I don't normally go for paranormal stories, and I didn't realize that's what this one was (I thought it might be the kind where the characters think it's paranormal in nature but then it turns out to be regular people behind eveything), so this one wasn't totally my thing, but I do think the suspense and creepy-crawly vibes were well done! It definitely creeped me out, especially the messages that appeared, and it got my heart pounding a few times.

Harrison's collective of work is uneven for me; I love some of it; some of it lets me down, but I keep trying her! This title falls somewhere in the middle. All of the characters were a little flat, and some of them with the most interesting potential were brief. The main character was completely unlikeable and because of this, I never had a moment when I was really invested or scared by the demon. I'm not a reader who needs to be terrified to enjoy a horror story, but I do like to feel some feelings about the characters; I'd particularly like to feel some concern for their wellbeing. I didn't have that experience here. I enjoyed the family dynamic with dad and mom maybe not being who the kids were told they were. Maybe if that storyline had been a little more focused then I would have been drawn in. By the end, the main character had a moment of clarity, but it was too late at that point and I was left feeling as if it was tenuous at best.

Clio Barnes and her sisters Daphne and Leda inherit a haunted house when their mom dies. A demonic house, actually. Or was it? After her parents divorced, the sisters moved in with their mom to a house that her mother eventually claimed was inhabited by a demon. She even wrote a book about it. When the sisters inherit it, Clio decides to fix it up and flip it, against the wishes of her father and sisters. They all claim her mother was lying about the demon. Clio was young and doesn't remember much about it - only what her family has told her and what her mother claimed.

Despite it being about a demon house, the fights and squabbles among the family members feel realistic. Clio, the youngest of the sisters and the most spoiled, is a frustrating character because she seems so real - from the the influencer fakeness and partying lifestyle to her bad choices in dating. Even the house has its own personality, as though it is a character in the book as well.

Frankly, I would read anything Rachel Harrison writes, even if it's about something that sounds ridiculous. But this book was right up my alley. A haunted house, a demon, and a dysfunctional family. What more is there to love?

I gave this book a 5/5 ⭐️! Wow, this book was one of the first books that I’ve read that actually terrified me. I was so scared and I felt like there were some points where I had to stop reading it. The story was well written and I love how every character had their own personality and you could see it. I literally felt like I was watching a scary movie! The writing and atmosphere of this book left me speechless! This was a great horror book!

Growing up Clio’s house was possessed by a demon. That's what her mother always claimed -a seemingly crazy belief which scarred Clio and her sisters deeply.  After not having contact for years she suddenly dies and it's Clio that is tasked with fixing up and selling the house that’s been the center of so much family trauma.    Her mother wrote a memoir of what happened in that house all those years ago, and Clio finds a copy and starts to read it.  Her mother’s account of the haunting is chilling in more ways than one- she was branded crazy, driven to drink, lost custody of her daughters and eventually became completely estranged from them.  As Clio renovates the house strange things start to happen, noises, voices, written messages. She finds herself on a dark path to repeating her mother’s tragic history and opening all the wounds her sisters and father have tried so hard to heal.  This well executed version of a classic haunted house story is a real page turner with enough of an original spin to stand out.  The fractured and emotional family dynamics and shared childhood trauma feel very real and it is as much this as the story itself that works so well.  Readers will find this creepy and atmospheric tale hard to put down.

I'm a big fan of Rachel Harrison's writing, and this was no exception! This was a fun and thoroughly creepy take on the haunted house story - maybe not wholly original in its basic plot, but the characters and spookiness made up for that easily. At one point, I was reading in the dark during a power outage and jumped out of my skin when the electricity came back on. That's the sign of a well-done horror novel!

Oh, Rachel Harrison you're back. Yeah, she didn't go anywhere. I was lovestruck by Cackle and then sort of lost interest in her other titles, though I've read them all. It's really a personal thing, or sometimes life's timing shakes things up. But this...yes! Haunted House books are my favorite trope in horror and the gothic element of crazy vs real demon was perfectly balanced. I was so sad to finish. Also, the romance subplot wasn't as overt as in some of her other books. That, for me, and lot of true horror readers, is a huge plus. Genuine scares in this one. Good stuff.

