That was a wild short story—I’m still sure I didn’t catch everything, but it definitely kept me hooked from the beginning. The pacing was quick, almost chaotic at times, which made it hard to keep up but also hard to look away. It had that kind of energy where you feel like something big is always just about to happen.

Some parts were confusing, almost surreal, and I found myself rereading a few lines to make sense of them. But strangely, that added to the charm. It felt like the story wanted me to feel a little off balance, like I wasn’t supposed to have all the answers right away.

Even though I didn’t fully grasp every detail, the mood and tone really stuck with me. It’s one of those stories that lingers in your mind afterward—not because it all made perfect sense, but because it made you feel something. Overall, a confusing but memorable experience.

THE SUBLEt by Greer Hendricks
I don't typically read short stories- but Greer Hendricks name pulled me in. It was a short story that didn’t feel unfinished — which is rare for me. So many short thrillers read like a first draft, but this one was complete, deliberate, and quietly unsettling in the best way.

I could’ve read more, especially about Melody and the Lavender Club — that soft, eerie cult energy pulled me in immediately. I wanted to know everything. I wanted to join. 💜

The ending came quickly, but that feels true to the form. Glad I picked it up!

This was boring. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon for the eARC of this novella in exchange for my review

Eerie, elegant, and packed with psychological tension, The Sublet is a masterclass in slow-burning suspense. Greer Hendricks serves up an irresistible mystery wrapped in Manhattan charm and laced with just enough dread to keep you sleeping with one eye open.

The premise hooks you instantly: a dream apartment sublet that quickly turns into a nightmare—but what really makes this story sing is its layered exploration of trust, identity, and the secrets we lock behind polished doors. As reality starts to blur, so does your ability to guess what’s coming next.

Hendricks is a queen of the twist, and this one lands with a gasp. Think: The Girl on the Train meets You—but make it sleek, smart, and intensely atmospheric.

This was a short and quick read but I feel like so much was skipped over. I read this in less than half an hour. I just don’t feel like it was long enough to have built and laid the story out well enough for me to understand fully.

I love Greer Hendricks' books so I was excited to hear about this short story! It was exciting and interesting, and I wasn't too sure how it was going to go. I was impressed with how much she managed to fit into not too many pages. Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this ARC!

A short yet captivating read from Greer Hendricks. Follows a ghostwriter through an interesting client with demanding requests. Their lives continue to get more tangled until Anne figures out the truth. How far will she go?

I was a bit confused by this story. The story follows Anne, a ghostwriter, who gets a job writing for the famous Melody Wells. Melody offers Amne to sublet her apartment that is perfect for Anne and her nine year old twins. Once Anne moves in she begins to see that things are not how they appear.

Great premise and build-up, but ultimately disappointing. Doesn't really offer much and lacks punch as a short story.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Great quick read by Greer Hendricks. She's really able to dive deep into both of the main characters in just over 60 pages. Honestly wish there could have been more.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one being a novella. It was a quick and easy reas. I liked the plot and the writing style. I'd recommend this one!

Book Review: The Sublet by Greer Hendricks

I recently had the pleasure of reading an advance reader copy (ARC) of "The Sublet" by Greer Hendricks, courtesy of NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories. This short story is a gripping and suspenseful tale that showcases Hendricks' talent for crafting psychological thrillers.

Plot Summary: "The Sublet" follows the story of a young woman who sublets an apartment in New York City, only to find herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies. The protagonist's journey begins with excitement and hope for a fresh start, but soon turns into a nightmare as she uncovers disturbing truths about the apartment's previous tenant. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Characters: Hendricks has a knack for creating complex and relatable characters. The protagonist is well-developed, with a backstory that adds depth to her motivations and actions. The supporting characters are equally intriguing, each with their own secrets and hidden agendas. The interactions between the characters are realistic and add to the overall tension of the story.

Writing Style: Greer Hendricks' writing is engaging and immersive. The pacing is perfect for a short story, with each chapter leaving the reader wanting more. The descriptive language paints a vivid picture of the setting, making it easy to visualize the eerie atmosphere of the sublet apartment. Hendricks' ability to build suspense is evident throughout the story, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

Themes: "The Sublet" explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the search for truth. It delves into the psychological impact of living in an unfamiliar place and the fear of the unknown. The story also touches on the idea of starting over and the challenges that come with it.

