Okay, the thing is… I really love movies about creepy houses. So I’m very drawn to books with this premise but they never seem to fully work for me? Perhaps I’m just not a fan of the horror genre but nonetheless, I picked this one up and didn’t hate it, but also didn’t love it.

My favourite part was the ending, I thought that the twist was extremely clever and I wish that we had gotten to see more of that play out. Things wrapped up pretty quickly and although I felt satisfied I wish that things had come together a bit more quickly.

Narration was well done but also nothing super special, for how little we heard from the second female narrator I’m not sure it was worth adding a third narrator into the mix? It didn’t add a whole lot to the characterization or my overall reading experience.

A Haunting Done Right

I enjoyed every facet of this book. Finally, a haunting story that wasn’t a disappointment! The central mystery of the eerie house kept me turning pages, and I was just as invested in the ebb and flow of Emily and Freddie’s marriage. Even the side thread involving the ravens was beautifully done and surprisingly impactful.

The house itself wasn’t just a setting—it felt like a character with its own presence and secrets. I completely understand the hype I’ve heard about this title. It delivered atmosphere, suspense, and emotional depth in equal measure.

I have mixed feelings on this. I adore Pinborough and because of that I feel like i am not being hard enough on this book. If I'm being blatantly honest this whole book felt like a rip off of the first season of American Horror Story. I know the concept has been done before AHS as well but just the way this is written, the couples dynamic, the style of the house everything just felt like a beat for beat rewrite. It really disappoints me because Pinborough can obviously do so much better. Overall this was a let down for me.

We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough cements the author in my mind as the queen of the twisty ending. I’m so grateful to @macmillan.audio for an ALC of this one. It comes out May 20!

After an accident that almost killed her, Emily and her husband Freddie move out of London to a country house. Almost immediately, Emily feels like there’s something off about the house. Floorboards creaking, books falling off shelves, horrible smells. But her postsepsis condition can cause hallucinations so Freddie doesn’t really believe what his wife is telling him, although his mood has changed too. Emily takes it upon herself to find out more about the history of the house and, not surprisingly, discovers some shocking things.

This story is told from three POVs. The two main ones are Emily and Freddie and both have things to hide when the story begins, which only adds to the creepy, gothic feel of the book. I listened to this one in a day. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. Pinborough does a fabulous job with the pacing, doling out bits of information along the way to keep the reader completely rapt in the story. I wasn’t completely shocked by the ending, but it was a perfect resolution to the story. I’d absolutely recommend this one to anyone who likes stories with gothic—possibly haunted—mansions, complex relationship drama, and great twists.

Each of the POVs had its own narrator—one of whom was the author herself—which made it really easy to get into Emily and Freddie’s heads. I immediately felt transported to England when I heard their voices, and absolutely loved listening. It was the perfect amount of creepy without being outright scary for me, and I’d definitely recommend the audiobook.

Review: We Live Here Now

This was definitely not your typical haunted house story—and I loved that. The audiobook cast was fantastic, really pulling you into the atmosphere and emotional weight of it all. The nods to Edgar Allan Poe, especially The Raven, gave it this deliciously eerie literary depth without feeling forced. The use of ravens throughout was creepy, symbolic, and so well-done. The house itself was haunting, not just because of ghosts, but because of the layers of sadness woven into its history. If you’re into spooky with substance, this one delivers.

This one started very slow for me. The set up for the couple and how they came to be where they are as well as the set up of the 'hauntings' at their new house kinda dragged on. Part of this for me is because I usually shy away from domestic thrillers with a couple hiding secrets and their relationship on the rocks.

Anyway, once the story gets going, I was really invested and couldn't wait to find out what was real, what wasn't and how everything would end. Then the end?! Probably one of my favorite endings to a thriller recently.

So yeah, I almost DNF'd this book, but it turned into one I can't wait to recommend and discuss with people.

Oh and audiobook bonus, the female narrator is Emily from Friends!

