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Trespass Against Us
Perfect for fans of Ace of Spades and The Taking of Jake Livingston, this young adult horror debut is told in dual timelines, following a group of teens as they visit an abandoned school for troubled youth and then return two years later to confront the supernatural evil they awoke there.
Two years ago, Riley visited the abandoned and allegedly haunted religious reform school Dominic House with his boyfriend, Ethan, and his best friends, Colton and Vee.
Ethan never came out. Colton’s leg will never quite heal, Vee is branded as hysterical, and Riley has horrific scars as a reminder of that night.
Now, at eighteen, Riley hasn’t exactly moved on, but he’s kept away from all things paranormal.
Until legendary ghost chaser Jordan Jones shows up with an offer: return to Dominic House with her to film an episode of her Spirit Seekers TV show.
Riley may have vowed never to return, but he has unfinished business at Dominic House. With a reluctant Colton and Vee at his side, Riley is determined to find out what happened to Ethan once and for all.
But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life— he’s reliving it.
With an eerily elegant voice, dual timelines that slowly unravel a chilling ghost story, themes of religious trauma, and secrets in every corner, Trespass Against Us is the kind of horror story that will keep you up long into the night.
Two years ago, Riley visited the abandoned and allegedly haunted religious reform school Dominic House with his boyfriend, Ethan, and his best friends, Colton and Vee.
Ethan never came out. Colton’s leg will never quite heal, Vee is branded as hysterical, and Riley has horrific scars as a reminder of that night.
Now, at eighteen, Riley hasn’t exactly moved on, but he’s kept away from all things paranormal.
Until legendary ghost chaser Jordan Jones shows up with an offer: return to Dominic House with her to film an episode of her Spirit Seekers TV show.
Riley may have vowed never to return, but he has unfinished business at Dominic House. With a reluctant Colton and Vee at his side, Riley is determined to find out what happened to Ethan once and for all.
But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life— he’s reliving it.
With an eerily elegant voice, dual timelines that slowly unravel a chilling ghost story, themes of religious trauma, and secrets in every corner, Trespass Against Us is the kind of horror story that will keep you up long into the night.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
30 people are currently reading
7430 people want to read
About the author
Leon Kemp
1 book42 followersLeon Kemp was born and raised in rural Australia among a maze of grape vines and citrus orchards, perfect for wayward explorers. Presently, they live in Melbourne, where they achieved a bachelor of arts with a major in creative writing.
They hope to continue weaving stories about queer kids surviving both the kindest and cruelest extremes the world has to offer.
When not writing, Leon spends most of their time watching, playing, and reading all things horror, as well as doting on their cats, Midnight and Mayhem, and their dogs, Casper and Lady. Trespass Against Us is their debut novel.
They hope to continue weaving stories about queer kids surviving both the kindest and cruelest extremes the world has to offer.
When not writing, Leon spends most of their time watching, playing, and reading all things horror, as well as doting on their cats, Midnight and Mayhem, and their dogs, Casper and Lady. Trespass Against Us is their debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 29, 2024
buzzfeed unsolved but give it queer religious trauma
July 19, 2024
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
This was an absolutely incredible YA “ghost hunters”/ haunted building trope, horror adventure (with some awesome characters— the MC was 🤌🏻🤌🏻 ) & had the most adorable gay boys everrrrr 🥹. Need I say more?
This was an absolutely incredible YA “ghost hunters”/ haunted building trope, horror adventure (with some awesome characters— the MC was 🤌🏻🤌🏻 ) & had the most adorable gay boys everrrrr 🥹. Need I say more?
June 20, 2024
Mini blurb: The three teen survivors of a ghost-hunting expedition where one of them disappeared (while the others got physically and psychologically scarred) accompany a TV crew to the place after two years to get closure; but answers come at a price when they find themselves battling the same malevolent presence that hurt them the first time.
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Harper Teen (Harper Collins) for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
Building up more on atmosphere, tension, creepiness and trauma than it does on horror (but still providing a powerful, if familiar, climax), Trespass Against Us is a well-executed dual-timeline story offering lots of insight into its protagonists at 16 and at 18, and managing to make them feel tridimensional and real in both narratives - not to mention, to convey the changes they underwent due to growing up and surviving a tragedy. While I expected the synopsis to be more literal than it turned up to be ("Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life - he’s reliving it" doesn't mean the group gets plunged into the past like I thought it would), and though as a seasoned Supernatural fan I recognised most of the tropes Kemp employed (plus I had to suspend disbelief for a couple of not-ghost-related points), I found the story to be captivating (gay romance included), and I appreciated the friendship rep in all its messy, ultimately heartwarming glory. Least but not last, I thought the ending was clever and more grounded than a similar one I've read recently , plus open enough without leaving major loose threads. I've probably read too many afterlife/supernatural/horror books to get surprised anymore, but teens will be godsmack 🙂.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Harper Teen (Harper Collins) for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
Building up more on atmosphere, tension, creepiness and trauma than it does on horror (but still providing a powerful, if familiar, climax), Trespass Against Us is a well-executed dual-timeline story offering lots of insight into its protagonists at 16 and at 18, and managing to make them feel tridimensional and real in both narratives - not to mention, to convey the changes they underwent due to growing up and surviving a tragedy. While I expected the synopsis to be more literal than it turned up to be ("Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life - he’s reliving it" doesn't mean the group gets plunged into the past like I thought it would), and though as a seasoned Supernatural fan I recognised most of the tropes Kemp employed (plus I had to suspend disbelief for a couple of not-ghost-related points), I found the story to be captivating (gay romance included), and I appreciated the friendship rep in all its messy, ultimately heartwarming glory. Least but not last, I thought the ending was clever and more grounded than a similar one I've read recently , plus open enough without leaving major loose threads. I've probably read too many afterlife/supernatural/horror books to get surprised anymore, but teens will be godsmack 🙂.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).
