such a unique and original concept for a novel. i never would’ve considered such a modern phenomenon like a social media hype house to blend with the classic gothic tale, but here we are.

i feel incredibly neutral about this book. it was fine. i read it, i didn’t dislike reading it, but i won’t sing its praises. the dialogue felt unrealistic quite regularly which pulled me out of the book. the mystery was also, unfortunately, quick lackluster. i wanted something bigger i suppose.

the characters (namely olivia, dayna, and becca) felt like ideas of a person rather than a fully fleshed out character. like, here’s olivia, she’s an orphan, that’s about it. the whole book sort of felt like a bunch of random ideas jumbled together without any real cohesion.

however, i did read this quite easily and did find myself intrigued by certain elements. i love a good gothic setting.

tl;dr: gothic house, influencers lacking personalities, and a mystery reveal that was as exciting as a slowly deflating balloon

**ARC REVIEW**

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.0 Stars)

This was my first introduction to Leigh Stein’s work, and If You Are Seeing This, It Is Meant for You is an intriguing mix of gothic mystery, social satire, and literary fiction. The story follows Danya, a 29-year-old washed-up journalist whose boyfriend dumps her via Reddit (a hilariously chaotic way to open a novel). After hitting rock bottom, she accepts an offer from Craig Deckler a much older man she met as a teenager during her photography days to help manage his decaying LA mansion that now functions as a hype house for influencers.

Among the influencers living there, one is missing: Becca, an enigmatic tarot reader who built a cult-like online following before vanishing. Alongside Danya’s POV, we meet Olivia, an orphan drawn to both Becca and the Deckler house, who auditions to move in and becomes entangled in the mansion’s eerie secrets.

The novel blends internet-age humor, TikTok references, and a critique of influencer culture, creating an atmosphere that’s both modern and unsettling. While the premise is fantastic and the commentary sharp, the execution falters. The narrative feels disjointed at times, and the reveal of what happened to Becca is rushed and lacks the emotional punch it was building toward.

Fates collide after a tarot influencer disappears from a decaying Hollywood mansion in this unnerving gothic mystery and audacious social comedy from the acclaimed author of Self Care.

Contemporary gothic melancholy lit fic that flirts with satire. Doesn’t quite deliver on the promised mystery but worth the read for Stein’s writing and the examination of art versus content, a life lived on social media, and parasocial relationships. Requires at least a tolerance if not mild fondness for TikTok, so I think that might filter a portion of the target audience.

If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant For You is aptly named; I think this book found me at the right time. I requested it because the title and cover combo grabbed me—maybe it was meant for me? (well done, marketing.) This is one of the strongest “influencer” commentary books I’ve read, and I’ve accidentally read a lot of millenial ennui and social media/internet culture books this year (gee wonder why). The research and nuance behind this book takes it beyond “hello fellow kids,” so even the parts of this that feel dated (like the concept of a Hype House in 2025) don’t feel completely out of touch. IYSTIMFY manages to skewer the contradictions of influencer culture while reminding us why people retreat to live their lives online in the first place.

I enjoyed our two contrasting narrators. Between older millennial Dayna—messy, clever, and painfully self aware—and Gen Z Olivia—earnest, anxiety-ridden, and desperate for attention—Stein shows two different sides of TikTok (referred to in text only as The Platform) and the generational divide. Dayna is by far the most compelling character, though I enjoyed all the influencers and their banter. (I was also into Jake and Dayna’s May-December romance and wish all the time spent on Craig had been spent on Jake instead.) I didn’t quite buy Dayna’s abrupt shift and realization at the end, but honestly I think the last twenty percent is rushed across the board and none of the side character arcs are resolved.

I think this book could have been (and should have been) weirder. Olivia’s chapters often take on a feverish quality in her anxiety spirals and lorazepam-tinged narration, but the book never commits to the full fever dream I was waiting for. My biggest criticism is the handling of the reveal around Becca. It involves a trope I personally dislike (is it magic or mental illness) and though the strong writing and imagery carried me through the last twenty percent, the ending is a bit muddled in its ambiguity for me.

I often found myself putting the book down and struggling to return to it because it is such a slow burn. The mystery of Becca’s disappearance unravels with little investigation or tension, and without high stakes or real threat of consequences the pacing often felt brutal. Fortunately, Stein’s writing is sharp and wry and I love the narrative voice (in Dayna’s chapters in particular). I highlighted many passages, and there were moments that hit me right in the chest.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Would I re-read this: Maybe, Dayna’s chapters are very fun. Will definitely be on the lookout for more from Stein.

Read this if you like:
modern gothic
weird girl lit fic
Mona Awad
internet culture satire
Millennial and Gen Z commentary without the vitriol

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for a copy of the eARC.

