Esther, the Ex veterinary student, is coping with her past losses and trauma, and suddenly, her sister Jasmin disappears without a trace. Police are not at all bothered about Jasmin as she is junky.
One night, Esther is contacted by a soldier who tells her about the secret mission happening in White Mountain, exactly where Jasmin disappeared. Esther becomes determined to join the mission, impersonating a Navy Seal sniper to discover the truth about White Mountain.

I went into the story thinking 💭 it was a horror thriller, but it turned out to be a mix of thriller, mythology, goddess, and Viking lore—a unique plot. It was fun to explore this genre.

The story is action-packed, full of tension, monsters, and drama. I love Esther's determination to go to any length to find out the truth about her sister's disappearance.
The story gets a little repetitive in the middle, but that doesn't diminish the suspense and enjoyment of reading it.

It's a well-researched book about Native tribes, Vikings, Norse history, and gods of woods.

If you love mythology fiction with a twist of thriller, you should definitely try this .

I love the I kill killers series and will definitely read anything S.T. Ashman writes! So I was excited to dive into her new book and it definitely kept me intrigued and was such a unique plot! You Can't Stay blends horror, thriller, and supernatural while delving deep into North mythology and native lore! I really liked Esther's determination and devotion to finding her sister. This book keeps you engaged throughout and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Thank you NetGalley and S.T. Ashman for the privilege of an ARC of this book.

You Can't Stay by S.T. Ashman is a psychological thriller about a young woman trying to find her sister in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Victory Editing and of course the author  for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.



My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Esther's sister vanished a year ago, but no one seems to care, but Jasmine was the only person she had left in the world.  Esther has been struggling.  She couldn't concentrate at school, so she's one course shy of her veterinarian certificate, but she had to quit.  She's working as a vet's assistant, but is about to be fired from there too.  Yes, Jasmine was an addict, living on the streets, but she's everything to Esther.

Since the police won't help, Esther has turned to the internet, where she has discovered that there are dozens of missing people,  mostly those on the edge of society. People that no one seems to care about.  People that were last seen getting into a black SUV.  It looks like they are being taken deep into the woods in New Hampshire's White Mountains, never to return.  Someone thinks it's the government.

With the help of one of her website contacts, Esther lies about her identity, and enters the woods with a group of highly trained military personnel.  She's not sure how she's going to fit in, but her only priority is finding her sister.  She's going to have some unlikely help.

Meanwhile, Ryder, a convicted murderer, and one of the best trackers in North America, has been removed from prison and is headed into the woods as well.  He immediately pegs Esther as an imposter, but decides to just watch her.




My Opinions:
Well, that was an interesting tale, combining both the Vikings, and the history of the Pequqwket Tribe and Abenaki People.  Folk lore and mythology combined well for a spooky tale. The author did a great job with combining the histories of these two, with a modern-day story.  There was also an appendage providing additional details of these - the author did her research!

The plot was filled with plenty of action, and some notable characters.  Personally, the white fox was my favorite, followed closely by Esther and Ryder.  Their backgrounds were deep enough, and very interesting.

Be warned that some of the scenes are gruesome, but that didn't bother me.  They were just part of the story.

Overall, a really good, fast-moving story, and a reminder that I must get back to her other books.

This was such an amazing read. The way I learned so much about Norse mythology while still being engrossed in the book was awesome. my favorite character was Jensen with all his funny side comments including "Dying by a shield maiden's hand-kinda kinky. And I like kinky." Im so happy i got to read this before it was published because now i cannot wait to see what else you as a author will come up in the future.

You Can’t Stay by S.T. Ashman blends sci-fi, horror, and thriller elements into a dark, atmospheric story that definitely has its strengths. The concept is original and intriguing, and the author does a solid job building suspense and unease throughout.

That said, the book just wasn’t quite my cup of tea. While the story overall was great, I found the pacing a bit slow in places, which made it harder for me to stay fully engaged. There were moments that really worked, but others that dragged for me personally.

For readers who enjoy a slow-burn sci-fi horror with a tense, unsettling tone, this could be a great fit. It wasn’t the best for me, but I can still appreciate the storytelling and creativity behind it.