September 25, 2024
Four teens go into a haunted house, but only three come out. It's not a super unique premise, but I was hooked once I started reading nonetheless. I wanted to know what happened to Ethan. I don't tend to like when stories keep past events from me as a way of forcing mystery, but dual timelines is a valid storytelling method and one that I felt worked well to build the mystery and tension here.
I also wanted to know what would happen in the present. The story kept my attention and was just the right amount of spooky for me. Not super scary, not gory (some injuries, not overly described), but there were ghosts and weird things happening.
I liked all the teen characters, even Colton. They were imperfect, but it was clear they were all just struggling and dealing with trauma in different ways. I also really liked the strained friendship dynamic. How they had their issues, but they used to be close and went through something traumatic together and were still going to look out for each other when it mattered.
Speaking of, I love that the effects of what they went through, both times, were acknowledged and part of the story. They were all affected emotionally, and some of them were affected physically. It felt realistic and grounded.
The audiobook narration by Max Meyers was great! The characters all sounded different and natural with slightly different voices and slightly different ways of talking that suited them. I enjoyed the audio.
Overall, I liked this! I was into it. I wanted to know what had happened in the past and what would happen in the present, and I enjoyed the paranormal spookiness and the realistic aftermath and the struggling but trying their best characters.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes haunted houses, paranormal horror that isn't too scary, imperfect characters doing their best, strained friendships, and dual timelines that reveal the mystery slowly.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
I also wanted to know what would happen in the present. The story kept my attention and was just the right amount of spooky for me. Not super scary, not gory (some injuries, not overly described), but there were ghosts and weird things happening.
I liked all the teen characters, even Colton. They were imperfect, but it was clear they were all just struggling and dealing with trauma in different ways. I also really liked the strained friendship dynamic. How they had their issues, but they used to be close and went through something traumatic together and were still going to look out for each other when it mattered.
Speaking of, I love that the effects of what they went through, both times, were acknowledged and part of the story. They were all affected emotionally, and some of them were affected physically. It felt realistic and grounded.
The audiobook narration by Max Meyers was great! The characters all sounded different and natural with slightly different voices and slightly different ways of talking that suited them. I enjoyed the audio.
Overall, I liked this! I was into it. I wanted to know what had happened in the past and what would happen in the present, and I enjoyed the paranormal spookiness and the realistic aftermath and the struggling but trying their best characters.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2024 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes haunted houses, paranormal horror that isn't too scary, imperfect characters doing their best, strained friendships, and dual timelines that reveal the mystery slowly.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
September 4, 2024
This was a fun read overall, but I enjoyed the first half more than the second. It had some creepy moments, and I loved the story concept. In the second half, though, it loses some steam, and starts to get repetitive. I found myself checking out after a while, but it would eventually draw me back in. This is probably more like a 3.5⭐, but I'm going to round up for this one since I still enjoyed it.
If you're a fan of things like Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum or Grave Encounters, this is a good book to check out!
If you're a fan of things like Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum or Grave Encounters, this is a good book to check out!
August 18, 2024
Rating: 4.25
Super creepy, and hard to put down.
I don't often read horror because I'm a baby and too scared of it, and I definitely was freaking out during parts of this book lol.
I really liked Riley, and I thought the dual timelines worked well to keep both the mystery alive and the pacing on track.
The ending was also really lovely and felt like it fit the book.
Thanks to HarperCollins and Harper360 for the ARC.
Super creepy, and hard to put down.
I don't often read horror because I'm a baby and too scared of it, and I definitely was freaking out during parts of this book lol.
I really liked Riley, and I thought the dual timelines worked well to keep both the mystery alive and the pacing on track.
The ending was also really lovely and felt like it fit the book.
Thanks to HarperCollins and Harper360 for the ARC.
August 3, 2024
To the author and anyone who doesn't speak spanish: Absolutely stunning. I see that this book only has a few ratings, as it came out less than a month ago and it's a debut novel, but I hope that changes quickly, this book deserves attention, it's well written, compelling and it took a place in my heart instantly. I hope to read more works like this in the future.
Todo en este libro me pareció perfecto, amé a los personajes, la forma en que cada uno de ellos siente, su amistad, su batalla después de una tragedia y finalmente su unión a pesar de todo, me hacen creer completamente en el amor.
Me gustó que estuviera cambiando entre el pasado y el presente, un pequeño problema de esto es que no sentí que fuera a profundidad con el pasado, no es una queja, pero es donde se ve que aun no ha tenido mucha practica le autore con este tipo de narración. Como persona que ha escrito guiones tratando de usar la misma formula, es muy difícil, creo que lo logró en su mayoría, pero sí se siente bastante sencillo. Esto no le quita nada a la historia, es solo un detalle que anoto porque me llamó la atención.