This is a very fun novel about a late 30s millennial attempting to pivot after a viral break up. At its core this novel explores the insatiable need for attention from strangers on the internet and how that is viewed by different generations of people. I appreciated that we got to see true versions of these people - I know adults like Dayna! - and the lifelong results of grooming by an older man.

This is not a deep dive into the issues and outcomes of society but it will make you think about your relationships, both the real and parasocial, as well as how you might react to such incredible scenarios.

I do wish that the mystery had been the focus for more of the book. We spend time developing important but non essential side characters while sometimes missing the eerie feeling of a gothic novel. At times I wanted to feel like the house was watching me and the walls were moving whether than just being told that was the case

Overall, I think it’s fair to say this is a fun palate cleanser type of story that touched on heavy topics, like grooming, mental illness, stalking, and manipulation without ever weighing down the party.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this! I thought the premise was fun and interesting, but I also felt like some parts were too rushed and the plot a bit inconsistent. Overall I did enjoy it though!

This book was an absolute wild ride from beginning to end. The way the chapters are set up, being so long is really interesting. It gives each of the two woman their time to sign in the narrative and also just kind of confuses things as well? IT was such a grotesque take on what the internet does to us, on what we expect from influencers and brands and even our own selves. I still can't picture how a bunny is supposed to look like Owen Wilson, but maybe that's a mystery for another day.

Hats off to you Leigh.

Not really what I was expecting. It started out kind of weird and it didn't really get better for me. I don't really understand what the point of the plot was, but I definitely didn't vibe with this book.

This is a really good read and has a lot of vibes I love - a crumbling gothic house, a mysterious disappearance, a costumed coterie in search of clues. There are also weird photos, paintings, and tarot card readings.

The story follows several content creators living in a decaying Hollywood mansion, turned into a vibe house to fund repairs. POV jumps around a lot so you can hear events from different perspectives, but you do have to keep mental note of who everyone is.

I really enjoyed being taken down the rabbit hole. The ending is different than I expected, and with an added air of melancholy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

#rabbithole #eightofswords #houseofscaccabarozziwibter22collection

"Fates collide after a tarot influencer disappears from a decaying Hollywood mansion in this unnerving gothic mystery and "incisive social satire" (Town and Country) from the acclaimed author of Self Care.

After her boyfriend dumps her in a Reddit post, unemployed thirty-nine-year-old Dayna accepts an unusual opportunity from a man she stopped speaking to twenty years ago: If Dayna can help Craig transform his crumbling mansion into a successful hype house of influencers, he can restore his birthright to its former glory, and she can bring her career back from the dead.

But missing from the mansion is Becca, an enigmatic tarot card reader who built a rabid fandom with her cryptic, soul-touching videos...and then vanished. With nineteen-year-old Olivia, the newest member of the hype house (and one of Becca's biggest fans), Dayna begins to build a social media campaign around Becca's disappearance that will catapult the creators to new heights of success. Too bad Craig forbids Dayna from pursuing the mystery at its heart.

As Olivia searches for traces of Becca in a labyrinthine house that seems intent on hiding its secrets, and Dayna becomes entangled with both Craig and Jake, the resident heartthrob and the last person to see Becca, the two women make a shocking discovery that will upend everything.

The internet: You may think you're inhabiting it, but is it really inhabiting you?"

Three things I love, tarot, crumbling mansions, and old Hollywood!

hits vape—this was my first impression of ms. leigh stein, and honestly it was a good one. the book is well written and the premise hooked me instantly. i really enjoyed the beginning... it had a lot of momentum!

that said, the rest of the book dragged a bit for me. the chapters are long, but the book kept me curious enough to finish. a fun mystery overall! this isn't a dark or scary read. if your looking for something more chilling and horror oriented, this isn't it. i was hoping for a more gothic, horror driven plot, so that part of me is left a little disappointed. if you like your mysteries on the lighter side... this one might be for you!

thank you netgalley!

I liked the style and writing of this a lot but I despise everything about influencers so ultimately it wasn’t for me. I’d absolutely read another book by the author, though.

A crumbling, gothic mansion being used as an influencer hype house. A TikTok tarot card reader who mysteriously vanishes. A pet bunny named Owen Wilson. This book has countless intriguing elements that could have merged into something great, but settled for ok. I wanted this to get MUCH weirder! Even though it fell short in some ways, it’s still a fun, unforgettable read with sharp commentary on the age of social media. Out 08/26 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!!

Honestly, I loved this. It was so ridiculous and goofy and an amazing commentary about TikTok and the current state of social media influencing.

Dayna was so deeply unlikable, like actually the most selfish and shady main character, but I ATE HER UPPP!! Her dynamic with Jake and Craig was so wild.