In this dual POV, Esther's sister disappears and she's driven to uncover the truth. Her search reveals a shocking pattern: dozens of people have vanished in New Hampshire's White Mountains, and the government is involved. Esther joins a group sent into the mountains, determined to expose the secrets. But as she delves deeper, she realizes some secrets are meant to die. Will Esther survive to uncover the truth? You Can't Stay is a wild ride! It's got a little bit of everything - horror, supernatural stuff, fantasy, mystery... and it's all mixed together with some really cool mythology and folklore. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, wondering what would happen next. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, S. T. Ashman, & Timeless Papers for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, S.T Ashman and NetGalley for this amazing ARC!
Wow this was so gripping, suspenseful and the slight Norse mythology vibe is just so phenomenal.

The story is about Esther who is determined to find her sister Jasmine who went missing.
As Esther searches for Jasmine the trails lead her deep within the white mountains of New Hampshire a rather eerie environment only adding to the suspense.

The part that stands out the most to me is just how determined and resilient Esther is when it comes to searching for Jasmine.
Esther is such a compelling character due to how she navigates through the eerie wilderness, facing all kinds of danger showing off her courage. Her bond with her sister is what makes it so emotional, really emphasizing how great the stakes are.

Overall, You Can't Stay is not just another mystery, it's about perseverance and love while in the face of adversity.
If you like a bit of folklore and Norse mythology, then this is definitely the book for you!

I have to say this book really took me by surprise. Esther's sister vanishes without a trace and nobody cares but her. After her parents die in a fire, her sister Jasmine is all she has left. When Esther gets a chance to go into the secretive wooded area the government sends people that vanish she takes it. Will she find her sister? Will she disappear also? This book takes you on a ride from page 1 you won't soon forget!

Grown adult, now sleeping with a nightlight because of this absolute masterpiece? That’s me. I was clutching my sheets, heart racing, flipping on every light before stepping into a room. I went in expecting a thriller, what I got was pure, pulse-pounding horror-thriller excellence. OH MY GAH… this book devoured me!

Esther is on the hunt for her sister that has been missing for 2 years. Esther goes undercover and hooks up with some military guys to go up a mountain with many challenges.
Truly enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Timeless Papers.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in advance.
Great story!!!! When I started I had no idea I would be taken on a journey of mythology and then blending that in with everyday characters. I really enjoyed the storyline and how each person brought the story together. Had a hard time putting thus book down. Cant wait to read more from this author.

Great book! Was so invested in every second of the story. Thank you for letting me read in advance. Cannot wait to read other things from this author.

A Norse spin on the Blair Witch Project”

I devoured this sci-fi/mystery novel in 2 nights! Super fast paced and unpredictable

5⭐️

This book was very interesting! And unlike any book I’ve ever read. The mix of modern times and ancient Norse mythology and lore kept me intrigued and interested. I loved how bad ass the MFC was and what she was willing to do for those she loved! A great story of ancestry, courage, and the many spirits of the lands and world.

Fast paced, action packed, dark, deadly, gripping and bloody entertaining! You Can't Stay: A Dark Thriller is a book that kept me on my toes and turning the pages! I enjoyed the mingling of genres such as horror, supernatural, fantasy, and mystery mixed with Norse mythology and Native folklore in this book. I also enjoyed the twists, turns, and shocking moments which had my pulse pounding and my fingers turning the pages! This book was like Predator meets Annihilation, meets The Blair Witch Project, meets The Hunger games, meets.... you get the picture. I found this book to be entertaining, atmospheric, and hard to put down. I won't want to take a stroll through the woods anytime soon after reading this book!

Esther, who is just shy of becoming a veterinarian. is desperate to find her sister, Jasmine who disappeared without a trace two years ago. Esther has been desperately searching for Jasmine, but it is Esther who has been found by a woman in the military. The woman asks Esther to take her place on a mission into New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Woods that people enter and are never seen again. Desperate to find her sister, Esther agrees to take the female soldier's place.

Ryder is a tough as nails character who has led his teams through many harrowing and dangerous situations. He is in prison at the beginning of this book, but the government needs him and his unique skills to deliver cargo into the White Mountains. He has a keen eye and strong ties to his heritage.