Necesito que este libro se haga famoso, viral, que todo mundo lo lea, porque realmente creo que lo merece. Es un libro bonito, con una vibra de terror atrapante, y que destaca en su uso de personajes.
Todo en este libro me pareció perfecto, amé a los personajes, la forma en que cada uno de ellos siente, su amistad, su batalla después de una tragedia y finalmente su unión a pesar de todo, me hacen creer completamente en el amor.
Me gustó que estuviera cambiando entre el pasado y el presente, un pequeño problema de esto es que no sentí que fuera a profundidad con el pasado, no es una queja, pero es donde se ve que aun no ha tenido mucha practica le autore con este tipo de narración. Como persona que ha escrito guiones tratando de usar la misma formula, es muy difícil, creo que lo logró en su mayoría, pero sí se siente bastante sencillo. Esto no le quita nada a la historia, es solo un detalle que anoto porque me llamó la atención.
Necesito que este libro se haga famoso, viral, que todo mundo lo lea, porque realmente creo que lo merece. Es un libro bonito, con una vibra de terror atrapante, y que destaca en su uso de personajes.
Read
February 15, 2024i finished this like six hours ago and have NO memory of what happened so that's probably fine
August 29, 2024
Horror, religious trauma, and a sweet romance. Sign me up for this author's next book
September 26, 2024
I adore a good horror or ghost story. I spend a fair bit of time watching ghost hunting shows on Streaming platforms and youtube so I was more than a bit excited to read Trespass Against Us and I can say it did not disappoint.
The first thing I want to say is that Kemp knows how to use a dual timeline. Sometimes I feel that these can get messy, particularly when we are going into almost a flashback and then back to present but Kemp kept the lines clean, matched them will and keeps you engaged.
The second thing I loved was the characters. Ethan is a really interesting protagonist. More so he is extremely human so I found it easy to sympathize with him and want to find out more. This ties in well with the writing. Kemp is brilliant at creating realistic setting and characters. This helps not only draw us in as readers but build a creepy atmosphere on top which just makes it more perfect.
In all Trespass Against Us has everything I need from a haunted house story, it’s creepy and sometimes slower pace helps build atmosphere, dread and tension, the characters are likable, the mystery is well crafted and the horror is just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you love haunted house fiction this one is a definite must read.
As always thank you to Harper360YA and Netgalley for my e-arc. My review is always honest and truthful.
The first thing I want to say is that Kemp knows how to use a dual timeline. Sometimes I feel that these can get messy, particularly when we are going into almost a flashback and then back to present but Kemp kept the lines clean, matched them will and keeps you engaged.
The second thing I loved was the characters. Ethan is a really interesting protagonist. More so he is extremely human so I found it easy to sympathize with him and want to find out more. This ties in well with the writing. Kemp is brilliant at creating realistic setting and characters. This helps not only draw us in as readers but build a creepy atmosphere on top which just makes it more perfect.
In all Trespass Against Us has everything I need from a haunted house story, it’s creepy and sometimes slower pace helps build atmosphere, dread and tension, the characters are likable, the mystery is well crafted and the horror is just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you love haunted house fiction this one is a definite must read.
As always thank you to Harper360YA and Netgalley for my e-arc. My review is always honest and truthful.
March 31, 2025
Ok wild but I loved this book wtf. I never give 5 stars but I had such a fun time reading this. The characters were great, the relationships were believable, it was sufficiently creepy and sure I predicted a few things here and there but getting to those points was always a really enjoyable journey. I’d read a sequel if it was written but even if it’s isn’t I’ll be following this author to see what else they write!
October 27, 2025
This was an excellent YA horror, and I can't believe I haven't seen more people talking about it! Genuinely creepy and hard to put down, this is a perfect spooky season read!
July 7, 2025
Second read for Disability Pride Month with chronic pain and PTSD rep.
An atmospheric, slow-burn ghost-hunting horror book with great queer rep. Think Hill House meets YA paranormal with a dash of found footage energy thanks to the Spirit Seekers TV show angle. I’m always down for a good “reluctantly return to the haunted place” story, and this one delivers.
The dual timelines work really well here, slowly peeling back the layers of what happened that night at Dominic House and the fallout that shaped the characters afterward. Riley’s trauma is front and center, and the book doesn’t shy away from depicting the long-term impact of surviving. There’s also a strong undercurrent of religious trauma, and while the scares aren’t super intense, they creep slowly up on you. It’s unsettling in that quiet kind of way more than full-on terrifying.
I will say, the ending felt a little too neat for me. I love a satisfying conclusion, but personally, I prefer my horror endings a bit more ambiguous or bittersweet. Still, the characters deserved that peace, so I’m not mad about it.
Overall, this was a fun read!
An atmospheric, slow-burn ghost-hunting horror book with great queer rep. Think Hill House meets YA paranormal with a dash of found footage energy thanks to the Spirit Seekers TV show angle. I’m always down for a good “reluctantly return to the haunted place” story, and this one delivers.