I got a bit lost in the sauce towards the end, the direction of the ending was a little murky. But I like that this leaves room for a sequel!

I loved this book and its satirical take on hype houses, fated videos, and silly goofiness.

Never did I ever expect to read a gothic novel about a hype house, but here we are. A razor-sharp satire about the influencer economy and what it means to be perceived in a public way.

Whew, what a wild ride by Leigh Stein! I will caveat this review by saying if I was on TikTok (I know, I know), I think I would have enjoyed this book more. Which is to say, if you are a TikToker, you're gonna love this one. Stein mentions at the end of the book that she ingrained herself into the platform in order to write this book accurately, and it shows. Based on a TikTok "hype house" I was dying to see the videos these influencers made and posted in the derelict and run-down Hollywood mansion. It's such a fun book.

Beginning with flailing Hollywood media reporter Dayna being dumped unceremoniously by her boyfriend via an AITA Reddit post as she's literally driving all her stuff to move in with him, she pivots to an old flame who has invited her to be a part of his hype house mansion to help produce influencers' TikTok videos to bring in money and renovate the mansion. The novel takes an abrupt turn into gothic "Rebecca" territory, which was unexpected and delightful. As we learn more about the 20-something influencers through the eyes of 40 year old Dayna, we see the gap in generations form and, as to expected, an indictment on social media and parasocial relationships begins to form.

Veering on satire, this book is smart, funny, and even a little bit creepy. I love Stein's writing and I know I would have liked the book more if I got all of the TikTok references. Because of that, I felt a bit lost at times (whew, I'm old like Dayna!) and I felt the ending was rushed and a bit flat, but otherwise a really sold read.

This novel is an examination of the intersection of art and content, and the harms that might come from life lived online. We have characters who are caught up in the thrill of chasing likes and gathering fans, all at the expense of real life relationships. The characters are desperately seeking validation and, ultimately, love.

So they gather at a TikTok hype house. Do not worry if you do not know what a hype house is! In this case, it's an old Hollywood mansion in disrepair where the owners are sponsoring young people to come make viral videos that can make them all rich. It's a little company town and if the content creators can't generate enough views, they're out. One of the creators is a tarot card reader and when she disappears, her audience is obsessed with all the conspiracy theories that emerge. And a consultant comes in and wants to leverage the attention to benefit the house. Her previous ties to the house and her own thwarted ambitions add another level of tension.

This is a satire, a heightened vibration meant to serve as a critique of the attention economy. Along the way, however, the author is able to make us care about the characters. They're all working through their pasts and figuring out how to become authentic as artists and friends. My takeaway is that the author has a genuine affection for them and their struggles, which makes this more than social commentary.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had really high hopes for this, but ultimately felt a bit disappointed. The TikTok of it all really started to wear thin for me pretty early on. It was an interesting idea but I’m not sure there was enough for a full length novel.

If you’re seeing this, it’s meant for you! The title definitely got my attention - and maybe this book WAS meant for me?
This was such an unusual book and definitely not the type of book I normally gravitate to. It was recommended to me by Emma Thomasch at Ballantine and I am really glad I decided to read it!
This is both a modern gothic mystery and a scathing (IMO) commentary on TikTok culture and Gen Z. In a way it reminded me of “Yellowface” by RF Kuang- in that it’s a dark satire about something in our current culture. It really highlights the nonsensical-ness of our obsession with likes, clicks and going viral.
Though I don’t even have TikTok and feel, as an elder millennial, that I do not relate (or care to relate) to GenZ at all, this was so entertaining! I enjoyed the beginning half more as I felt the novel sped up in the latter half ended too quickly - and I definitely wanted more!
Thank you to Emily, Ballantine & NetGalley for the advanced copy! If You’re Seeing This It’s Meant For You is out August 26th.

If You’re Seeing This It’s Meant For You is eerie, satirical, and compulsively readable. Leigh Stein manages to take the influencer economy, LA gothic decay, and internet obsession and blend them into a mystery that feels both totally surreal and uncomfortably real. The mansion is creepy, the social dynamics are toxic, and the mystery of Becca’s disappearance unfolds with a slow-burn tension that’s hard to look away from.

Dayna is a fascinating narrator—messy, sharp, and painfully self-aware. Olivia’s chapters add a younger, more earnest counterpoint that deepens the story rather than splitting it. Stein nails the tone: biting but not cruel, disorienting without losing clarity. It’s rare to read a novel that skewers internet culture while still participating in it so knowingly.

This book is for readers who want their social commentary wrapped in mystery, their haunted houses algorithm-fed, and their horror existential. It lingers in the brain long after the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.