Wow! I read Rachel Harrison's latest book in one day! It was so good! I haunted house...a haunted family...loved it!

This is Rachel Harrison's best book yet, scary and tragic and haunting, the darkness undiminished but rather highlighted by the same occasionally playful and humorous tone that threads through all of her books. Harrison does not miss, and this time she absolutely killed it.

Another hit from Rachel Harrison. This was a clever twist on the haunted house trope and the demons (sometimes literal) that haunt us. Harrison has a knack for spinning a tale that will have you turning the pages and she writes excellent endings. Perfect popcorn horror.

FIVE STARS. I DEVOURED THIS.
Thank you Berkley!
This book is utterly unforgettable—dark, profound, and emotionally sharp. Clio is one of the most distinctive protagonists I’ve come across: chaotic, stubborn, and wildly compelling. She may not be to everyone’s personal taste, but that’s exactly what makes her so magnetic. Rachel weaves a story that doesn’t shy away from emotional messiness, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about love, trauma, and identity.

The writing is razor-sharp and thematically rich, exploring how our demons shape us—and how facing them is the only way to true connection. And yes, it’s terrifying in the best way. Some moments are so haunting they linger long after you’ve closed the book.

If you’re ready for a story that digs deep and leaves a mark, this is the one to pick up. I’ll be reading this authors other work and praising this one for a long time.

This was a delightfully twisty look at the paranormal and the realities of co-habitating with a demon. Clio was an intriguing main character and the change in her mental state as she uncovered more about her and her mother's past and became more entangled in the world of the house was very interesting to follow. I wasn't sure what was actually happening and what was not (on this astral plane at least). Clio's sisters, Leda and Daphne, and her father rounded out the main cast. They were all complex characters and we slowly got to peel back the layers and discover what was underneath. Overall this was a thrilling, exciting book and I think it'll be perfect for spooky season.

This is a really good spooky book about family, relationships, childhood, and trauma. It's funny and a little spooky and a great pick for Halloween season.

Rachel Harrison's Play Nice is a masterful blend of psychological horror and family drama that redefines the haunted house genre. The story follows Clio Louise Barnes, a 25-year-old fashion influencer who inherits her mother's allegedly possessed childhood home after her sudden death. While Clio views the property as an opportunity to create viral content, her sisters see it as a painful reminder of their traumatic past. As Clio begins renovations, she uncovers unsettling truths that blur the line between supernatural horror and familial dysfunction. Harrison's writing skillfully intertwines eerie suspense with emotional depth, creating a narrative that is both chilling and poignant.
The novel delves into themes of memory, trauma, and the complexities of familial relationships. Harrison examines how the past, especially unresolved family issues, can haunt individuals in both literal and metaphorical ways. Clio's journey of self-discovery and confrontation with her family's dark history is compelling and relatable. The character development is rich, with each sister embodying different responses to their shared trauma, making their interactions both tense and emotionally charged.
Play Nice stands out as a significant achievement in Harrison's oeuvre, offering a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. The novel's exploration of the supernatural serves as a powerful allegory for the real-life horrors of family secrets and personal demons. With its atmospheric tension and complex characters, Play Nice is a must-read for fans of horror that resonates on a deeply human level.

As with all Rachel Harrison books, this book was a beautiful portrait of the complicated relationships between women (this time for sisters as well as between a mother and her daughters) and a deeply atmospheric horror novel that had me reading the book out in the sunshine instead of at night in bed. I absolutely love Harrison's writing and can't believe it took me so long to find her books. Now that I'm hooked, though, I find myself waiting impatiently for the next one every year like clockwork. I loved Clio and her journey to understanding her mother through the book left for her as well as the demon inhabiting her childhood home. Her influencer career paired so well with her recalcitrant personality and had me wishing that I knew more people with her spitfire tendencies and her willingness to believe in herself. This book was such a hit for me!

Rachel Harrison has become an “auto-read” author for me. I was so excited to see her next book would be about a haunted house. Play Nice is a sharp, fast-paced novel that blends dark humor with supernatural thrills, and I found myself finishing it quickly. Rachel Harrison delivers her trademark wit and feminist edge, creating a story that’s both entertaining and provocative. While I enjoyed the book overall—the snappy dialogue, vivid characters, and eerie atmosphere—it didn’t fully stick the landing for me. Some plot points felt underdeveloped, and I was left wanting a bit more depth. Still, it was an enjoyable, quick read that fans of Harrison’s style will appreciate.

