish we got to find out what really happened to Ophelia’s family & the rest of the cult members. Other than that, this was a great read & I would definitely recommend it if you like thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC.

Publication Date: May 20, 2025

Lee is a new mom to Lucy, and is striving to be the best mom she can to this little girl. Lee has not had the easiest life, growing up in a cult and being abandoned by all the members as a young girl when they all suddenly went missing. But she’s determined to make the best of her new life, even if that means hiding it from those she loves the most. But when someone from her past finds her, she is torn between protecting what she has now, and discovering what really happened on that long ago night.

PROS and CONS:
For me, a pervasive sense of dread followed me through this entire book. It is truly a psychological thriller. Maybe I am as paranoid as Lee, but I couldn’t stop worrying about baby Lucy! I was like, don’t let that child out of your sight! Lee, although at times frustrating, is an endearing character who has suffered greatly and just wants a normal life for herself and her new family. But what is normal really? I found the middle to be a teensy bit slow, but overall, I enjoyed it very, very much.

READ IT?
If you are fascinated by cults and enjoy potentially unreliable narrators - then this one’s for you!

4 Stars

Twenty years ago, twelve-year-old Ophelia woke up to find herself utterly alone, left behind by her entire community.

Now, she goes by Lee. She’s a new mother, married to a rising Philadelphia district attorney, and trying to hold it all together in a modest row house. Her baby is colicky and demanding. Her marriage, already strained by threats from a victim in one of her husband’s cases, is teetering. And her husband has no idea about her past. As far as he knows, Lee is estranged from her mother and sister, and has a couple of cousins she rarely sees.

Then one day, a woman shows up on her doorstep, claiming to be her long-lost sister, Mona. Lee is stunned. She’s torn between fear—of her husband uncovering the truth—and overwhelming hope that maybe, just maybe, she has a piece of her family back.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: I love stories about cults. The psychology of surrendering logic and identity to a so-called savior is endlessly fascinating—and terrifying. Just look at Jonestown, the Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate. We know how those stories end.

But what really sets this novel apart is its focus on what comes next.

This isn’t about the cult itself—it’s about the aftermath. The survivors. The ones who didn’t ascend. It’s about trauma, identity, and how you try to build a life on a foundation of secrets. Like Jessica Knoll did in Bright Young Women, Allison Buccola digs deep into that emotional terrain—and delivers something gripping, thoughtful, and unforgettable.

Twists? Oh, yes. Several. And the final one? Absolutely chef’s kiss.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review this stunner of a book.