Esther and Ryder are in the same military group which enters the woods and things get interesting fast! Once the action starts, it never gives up. There are things that go bump in the night and then there are well.... you will need to read this book to find out!

I enjoyed the use of Norse mythology and Native lure. (At the end of the book the author gives further detail into what is shown in this book.) This book is oozing with atmosphere and vivid descriptions. Have you ever gotten turned around or lost in the woods? Then you know the feeling that the characters begin to feel in this book. I loved the chilling and eerie vibe that permeated the pages. I also loved the growing tension, the sense of dread, and the mounting danger which leapt from the pages! Like the characters in the book, I never knew what was going to happen next and that is one of the things that I enjoyed most about the book. It's unsettling and adds to the unease felt by the characters. Do things get OTT? Sure, but that just adds to the drama, the danger, the threat, and the unrelenting sinister feel of the woods. Whew!

Entertaining, fast paced, eerie, dark, dangerous, and hard to put down.

Omg!!! This book! I have no words.
The suspense and horror. You want answers and to know what is going on!

Horror fantasy thriller... It's all those genres. I think.
Norse mythology. Natives. I love it. I highly recommend all reading the notes at the end. I always read all when I read books. There is so much extra wow factor.

Esther is a fantastic caring character that I believe many might feel a bit drawn to. I understood her in so many ways. She's stronger than she believes.
She's is a vet student but loses her spot because she saves a white fox after hours.
Her sister has been missing for 2 years, and she's been searching all this time. Police don't seem to care since her sister was a drug addict etc. People dissappear, and only those who won't be "missed."
One late evening, all changes. She changes places with a Ranger. SEAL sniper. Enters the military mission as Wager. Her ID and all. Can she fool them. Is it true she might find her sister there? Dead? Alive?
Why the secrecy? What's in that forest?

Viking, Huldra, stone giants, Seiđkvinne etc... They must keep safe. Stay together. Keep to the path and find the safety of the huts before dark.

This book 🤩 is my first read from this author, and I will absolutely follow her and read more from her for sure.

I was able to get this as an ARC through NetGalley. I’d also like to give a HUGE thank you to S.T. Ashman for not only giving me a chance to read this, but for also reaching out to make sure I was aware of what I would be reading. This was my first book by her and I’m adding more to my TBR instantly! 🖤

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Esther is struggling with a lot after the loss of her family in a fire when she was little. Now as an adult she’s dealing with the disappearance of her sister Jasmine and she’s desperate for ANY chance to find her. Which leads to a late night meeting with a hope to learn more about her disappearance.

Add in the elements of Norse mythology and Native folklore the book is filled with dark and sinister secrets. Will Esther survive the unimaginable monsters that lurk in the vast darkness of the woods? Does she find out what happened to her sister Jasmine? All I can say is that this book should be a MUST for everyone wanting a good creepy thriller.

If you’ve read I Kill Killers, you already know S.T. Ashman doesn’t do “mild.” But You Can’t Stay isn’t just a new chapter in her bibliography—it’s a whole new direction. Still razor-sharp, still dark at the core, but this one veers wildly into horror-fantasy territory with Norse gods, ancient rage, government secrets, and something monstrous crouched in the woods of New Hampshire.

At the center of the story is Esther, whose sister—a struggling addict—disappears. Everyone else has already written her off. Esther doesn't. She refuses to move on, and instead barrels straight into large-scale conspiracy. Think: dozens of missing people, a national forest with secrets, and some kind of government-sanctioned activity that smells simultaneously like folklore, rot, and cover-ups.

The pacing is relentless. The woods are terrifying. And the stakes are higher than an Odin fever dream.

Ashman threads real historical details into the story, weaving in Viking mythology and Native American perspectives with surprising nuance. It’s not just monsters and myths—it’s about the legacy of colonization, erasure, and the brutal things that get buried, both literally and not.

Esther is the kind of protagonist you sweat for. Her search for her sister isn’t just emotional; it’s existential. Every chapter feels like a countdown to something worse. And when she finally walks into the heart of the woods, the tagline—“Not everything lost should be found”—starts to feel less like a warning and more like a scream.