Conclusion: Overall, "The Sublet" is a captivating and well-written short story that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Greer Hendricks has once again proven their ability to create a compelling narrative with memorable characters and a suspenseful plot. I highly recommend this short story to anyone looking for a quick and thrilling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Anne is a ghost-writer, working for the ever demanding Melody on her new wellness book. As Anne's life becomes more entangled with the demanding Melody, strange things begin to happen. Anne and her family move into a sublet, recommended by Melody, and incidents begin to occur in the apartment. This was just ok for me, maybe because it was just a short story, so things weren't very fleshed out.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Imagine stepping into someone else's life, only to find it wasn't what you expected. Greer Hendricks’ "The Sublet" is not just a story; it’s a psychological maze, a meticulously crafted web of suspicion and secrets that will leave you questioning everything you think you know. This is a world where every smile might hide a lie, and every friendly gesture could conceal a dangerous motive.

We are drawn into a seemingly simple situation—a sublet—that quickly spirals into a chilling game of cat and mouse. There’s an atmosphere of unease from the very first page, a sense that something is lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to be revealed. The tension builds slowly, like the quiet hum of a threat growing louder, until you’re on the edge of your seat, heart pounding.

Hendricks masterfully peels back the layers of her characters, revealing the hidden vulnerabilities, the dark pasts, and the tangled relationships that bind them together. You’ll find yourself constantly shifting alliances, unsure who to trust, who to believe. Is what you're reading real, or is it a carefully constructed illusion?

"The Sublet" is a masterclass in suspense. It’s a book that gets under your skin, that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve finished the final page. Prepare to be captivated, to be disoriented, and to be utterly gripped by this twisting, turning tale of secrets, obsession, and the dangerous game of playing someone else’s life

Published by Amazon Original Stories on April 1, 2025

“The Sublet” is a short story. Amazon makes it available to Kindle users for a couple of dollars. It’s also available in print on a self-publishing platform.

Anne is a ghostwriter. She agrees to help Melody Wells finish a self-help book. Melody is filled with New Age attitudes about self-improvement. In addition to teaching overpriced wellness classes and writing books, Melody is hawking supplements and crystals. Anne notices that Melody’s lifestyle advice is either simplistic or contradictory, but she needs the money so she starts grinding out the pages.

Anne is married to Paul. The story’s setup depicts the turmoil of a couple living in Manhattan with two kids. Melody tells Anne that she knows of an affordable sublet that would give them more space and a better view. Anne and Paul visit the apartment and, despite their inability to enter a locked closet, make a quick decision to move in. It apparently doesn’t occur to Anne that affordable rent in a Manhattan apartment with a view is going to come with a catch.

A batty neighbor tells Anne that the previous tenant drowned in the apartment’s jacuzzi. Since the apartment doesn’t have a jacuzzi, Anne chalks up the puzzling statement to age-related confusion.

After they have lived in the apartment a bit, Anne notices that there is no door in the hallway to their neighboring apartment. She also realizes that there are scratch marks on an interior wall that appear to have been made by a cat with six toes. Oh, and the supplements that Melody gave her seem to be upsetting her stomach.

This sounds like the setup to a horror story — what evil six-fingered monster lurks behind the locked door? — but the reader is not so lucky. A monster would have been a more credible answer to the mystery than the one that Greer Hendricks contrives.

Anne’s investigation of strange facts leads to a confrontation with Melody and a solution to the puzzle. The solution is both unbelievable and unbelievably dull. By the time Anne turns the tables on Melody, using a ploy she must have gleaned from movies in the 1940s — a ploy that depends on Melody being remarkably inattentive — I no longer cared what happened to Anne. Her Manhattan problems are unlikely to be of interest to anyone who doesn’t live in Manhattan, while Melody is a parody of a villain. New York City residents might relate to the story, but for me, the thrills and chills fell flat.

NOT RECOMMENDED

2.25/5

I found this short story to be really underwhelming. For all the build up and setting, the 'twist' at the end felt too generic. Additionally at the end, the whole getting the confession scene was completely unrealistic. Overall a rather quick read but not really worth it in my opinion.

For a short story i thought it would have had a more jaw dropping powerful twist. The characters were interesting but felt like the ending really fell sort of flat. Had the potential to be very interesting

Okayyy, this one totally caught me off guard . First of all—thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I had no idea what I was getting into with this short story, but it delivered. 👏

Anne is just out here trying to do her job—ghostwriting a new motivational book for famous author Melody Wells—and suddenly I’m questioning every word on the page and side-eyeing every creepy corner of that house. At first, I thought we were heading straight into haunted house territory (and honestly I was READY for that), but then... BAM. That ending. 😵

No spoilers, but I literally had to reread the last page twice because WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED. It wasn't jump-scare scary—it was that slow-building, “something’s not right here” kind of tension. It plays mind games with you, and I love that.

Was it short? Yes.
Was it sharp? YES.
Did I appreciate the clever twist over a neat little predictable wrap-up? 1000%. 😌

This is the kind of story that makes you sit for a second after it ends, blinking like “wait, did I just get played in the best way?”

A solid 4 stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick, clever, and delightfully eerie. If you love a short story that messes with your head just a little—this one’s for you.