This book is definitely a good thriller, the twists might have been a bit predictable but the story was engrossing. The beginning started off slow so it did take me a while to get into the book, but there were moments when they move to the new house and her son becomes mute that I was constantly asking questions inside my head and was on the edge of my seat.

Even though I’ve never been in the position of the FMC, her character seemed so relatable. The controlling husband, the worry for her kids, for herself, for their future, and how she feels trapped and out of options. Domestic violence can be tricky to articulate in a respectful and relatable way, but the author does it wonderfully.

The controlling husband was also very well done as well. The back and forth of his moods, his attempts to reconcile his relationship with his wife after their first breakup, but then his descent back into the behavior that his wife knows all too well.

I did feel the build up took a long time and I found myself eager to get to the scary/thrilling elements, but then when we got to the end I felt it was over rather quickly. I definitely wanted more, but I didn’t guess the twist at the end AT ALL so that kept me happy!

The narrator also did a good job evoking the seriousness and almost dire emotion of the FMC. I really felt like I was put right into the emotions of the characters because of the narrator’s voice and her ability to convey the fear and desperation so (seemingly) easily and effortlessly.

First off thank you so much for approving my request. I am a huge Shade Owen’s fan!

I absolutely devoured this audiobook. I mean, less than one day I had it start to finish because I needed to know.

Okay; that aside.

The Narrator is amazing! She was perfect for this book, and speaks clearly and with enunciation that I only wish all audiobook narrators could achieve. She managed to portray emotions without slipping on her verbal enunciation. 100% amazing.

The book itself is so good! While I did guess early on the Teacher was behind the notes, I was shocked to find out that was actually the case, and I don’t know if everyone would come to the same conclusion or if I just had that weird feeling.

Anyway, I loved how it all wrapped up and was so nicely done! The epilogue cleared up a lot of loose threads which was so awesome.

Firstly, I do listen to lots of audiobooks, but this was difficult. The books is great but it was hard to keep focus due to the narration. Amanda Davidson speaks as if she’s whispering and exhausted at the same time and it was hard to distinguish between time zones. I would choose not to listen to anymore by this narrator as she did not keep me engaged.

The story overall is really good and whilst I had kind of figured out where the story was going it was well delivered.

I will read more by this author but defo not by the narrator

Beneath These Walls by Shade Owen is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that masterfully blends family drama with supernatural intrigue. The story follows a woman, recently escaping a near-death experience at the hands of her abusive husband, as she seeks refuge with her two sons in an old Victorian house passed down by her uncle. While the house offers physical safety, its eerie reputation and the whispers surrounding her uncle’s mysterious past quickly shatter the illusion of peace.

Owen skillfully builds tension throughout the novel as strange and horrific events unfold in the house, forcing the protagonist to confront not only her fears but also the secrets that might be hidden within its walls. The chilling atmosphere of the house is palpable, and as the stakes rise, the sense of isolation and danger becomes almost suffocating. The mother's determination to protect her children serves as the emotional core of the story, grounding the more supernatural elements in raw, relatable emotion.

This book is a dark, page-turning tale that examines the lengths a mother will go to for her children, even in the face of unseen, supernatural forces. The combination of suspense, mystery, and horror, alongside the deeply personal struggles of the protagonist, makes Beneath These Walls a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers with a touch of the eerie. It’s a haunting exploration of survival, the past’s influence on the present, and the primal instincts that drive us to protect those we love.

Beneath These Walls is a suspenseful domestic thriller with several twists. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was coming next. This kept the thoroughly entertained while putting my puzzle together.

I really enjoyed the narration for this book, Amanda Davidson did a fantastic job.

Alice and her sons move into an old Victorian house to escape her abusive husband. However, they soon discover the house has a dark past and strange things start happening, putting them in danger. Despite the risks, Alice is determined to protect her children at all costs.

I am a devoted fan of Shade Owens! I admire the suspenseful writing style infused with darkness. This book delves into many triggering topics, so if you are sensitive to certain themes, I recommend doing some research beforehand. The content is intense and captivating, making it incredibly difficult to set aside.

The main character is relatable, yet not easily likable. Given all that Alice has endured, it is understandable that she is not warm and fuzzy. Instead, she is portrayed as a strong, well-rounded, and fiercely protective mother. It is impossible not to root for Alice and her children, yearning for a resolution that is both reasonable and satisfying.

As the story progresses, the complexity deepens, leaving me wondering how the plot could become even more intricate. The narrative covers dark themes that may not appeal to everyone, as it relentlessly delves into the challenges Alice faces. You find yourself eagerly anticipating a moment of respite for her to rise above her struggles.

The narrator skillfully brought the book to life, leaving a lasting impression that I won't soon forget. I found it challenging to pause the story, when necessary, as it was so engrossing. This is the kind of audiobook that compels you to binge-listen, as the suspense builds to a point where you can hardly catch your breath. I highly recommend adding Shade Owens to your TBR list - any of Shade Owen's books will not disappoint. This book was intense and dark, and I hope more readers will discover its gripping narrative.