The dual timelines work really well here, slowly peeling back the layers of what happened that night at Dominic House and the fallout that shaped the characters afterward. Riley’s trauma is front and center, and the book doesn’t shy away from depicting the long-term impact of surviving. There’s also a strong undercurrent of religious trauma, and while the scares aren’t super intense, they creep slowly up on you. It’s unsettling in that quiet kind of way more than full-on terrifying.
I will say, the ending felt a little too neat for me. I love a satisfying conclusion, but personally, I prefer my horror endings a bit more ambiguous or bittersweet. Still, the characters deserved that peace, so I’m not mad about it.
Overall, this was a fun read!
October 10, 2024
Trespass Against Us starts with Riley, working his usual shift at the coffee shop, when ghost hunter Jordan Jones pays him a visit, and makes him an offer that’s hard to refuse. We soon learn that Riley was involved in a horrific tragedy, along with 2 of his friends and his boyfriend. Riley’s boyfriend was never found. Immediately this book grips hold of you, and it doesn’t let you go. The need to find out what happened at Dominic House is too great.
Set in two separate timeframes. The now, where Riley, Vee, and Colton return to Dominic House with Jordan and her team, and the before, where the events of their last visit are revealed. I think the changing between the two actually made this book even more intense. The two timeframes bounce off each other perfectly, and the before adds context to the now as they run alongside each other.
The characters are a fantastic bunch. Although the relationships are not always harmonious, the interactions between characters are always enjoyable. When push comes to shove, and they find themselves in dangerous circumstances, despite everything, they do still look out for each other and pull together as a team.
The horror begins to ramp up rather quickly and just keeps increasing throughout. Not many YA horrors unsettle me, but this definitely made me feel uneasy, and I loved that! It culminates in an exciting and terrifying showdown that has you on the edge of your seat, unable to breathe. However, the book actually ends with a beautiful chapter that has you feeling all of the emotion. I am so glad it ended this way, and would love for another book with this group of characters.
This book will send shivers down your spine, and keep you up at night. However, it will also bring you to tears, and warm your heart. A fantastic debut, which has made me extremely excited for what the author brings us in the future. One of the best YA horrors I’ve ever read, and easily in my top 5 books of the year so far!
Set in two separate timeframes. The now, where Riley, Vee, and Colton return to Dominic House with Jordan and her team, and the before, where the events of their last visit are revealed. I think the changing between the two actually made this book even more intense. The two timeframes bounce off each other perfectly, and the before adds context to the now as they run alongside each other.
The characters are a fantastic bunch. Although the relationships are not always harmonious, the interactions between characters are always enjoyable. When push comes to shove, and they find themselves in dangerous circumstances, despite everything, they do still look out for each other and pull together as a team.
The horror begins to ramp up rather quickly and just keeps increasing throughout. Not many YA horrors unsettle me, but this definitely made me feel uneasy, and I loved that! It culminates in an exciting and terrifying showdown that has you on the edge of your seat, unable to breathe. However, the book actually ends with a beautiful chapter that has you feeling all of the emotion. I am so glad it ended this way, and would love for another book with this group of characters.
This book will send shivers down your spine, and keep you up at night. However, it will also bring you to tears, and warm your heart. A fantastic debut, which has made me extremely excited for what the author brings us in the future. One of the best YA horrors I’ve ever read, and easily in my top 5 books of the year so far!
January 3, 2025
The writing style wasn't my favorite but after 60 something pages you get used to it. I enjoyed the mystery and the switching of the before and now chapters although the beginning of both was quite slow.
Once the story started picking up though, it was decent and kept me on edge. There is one part of the ending that has me confused (not a spoiler but it has to do with Ethan).
Overall, I enjoyed the paranormal and mystery aspect even if it was predictable.
Once the story started picking up though, it was decent and kept me on edge. There is one part of the ending that has me confused (not a spoiler but it has to do with Ethan).
Overall, I enjoyed the paranormal and mystery aspect even if it was predictable.
October 16, 2024
This was really good. I might re read it in the future.
March 14, 2025
LOVEEEEE IT 😍😍😍😍 FAT 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 21, 2025
4.5⭐️
October 4, 2025
3.25 | lowkey just like reading a sam and colby video gone wrong
September 4, 2024
I had trouble keeping everything straight and found myself not really wanting to pick this up to read. I honestly can't tell you anything truly that happens in this book except kids similar to the Sooby Doo gang minus the dog went into a haunted house four years ago, and got attacked, and now the remaining cast is returning, find Dead Boy's Ghost/Not Ghost and a priest is involved somehow...
Anyway.
Anyway.
Want to read
November 30, 2023when i tell you i'm obsessed with this cover
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September 19, 2024A massive thank you to the publisher who provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
At sixteen, Riley and his friends consider themselves ghost hunters and have explored most of the town's supposedly haunted places. They've visited empty buildings and stayed in cemeteries, but nothing that can't be easily explained has happened. Then, they visit Dominic House. As an old religious reform school, the house has its history of disappearances, and thanks to Riley and his friends, one more name is added to the list of the unexplained missing.
Two years later, Riley has scars from that night. Physical and emotional ones. With frequent nightmares of Ethan, the boyfriend Dominic House stole from him, it's almost an instant no when Jordan, from the famous ghost hunting group Spirit Seekers asks him to return to the house and film an episode with her and her team. With a chance to find out what really happened that night, as well as what happened to Ethan and the other missing people, Riley joins forces with friends Colton and Vee, all wary but determined, as well as terrified to go back to the place that's taken so much from them all.
Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this not only left me shook, but it left me needing more ghost hunting/horror in my life. Told via a dual timeline of Riley's first visit and his return, the story is perfectly woven together and has no disjointedness you can sometimes find in dual timelines. The jump back and forth is neatly sectioned by individual chapters and not just plonked in the middle where you're expected to figure out when the scene is taking place.
It's quite a quick read, with a nicely paced plot, and I found myself finishing this quicker than I'd like. (That's not a bad thing, it's not rushed, I was just enjoying it that much I quickly ate it up.) There's enough character development that's in line with the pacing and the plot, but there's definitely more of a focus on the plot/setting which I liked. There's a creepy, dark and just a little religious trauma vibes that is perfect for anyone looking for an easy step into horror, or is looking for a haunted house read in the YA genre. (Don't sleep on the YA horror books, there's so many good ones!)
I'm hoping for more horror from this author (this is their debut), and more adorable gay MCs!
Did I like the book? Yes!
Did I love it? Yes!
Would I recommend it? I would and I will! A creepy haunted house? Ghost hunters filming an episode of their show, non-believing of ghosts? An eerie and dark vibe throughout? Read it! Add it to your spooky season reading list!
This review can also be found at Finally Got Around to It
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
At sixteen, Riley and his friends consider themselves ghost hunters and have explored most of the town's supposedly haunted places. They've visited empty buildings and stayed in cemeteries, but nothing that can't be easily explained has happened. Then, they visit Dominic House. As an old religious reform school, the house has its history of disappearances, and thanks to Riley and his friends, one more name is added to the list of the unexplained missing.
Two years later, Riley has scars from that night. Physical and emotional ones. With frequent nightmares of Ethan, the boyfriend Dominic House stole from him, it's almost an instant no when Jordan, from the famous ghost hunting group Spirit Seekers asks him to return to the house and film an episode with her and her team. With a chance to find out what really happened that night, as well as what happened to Ethan and the other missing people, Riley joins forces with friends Colton and Vee, all wary but determined, as well as terrified to go back to the place that's taken so much from them all.
Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this not only left me shook, but it left me needing more ghost hunting/horror in my life. Told via a dual timeline of Riley's first visit and his return, the story is perfectly woven together and has no disjointedness you can sometimes find in dual timelines. The jump back and forth is neatly sectioned by individual chapters and not just plonked in the middle where you're expected to figure out when the scene is taking place.
It's quite a quick read, with a nicely paced plot, and I found myself finishing this quicker than I'd like. (That's not a bad thing, it's not rushed, I was just enjoying it that much I quickly ate it up.) There's enough character development that's in line with the pacing and the plot, but there's definitely more of a focus on the plot/setting which I liked. There's a creepy, dark and just a little religious trauma vibes that is perfect for anyone looking for an easy step into horror, or is looking for a haunted house read in the YA genre. (Don't sleep on the YA horror books, there's so many good ones!)
I'm hoping for more horror from this author (this is their debut), and more adorable gay MCs!
Did I like the book? Yes!
Did I love it? Yes!
Would I recommend it? I would and I will! A creepy haunted house? Ghost hunters filming an episode of their show, non-believing of ghosts? An eerie and dark vibe throughout? Read it! Add it to your spooky season reading list!
This review can also be found at Finally Got Around to It
September 11, 2024
Riley, Ethan, Vee and Colton are the Ghost Hawks - paranormal investigators with a whole 36 followers on YouTube. They think Dominic House, an abandoned school for troubled youth, is going to be their big break… after all, it is famous for its disappearances. But when Ethan goes missing and Riley, Vee and Colton nearly die, they promise to hang up their ghost-hunting gear forever. That is until two years later, when ghost-hunting celebrity Jordan Jones and her team of Spirit Seekers offer them a large sum of money to return… but the house is determined to finish off what it started. It already has Ethan, but it wants the rest of them too.
This book was creepy and atmospheric; told in alternating present-day and past flashback chapters. There is chaos in the dark, shadows on the walls and ghostly appearances from the missing people…
The characters in this book were jaded and you could feel it from them… Riley is distraught from the loss of Ethan, his boyfriend, and Colton, who irreparably injured his leg the first time around is constantly in pain. Seeing them interact with Jordan and her crew was fascinating as the Spirit Seekers clearly don’t believe in the undead and the Ghost Hawks are world weary from it.
This one gets three stars from me because although I think the action parts of the story were gripping and and I enjoyed the mystery element of it, I just didn’t connect with the characters at all. In the present day storyline, the characters are all 18, but Jordan and her crew are constantly referring to them as kids and treating them much younger imho. Colton and Riley are constantly antagonistic towards the Spirit Seekers due to then being so blasé about the whole thing… they don’t seem to understand that the Ghost Hawks’ friend is literally missing, presumed dead, and keep making jokes about not wondering off or they’ll disappear forever. I prefer character-driven narratives and I think we only get the very top-layer of characterisation here… if you’re someone who prefers more action/creepiness over character development I think you’ll prefer this!