In *Play Nice*, Rachel Harrison returns with her signature blend of female rage, supernatural revenge, and sharp wit, delivering readers another delightfully dark feminist horror-comedy that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The story centers around three women—former best friends haunted by a long-buried secret—who are reluctantly brought back together when their shared past literally comes back to life. What starts as an uneasy reunion quickly transforms into a bloody reckoning, where monsters are both metaphorical and disturbingly real. Harrison excels at this genre blend: her horror is self-aware yet never cynical, feminist without being preachy, and laugh-out-loud funny even as the body count rises.

*Play Nice* is another triumph for Rachel Harrison—ideal for readers who enjoy their horror with a feminist twist, their humor dark, and their stories infused with just enough heart to elicit both laughter and tears.

Thank you to the Netgalley and Berkley Pub for my e-ARC of Play Nice!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🏚️ grew up in a haunted house
📖 had a mother who wrote a book about you
🤫 are surrounded by family who constantly lie to you
📸 consider yourself an influencer

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Clio Louise Barnes leads a picture-perfect life as a stylist and influencer, but beneath the glossy veneer she harbors a not-so glamorous secret: she grew up in a haunted house. Well, not haunted. Possessed. After Clio’s parents' messy divorce, her mother, Alex, moved Clio and her sisters into a house occupied by a demon. Or so Alex claimed. That’s not what Clio’s sisters remember or what the courts determined when they stripped her of custody after she went off the deep end. But Alex was insistent; she even wrote a book about her experience in the house.

After Alex’s sudden death, the supposedly possessed house passes to Clio and her sisters. Where her sisters see childhood trauma, Clio sees an opportunity for house flipping content. Only, as the home makeover process begins, Clio discovers there might be some truth to her mother’s claims. As memories resurface and Clio finally reads her mother’s book, a sinister presence in the house manifests, revealing ugly truths that threaten to shake Clio’s beautiful life to its very foundation.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

I will never not read a Rachel Harrison book, because I absolutely love her unique mix of paranormal with the absolute boredom of reality. It’s always such a great mix! This one was probably my favorite so far because I love a good haunted house story, and I really enjoyed Clio’s character. I found myself constantly rooting for her because I didn’t trust her family one bit, and I felt so bad that she was having to handle this demon stuff all on her lonesome. I think the book excerpts from her mom’s POV was my favorite part though, since she was no longer around to give her truth. Definitely recommend this one if you’re also a huge fan of haunted house stories!

Is this how good all of Rachel’s books are? Because what the heck have I been doing not obsessing over reading every book she’s ever written? This book was straight up brilliant.

I can see how Cici Clio won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. She is incredibly stubborn, reckless unpredictable and chaotic, but I think that’s exactly what I love so much about her. She stands out to me as being such a unique protagonist that I somehow rooted wholeheartedly for while simultaneously being mad at almost everything she does. I bet her presence alone will turn off a certain percentage of people, but for those who feel about her like I do, this book I will be one of the best ones you’ll read this year.

The thematic resonance of how unique each of our inner demon’s fingerprints are is profound. I love the push towards confronting the messiness of truth, even if it means upending previously held images of those we love. I mean, how can we really say we love someone if we don’t love their flaws and trauma-inflicted souls? Don’t evade messiness to sustain peace. I know I’ve been guilty of this, and it’s a hard lesson to learn.

I won’t forget this book for a long, long time. Oh, did I mention it’s also terrifying? It contains some of the most subtly haunting moments of any book I’ve read. That demon really got under my skin.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been gifted an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC. I can’t wait to keep hyping this one up throughout the rest of the year.

What do you get when you mix influencer life, sister drama and a haunted house? Play Nice by Rachel Harrison. I haven’t been legit scared by a book until I read this one. Definitely something you want to read with the lights on…or off, if your demons play nice. This one’s for you if you like witty sarcasm, a bit of gore and unresolved family issues. Oh, and a fab FMC who speaks her mind, has a closet I want and awesome hair.