Thank you, Red Raven Publishing, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There was a lot in here that wasn't particularly believable. I mean you can take paranoia too far.
Not everyone is out to get you for no good reason.
Despite that, I enjoyed this audiobook.
The narration was good, and there was decent pacing.
I liked the change up towards the end, to get different points of view.
Kept me entertained on many a dull commute.

3.5 🌟

My second book of the day by the author and again the story was strong, the characters (mostly) were well developed and relatable, there were a few moments when I thought we might be crossing over into horror territory.

Again with this title I did find some aspects to be repetitive and the twists to be predictable but I still enjoyed it.

The audio narration by Amanda Davidson was really good.

Huge thanks to Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook 🎧

Shade Owens definitely knows how to grab you from the epilogue! My interest was immediately peaked and I was very curious how this story will play out. This emotional and well written story will pull you in from the very beginning!

Alice is on the run from an abusive ex husband & when she arrives to live at her uncles mansion that was left for her, strange things began to occur bringing unwanted attention to her and her 2 sons. When Alice’s “mama bear” kicks in she will stop at nothing to protect her sons, by any means necessary. An easy to love protagonist with strong character development, as her journey will fill you with tension & hope. You’ll be rooting for her the whole time, but the suspense will keep you wondering how will it all end.

Overall, a gripping and well-written novel, simply put…. A must-read. Amanda Davidson did an excellent job with the narration in the audiobook version. I could literally feel the tension while listening. Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for this listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Beneath These Walls by Shade Owens
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really enjoyed this intense domestic thriller!!
Alice, a mom of 2 boys, is getting mentally & physically abused by her husband. She doesn’t think she will ever be able to get away from him… until one day she is able to. Alice’s uncle has left her his old Victorian house, in his will. This house is in a small town, which is far away from her ex and she is able to change her name. She’s ready for a fresh start for her and her kids. However, some strange events begin to happen in their new location that put Alice on edge.
I love the suspense, mystery and twists throughout the story! It was a fast read for me, as I was hooked!
Thank you to NetGalley for an audio version of this great thriller! The narrator did a fantastic job too!
*It’s out now! Grab your copy!*

I was surprised by who was after her and why. That was a twist I didn't see coming at the end. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Red Raven Publishing for this ARC.

#BeneathTheseWalls #NetGalley

Beneath these walls review

I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version of Beneath These Walls by Shade Owens, and it was an enthralling experience from start to finish. The narrative is masterfully crafted, weaving suspense and emotional depth into a storyline that kept me fully engaged.
The audiobook’s narration was exceptional, enhancing the immersive quality of the story. The narrator’s ability to convey the characters’ emotions and the tense atmosphere added a profound layer to the experience, making it easy to follow and deeply engaging.
The plot is rich with unexpected twists and turns, maintaining a gripping pace throughout. Owens’ writing style is both accessible and compelling, making this psychological thriller a standout in its genre.
In conclusion, Beneath These Walls is a must-read (or listen) for fans of psychological thrillers. Its well-crafted plot, combined with outstanding narration, makes it a highly recommended experience.

Alice escapes an abusive marriage with her two sons, when her uncle leaves her a big and creepy house several states away. It would seem her uncle was not well liked by the locals, and there are rumors that he did some pretty terrible things in the house that Alice now owns. Creepy house vibes, and the threat of Alice‘s husband turning up, makes this a white knuckle ride.

This is my first Shade Owens book and it did not disappoint. The cover and the title was what caught my eye. Throughout the story it made me wonder if Emma (Alice) was the character who was experiencing some sort of confusion, paranoia schizophrenia, and the last few chapters blew my mind. The character reveal in the end was well hidden.
Trigger warnings to anyone who has experienced spousal abuse.
Thank you to Netgally for the audio book preview.

Six months ago Alice decided to run with her sons from an abusive marriage. She receives a phone call that an obscure uncle she hasn't seen in years has left her his huge house. There are many domestic violence triggers in this book, so tread carefully if you're sensitive to this. I really enjoyed this book and had to keep reading to see how this would end. Definitely a great, on the edge of your seat thriller with a crazy ending!!

Thank you to: Red Raven Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC audiobook by Shade Owens
*Publication date: March 3, 2025

4.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (Rounded up) - This book is about Alice, who is in an abusive relationship. One day she gets word that she has inherited her uncle's mansion in another state. This lucky turn of events has Alice, along with her two children, go to the estate to hide from her abusive ex.

Soon after, strange things happen, secrets are revealed, the constant threat of her ex finding them and not knowing who to trust, makes for one wild ride.

This book is a dark, fast paced thriller with twists, turns & tons of suspense which keeps you wanting more.

I didn't love the ending BUT that is not to say I didn't like it. I really enjoyed this book & highly recommend it.

Once again, thank you to: Red Raven Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC audiobook.

#RedRavenPublishing #NetGalley #BeneathTheseWalls