Read Trespass Against Us for:
✨ Ghost Hunters searching a haunted house
✨ Creepy and atmospheric
✨ Past/Present concurrent storyline
✨ PTSD, Chronic pain rep
✨ Religious trauma
✨ Fighting your demons
Thank you so much to Pride Book Tours for including me on a tour for this book! 💕
This book was creepy and atmospheric; told in alternating present-day and past flashback chapters. There is chaos in the dark, shadows on the walls and ghostly appearances from the missing people…
The characters in this book were jaded and you could feel it from them… Riley is distraught from the loss of Ethan, his boyfriend, and Colton, who irreparably injured his leg the first time around is constantly in pain. Seeing them interact with Jordan and her crew was fascinating as the Spirit Seekers clearly don’t believe in the undead and the Ghost Hawks are world weary from it.
This one gets three stars from me because although I think the action parts of the story were gripping and and I enjoyed the mystery element of it, I just didn’t connect with the characters at all. In the present day storyline, the characters are all 18, but Jordan and her crew are constantly referring to them as kids and treating them much younger imho. Colton and Riley are constantly antagonistic towards the Spirit Seekers due to then being so blasé about the whole thing… they don’t seem to understand that the Ghost Hawks’ friend is literally missing, presumed dead, and keep making jokes about not wondering off or they’ll disappear forever. I prefer character-driven narratives and I think we only get the very top-layer of characterisation here… if you’re someone who prefers more action/creepiness over character development I think you’ll prefer this!
Read Trespass Against Us for:
✨ Ghost Hunters searching a haunted house
✨ Creepy and atmospheric
✨ Past/Present concurrent storyline
✨ PTSD, Chronic pain rep
✨ Religious trauma
✨ Fighting your demons
Thank you so much to Pride Book Tours for including me on a tour for this book! 💕
October 7, 2024
Trespass Against Us was quite atmospheric and I definitely found it creepy at times. Because the story features three characters who have been traumatized by a past event, the author does make use of flashback episodes in order to compare the present and the past, something I enjoyed as I was able to compare the reactions of the characters from the previous scenario to now and understand a bit of their character development. Riley, Vee, and Colton nearly died the first time at the haunted house, so understanding how their enthusiasm for exploring haunted houses changed to experiencing major trauma was important to the story line and I do think the author did that very well.
The plot moved along rather quickly and I did find it quite gripping at times. Having shadows around you and constant whispering would have sent me right out the door so I always admire when characters stick around to discover what is occurring in a setting such as this.
For me, the main issue I had with the story was the character development as I just didn’t connect with any of them and they felt pretty one-dimensional. There were a few discrepancies within the story line and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes every time Jordan referred to Riley and company as ‘kids’ considering they were 18 years old. Even if Jordan and her crew don’t believe in ghosts, they could respect the fact that something serious happened to Riley and his friends a couple of years ago and leave the poor jokes at the door. Also, considering someone did not return from the previous stay at the house, why people would want to hide what they saw/heard/experienced is beyond me. If this is just a means to create suspense, I don’t think lack of communication works very well as a trope as it’s pretty annoying.
Trespass Against Us had a nice creepy atmosphere with a dual timeline that I enjoyed. While the pacing was quick, it could be erratic and sometimes skipped over previous things that were mentioned as if the reader would forget they were there, and the character development needed work as I had difficulty empathizing with any of them. That being said, it was still interesting and I would definitely read another book by this author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
The plot moved along rather quickly and I did find it quite gripping at times. Having shadows around you and constant whispering would have sent me right out the door so I always admire when characters stick around to discover what is occurring in a setting such as this.
For me, the main issue I had with the story was the character development as I just didn’t connect with any of them and they felt pretty one-dimensional. There were a few discrepancies within the story line and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes every time Jordan referred to Riley and company as ‘kids’ considering they were 18 years old. Even if Jordan and her crew don’t believe in ghosts, they could respect the fact that something serious happened to Riley and his friends a couple of years ago and leave the poor jokes at the door. Also, considering someone did not return from the previous stay at the house, why people would want to hide what they saw/heard/experienced is beyond me. If this is just a means to create suspense, I don’t think lack of communication works very well as a trope as it’s pretty annoying.
Trespass Against Us had a nice creepy atmosphere with a dual timeline that I enjoyed. While the pacing was quick, it could be erratic and sometimes skipped over previous things that were mentioned as if the reader would forget they were there, and the character development needed work as I had difficulty empathizing with any of them. That being said, it was still interesting and I would definitely read another book by this author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
April 17, 2025
17 April 2025
Read: 16 April 2025
I think there has been a noticeable trend in my reading habits lately. Lots of exploration, mystery, and mild horror — this book was no exception.
Trespass Against Us revolves around a group of friends who own a joint urban exploration-focused YouTube channel, and encounter strange and dangerous forces after entering an abandoned school famous for five murders.
To begin with, I loved the premise of the story. It was kind of similar to We’ll Never Tell, in that four friends break into a house and get more than they expected (well technically this one was a school, but you get my point). The central ‘haunting’ takes place in the school’s chapel, which I thought was such an interesting detail.
I enjoyed the narration of the book too, how it was divided into present-day and flashback scenes. It ensured that there was appropriate context given to the events, especially the parts where they enter again with the Spirit Seekers.
Honestly, for most of the time I was reading, this fell solidly in the four-star category. Until the end. I never thought the day would come, but sometimes cliffhangers are perfectly fine, you know? I felt like the end was just trying to force a ‘happily ever after’ for the characters but it honestly just left me with more questions.