For those who enjoy audiobooks, "We Live Here Now" promises to be a truly immersive experience thanks to the captivating narration by Helen Baxendale, Jaime Glover, and Sarah Pinborough. Each narrator expertly embodies their respective roles, adding depth and nuance to the characters and the increasingly sinister events. Baxendale's portrayal of Emily's descent into doubt is particularly compelling, while Glover's voice adds a layer of... let's just say a certain tone that perfectly complements his character. Pinborough's own contributions to the narration further amplify the book's unique and unsettling atmosphere, making for a truly captivating listen.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the immersive listening experience. Consider yourself warned: this house takes things personally.

Sarah Pinborough's We Live Here Now is a chilling, emotionally layered novel that blends horror with psychological suspense in a uniquely unsettling way. With her signature sharp prose and clever narrative twists, Pinborough crafts a story that explores grief, loneliness, and the fear of being truly alone—even in your own home. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere oppressive, and the sense of dread grows with every page. It’s a compact but impactful read, perfect for fans of unsettling domestic horror with a literary edge. Highly recommended for readers who loved Behind Her Eyes and want something darker, weirder, and more intimate.

3.25 stars

This is a Sarah Pinborough book so it is ... different.
The author is trying hard to create a thrilling, chilly atmosphere. Actually, she's often using words like cold, freezing, chilly in every single chapter. But it somehow felt like it missed the mark with me. I just didn't get drawn into the book, and I could easily see what was behind the plot, the storyline.
A decent book and a fast read.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an allowing me to read this book!

**A Dark, Twisty Tale That Keeps You Guessing — Four Stars of Pure Intrigue!** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sarah Pinborough once again proves she’s a master at weaving haunting tales that linger long after the last page. We Live Here Now*is a deeply unsettling, thought-provoking story that explores secrets, trauma, and the haunting weight of the past. From the very first chapter, I was hooked—part psychological thriller, part social commentary, all wrapped in an eerie atmosphere that had me turning pages faster than I could keep up. The characters are complex and flawed, each hiding their own dark truths, which makes you question what’s real and what’s layers of deception. Pinborough’s writing is sharp, suspenseful, and dripping with tension. She expertly keeps you guessing about who can be trusted—and more importantly, what’s lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly quiet neighborhood. It’s a story that will stay with you, provoking reflection on how we handle grief, guilt, and the scars we carry. While it might not be as frantic as some of her other thrillers, We Live Here Now delivers a compelling, dark ride that’ll make your mind race. A solid four stars—unputdownable in parts and beautifully layered throughout. If you love psychological dramas with a heavy dose of atmosphere and moral ambiguity, this one’s for you!

Emily and Freddie move into their new house after Emily's accident. But when she starts hearing noises, Freddie worries she might not have fully recovered after all. This was absolutely fantastic on audio, taking the creepiness to a whole new level! There were a lot of twists and even a raven has a POV every few chapters. Haunted house fans will really enjoy this one!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were fantastic! This book was a nice surprise, I couldn’t stop listening to it, I was so hooked that I finished it in a day. Creepy, atmospheric, mysterious, and spooky.

Reasons why it is a 4 star read for me:
Reason #1 - the main characters were a bit annoying at times, they were literally sabotaging each other for no reason, a lot of tit for tat with these two.
Reason #2 - I knew where the story was heading and what was going to happen, there were still a few surprises but for the most part the main plot was predictable.

Wow this book was mind blowing! Seriously one of the best supernatural thrillers I’ve read in a while. From the very beginning of this book I was completely sucked in. We are introduced to Emily and Freddie the new home owners of this eerie and mysterious home that moved in hopes of a fresh start. Emily and Freddie were both stricken by tragedy recently and are trying to repair their marriage but this home may be tearing them apart. Emily begins to experience supernatural occurrences and we are left to wonder what is truly happening and if her experiences are an act of hysteria or if something truly malevolent is taking place. The book is so high paced and I truly could not put it down. I really enjoyed the plot of this story and the delivery was magnificent. I love a great supernatural thriller and this was done so well. It was spine-chilling and oh so creepy and at times really freaked me out which is exactly the sentiment I want from reading a book like this. Some of the scenes were so chilling and terrifying which is why I enjoyed this book so much! The plot twists at the end were simply chefs kiss and I was not expecting that at all. The narrators did a superb job of creeping me out in just the best possible way and I think that drew me so much more to the story! This book is hands down one of the best thrillers I have read and highly recommend it to thriller lovers that enjoys a book full of suspense and the paranormal elements. I will definitely be picking up any book this author writes. New auto buy author for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook. I definitely devoured it, wanting to know what's in this house and the need to "Find it. Find it. Find it!"