This book is like a genre blender set on high—producing Norse mythology, backwoods horror, deep-state paranoia, and just the right dose of odd. It’s strange. It’s smart. It’s a lot of fun. You’ll laugh nervously. You’ll Google weird stuff at 2 a.m. And you’ll wonder what exactly is watching from the trees. If The Blair Witch had an axe and a government clearance badge, she’d live in these pages. Highly recommended.

Release: April 30, 2025
Author: S T Ashman
Publisher: Victory editing

Rating: 4 ★ 

You Can’t Stay by S.T. Ashman is an intriguing blend of horror, thriller, and supernatural elements that takes you on a wild ride through mythology and mystery. The plot follows Esther, a nearly qualified vet tech haunted by the loss of her family in an arson attack, and her missing sister, Jasmine. When a mysterious soldier reaches out, offering a mission into the White Mountains that could hold clues to Jasmine’s disappearance, Esther takes matters into her own hands. She impersonates a sniper to infiltrate a high-risk operation and joins a team of elite individuals on a treacherous journey into the forest, where danger, secrets, and nightmares await.
At first, the story seems like it could be a slow burn, with Esther’s tragic backstory and determination to find her sister taking center stage. However, once the action picks up, the plot takes a thrilling turn, introducing brutal and gruesome scenes, terrifying creatures, and plenty of suspense. The incorporation of Norse mythology and Native American lore adds a unique layer, creating a captivating and unpredictable narrative that you won’t want to put down.
One of the most compelling aspects of the story is Esther's unwavering determination, which keeps you hooked as she faces unimaginable challenges. Although the idea of her impersonating a sniper is a bit far-fetched, it’s still a fun and engaging premise. The story keeps the tension high, and the characters, including Ryder, the soldier, are well-developed and interesting.
However, it’s not without its flaws. Some readers might find the shift into science fiction and Viking lore jarring, and the blending of cultures, particularly the Native American elements, may feel somewhat out of place for some. While I personally found it intriguing, it’s a sensitive area, and I can understand why others might question whether the story was told in the right way by the author.
Overall, You Can’t Stay is a unique and fast-paced read that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and thriller into a captivating adventure. It might be a little outside the box for some, but for fans of gripping, action-packed stories, it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s a fun and unpredictable ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s lurking next in the forest.
Esther’s world is shattered when her sister, Jasmine, disappears without a trace. As a struggling addict, Jasmine's disappearance is dismissed by everyone, but Esther refuses to give up. Determined to find her sister, Esther’s search uncovers disturbing secrets about a string of other disappearances, all linked to the same eerie location. Each year, the government sends a group of people into the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and every year, none of them return. When another group is sent into the woods, Esther joins them, hoping it will lead her to answers. But some secrets, buried deep in the wilderness, are far too dangerous to uncover—and not everything lost should be found. 

Favorite Quote:
"the journey inward is the most profound one we will ever take, and yet it often requires the courage to face the things we fear the most."

You Can't Stay by S.T. Ashman is an engaging horror thriller with elements of Norse mythology and Native cultures.

Esther is a nearly qualified vet tech and she is haunted by a tragedy that happened when she was younger. Her sister Jasmine had pulled her out of an arson attack on their home but their parents and grandmother did not survive. Last year, Jasmine disappeared. She was an addict so the local cops figure that she just took off. But Esther is determined to find her. When a soldier contacts Esther and tells her about a secret mission to deliver cargo to the White Mountains, Esther thinks that this mission just might lead her to clues to Jasmine whereabouts. Taking places with the soldier, Esther impersonates a top sniper to be able to attend the op meeting. Joined by a group of the best of the best, Esther begins a terrifying journey into the forest of the White mountains. But will she be able to find Jasmine? And what else is lurking in the woods?

This was such a unique plot! You Can't Stay blends horror, thriller, and supernatural while delving deep into North mythology and native lore! I really liked Esther's determination, no matter what happens or what she sees in the forest, she will not stop her hunt for her sister. This novel is written in such a way that you are engaged throughout and can't wait to see what happens next. This is definitely different from S.T. Ashman's I Kill Killers series but I definitely recommend giving it a try!!

Thank you to NetGalley and S.T Ashman for this Arc!! Publication date is April 10th 2025.