For example: Why did the chapel have such a prominent effect on Ethan specifically and not the rest of them? We're told it’s his ‘family background’ but that’s more of a throwaway line at the beginning. Even in the fight scene, where both Riley and Ethan get possessed, it just felt like it started and ended too quickly without any solid background information as to why it was happening at all. The tone of the ending was just so dissonant from the rest of the story, almost felt like it was an appendix from some other book altogether.
Overall this was a decent read, definitely enjoyable and appropriately spooky and very good for haunted house fans.
TBR (15 April 2025): The phrase 'allegedly haunted religious reform school' was enough to make this an instant add to my list.
Read: 16 April 2025
I think there has been a noticeable trend in my reading habits lately. Lots of exploration, mystery, and mild horror — this book was no exception.
Trespass Against Us revolves around a group of friends who own a joint urban exploration-focused YouTube channel, and encounter strange and dangerous forces after entering an abandoned school famous for five murders.
To begin with, I loved the premise of the story. It was kind of similar to We’ll Never Tell, in that four friends break into a house and get more than they expected (well technically this one was a school, but you get my point). The central ‘haunting’ takes place in the school’s chapel, which I thought was such an interesting detail.
I enjoyed the narration of the book too, how it was divided into present-day and flashback scenes. It ensured that there was appropriate context given to the events, especially the parts where they enter again with the Spirit Seekers.
Honestly, for most of the time I was reading, this fell solidly in the four-star category. Until the end. I never thought the day would come, but sometimes cliffhangers are perfectly fine, you know? I felt like the end was just trying to force a ‘happily ever after’ for the characters but it honestly just left me with more questions.
For example: Why did the chapel have such a prominent effect on Ethan specifically and not the rest of them? We're told it’s his ‘family background’ but that’s more of a throwaway line at the beginning. Even in the fight scene, where both Riley and Ethan get possessed, it just felt like it started and ended too quickly without any solid background information as to why it was happening at all. The tone of the ending was just so dissonant from the rest of the story, almost felt like it was an appendix from some other book altogether.
Overall this was a decent read, definitely enjoyable and appropriately spooky and very good for haunted house fans.
TBR (15 April 2025): The phrase 'allegedly haunted religious reform school' was enough to make this an instant add to my list.
June 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
4.5 stars
4 friends enter Dominic House. 3 leave that night. Riley and his friends have never been the same since. Dealing with mental and physical scars, Riley vows to never enter Dominic House again. That is, until a famous ghost hunting show recruits them 2 years later to help them solve the mystery once and for all. Is Dominic house really haunted? And what happened to Riley’s boyfriend Ethan? This story goes back and forth from chapter to chapter and explains in the past and present what actually happened in Dominic House.
The “finding a friend who disappeared in a haunted house” trope is so vast right now and I’m loving all the books that come out of it. In the beginning it was hard for me to connect with the characters. Riley and Colton both seemed like mega jerks but of course they were the ones who suffered the most in the house. They would be the ones the most bitter about going back. I didn’t like Colton at all until the end. He at least got character development. Ethan seemed like such a sweet boyfriend to Riley and I was heartbroken when he was taken. I would want to go save him no matter what too.
The end seemed rushed but I was still happy with the outcome. I went into this book pretty blind and I was disappointed with the outcome. The end had me smiling so hard my face hurt. This was also a super fast read I was able to get through in a few hours so the plot moves forward very quickly. The main story is only told in a few hours with the flashbacks to the past going over one night.
4.5 stars
4 friends enter Dominic House. 3 leave that night. Riley and his friends have never been the same since. Dealing with mental and physical scars, Riley vows to never enter Dominic House again. That is, until a famous ghost hunting show recruits them 2 years later to help them solve the mystery once and for all. Is Dominic house really haunted? And what happened to Riley’s boyfriend Ethan? This story goes back and forth from chapter to chapter and explains in the past and present what actually happened in Dominic House.
The “finding a friend who disappeared in a haunted house” trope is so vast right now and I’m loving all the books that come out of it. In the beginning it was hard for me to connect with the characters. Riley and Colton both seemed like mega jerks but of course they were the ones who suffered the most in the house. They would be the ones the most bitter about going back. I didn’t like Colton at all until the end. He at least got character development. Ethan seemed like such a sweet boyfriend to Riley and I was heartbroken when he was taken. I would want to go save him no matter what too.
The end seemed rushed but I was still happy with the outcome. I went into this book pretty blind and I was disappointed with the outcome. The end had me smiling so hard my face hurt. This was also a super fast read I was able to get through in a few hours so the plot moves forward very quickly. The main story is only told in a few hours with the flashbacks to the past going over one night.