This is kind of a tough one to review without spoilers, so here goes. Emily and her husband Freddie moved to Larkin Lodge, away from the hustle bustle after Emily's near tragic accident.

Looking for a fresh start for their marriage and for Emily to heal, they try their best to move forward. But the house has other plans. Emily starts to hear things and see things, is it all in her head, or is their new house haunted?

This was truly a slow burner, with a gothic atmospheric feel. There were some paranormal aspects, tension when the good parts were going, and some frustration when it stalled lol. Emily was tolerable, but Freddie was a jerk. Even though I couldn't relate to either of them, I understood their actions/reactions. The ending was intriguing, and I'll leave it at that without spoiling it!

3.5⭐️ rounded up.

Amazing! I thought the audiobook really enhanced the spookiness of this story. This had everything I love about creepy old houses - a haunting past, voices whispering in the night, objects being moved along with mysteriously odd neighbors. I really enjoyed the spooky vibes and love this for a haunted house book theme Halloween read. I felt the ending was so unexpected and different and not at all where I thought it was going to go. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC! So well done.

I really enjoyed this one!

This was a wonderfully fresh, twisty take on a haunted house! I love multiple POVs in general but I was OBSESSED with the addition of a raven’s POV in this one!! This also has a “I support women’s rights AND women’s wrongs” element to it as well!

It was a touch slow paced for me at points, but the twists were well worth it.

The narration is also superb, featuring multiple narrators. It really added to the spooky feeling at times!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for the audiobook arc!

🎧 Ever feel like a book is playing mind games with you?
We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough gave me chills in the best way. Narrated by Helen Baxendale and Jamie Glover, this audiobook pulled me deep into the mind of the FMC—and I loved every unsettling second of it.

🌟 4/5 Stars — That twist at the end? I did not see it coming.
🧠 Tropes/Tags: Head Injury, Coma, New Home, Paranormal
⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Death, Blood, Paranormal Experiences
🎤 Narration: Atmospheric and eerie. These voices will haunt your dreams (in a good way).

This story made me question everything—and I live for that. The eerie pacing, the shifting reality, and the unraveling of her mind felt like a slow descent into delicious madness. And when the final piece clicked into place? I just sat there. Stunned.

Instagram review scheduled for May 17th

This book was an original and engaging story that felt fresh, no guessing the end on this one. The first 20% of the book was difficult to get into with the introduction of characters, settings and allusions hinting to the past. The book is set in an eerie old house with a creepy history. The new couple is trying to escape London after Emily has an accident that has derailed their life. The new tenants, Emily and Freddie, come with new secret of their own though. Things around the house start to go wrong and no one is acting like themself. Is Emily experiencing symptoms as a result of the accident, is Freddie secretly plotting against her, is the house turning on them? It was an original and engaging listen. The audiobook was a good format I would recommend. After the forest 20% everything clicked and it was a quick listen.

Thank You Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC!

Okay so this book confirmed that I support women's wrongs because why was I cheering for the woman? Granted, I would argue the husband is worse, but like she kinda didn't help with a lot of things. Not to victim blame, but y'all the should never had ended up together.

I loved the lore of the house though, the darkness and deepness of it. The idea of being trapped forever in one's house and stuck there is just so creepy. I have read so many haunted house novels, and I think this one put a new spin on it and I really appreciated that. The narrators did such a good job making me feeling creeped out with how they brought the characters to life.

I will be buying a shelf trophy copy of this.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.