November 10, 2024
Two years prior, there was a group of four friends - Riley, Ethan, Colton, and Vee. They didn't have a care in the world and were interested in starting up their ghost-hunting YouTube channel. One day, the group decided to up their game and break into the old Dominic House. It was rumored that years ago the priest Father Thomas and five of the students vanished without a trace. The four friends went into the house, but danger struck them once they were in and only three friends escaped the house. Their friend Ethan had vanished, Colton's leg was broken in three places and Riley ended up with burns and scars. Fast forward two years and the case of what happened with their missing friend is now being made into a cold case. This has sparked Jordan Jones who is a new popular Ghost Hunter to do a few episodes on the case and the hauntings. All three friends are stepping in the house for the first time in two years and of course, just as back then- strange things are happening this time Riley might be able to save Ethan as he's not quite human but not quite a ghost and has been stuck in the house for the past two years. Can the friends finally not only solve the crimes that took place in old Dominic House but rescue Ethan once and for all? This book also features an M/M relationship between Ethan and Riley. As a reader, I don't tend to seek out books that have LGBTQA+ representation but am happy to read them when I come across them. This was one of the best M/M YA reads I have read as I just loved the relationship vibes between Ethan and Riley. If you love TV shows like Ghost Whisperer, then you will love Leon Kemp's book "Trespass Against Us".
November 21, 2024
📚 Trespass Against Us
🖌️Author: Leon Kemp
📝P.g.: 304
🖋️Publication: @harper360ya
🗂️Genre: YA Fiction
4,5/⭐️
📌Summary:
Two years ago, four friends went into the abandoned religious reform school Dominic House.
Only three came out.
Riley still bears horrific scars from that night. He doesn’t speak to his friends anymore. And he’s haunted by the truth: Riley’s boyfriend, Ethan, didn’t disappear...Something in that house took him.
Now, alongside TV’s most famous ghost hunter, Jordan Jones, Riley is returning, determined to find out what happened to Ethan.
But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life—he’s reliving it. And this time, whatever lives in Dominic House will make sure they all stay.
📌Review:
The perfect creepy young adult horror story is here. I was on the edge of my seat while reading the whole book. The author managed to create a haunted atmosphere with loving characters and a very sweet romance.
Totally recommend it to fans of young adult horror
📌I would like to thank @harper360ya or the free copy.
#trespassagainstus #leonkemp #harper360ya #books #bookstagram #book #booklover #reading #bookworm #bookstagrammer #read #bookish #booknerd #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #instabook #love #bookshelf #read #booksbooksbooks #bookaholic #libros #reader #bookphotography
🖌️Author: Leon Kemp
📝P.g.: 304
🖋️Publication: @harper360ya
🗂️Genre: YA Fiction
4,5/⭐️
📌Summary:
Two years ago, four friends went into the abandoned religious reform school Dominic House.
Only three came out.
Riley still bears horrific scars from that night. He doesn’t speak to his friends anymore. And he’s haunted by the truth: Riley’s boyfriend, Ethan, didn’t disappear...Something in that house took him.
Now, alongside TV’s most famous ghost hunter, Jordan Jones, Riley is returning, determined to find out what happened to Ethan.
But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life—he’s reliving it. And this time, whatever lives in Dominic House will make sure they all stay.
📌Review:
The perfect creepy young adult horror story is here. I was on the edge of my seat while reading the whole book. The author managed to create a haunted atmosphere with loving characters and a very sweet romance.
Totally recommend it to fans of young adult horror
📌I would like to thank @harper360ya or the free copy.
#trespassagainstus #leonkemp #harper360ya #books #bookstagram #book #booklover #reading #bookworm #bookstagrammer #read #bookish #booknerd #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #instabook #love #bookshelf #read #booksbooksbooks #bookaholic #libros #reader #bookphotography
July 26, 2024
Teenagers, Reality TV and Social Media, First Love, Loss....and GHOSTS.
This audiobook wrecked me. I am one ( being 63 and a gay man) who will usually dnf a slow burn horror story....I am SO GLAD that I did NOT do it this time!
Leon Kemp's tale of 4 teenaged kids who venture into an old, supposedly haunted and run down home for troubled kids, to get ratings for their Youtube channel is one you are soon to ever (if you are ever even able to) forget.
Colton, V, Riley, and Ethan are 4 of the most completely different; yet so alike teenagers. They love anything to do with the supernatural, reality t.v., social media, ....and horror stories. Their lives are about to change one night when one of them disappears, never to be seen again. Dominick House.....a place that will make you wish that you could just be able to walk away from the scars, both the emotional AND physical of being a kid. This book is creepy, and so perfectly written that will experience what the true horrors of life are all about. I will most definitely re read this book many more times before I leave this earth. HIGHLY recommended to anyone who loves a good, creepy and sometimes even scary, and beautifully told coming of age story.
5 Stars and PERFECT narration
This audiobook wrecked me. I am one ( being 63 and a gay man) who will usually dnf a slow burn horror story....I am SO GLAD that I did NOT do it this time!
Leon Kemp's tale of 4 teenaged kids who venture into an old, supposedly haunted and run down home for troubled kids, to get ratings for their Youtube channel is one you are soon to ever (if you are ever even able to) forget.
Colton, V, Riley, and Ethan are 4 of the most completely different; yet so alike teenagers. They love anything to do with the supernatural, reality t.v., social media, ....and horror stories. Their lives are about to change one night when one of them disappears, never to be seen again. Dominick House.....a place that will make you wish that you could just be able to walk away from the scars, both the emotional AND physical of being a kid. This book is creepy, and so perfectly written that will experience what the true horrors of life are all about. I will most definitely re read this book many more times before I leave this earth. HIGHLY recommended to anyone who loves a good, creepy and sometimes even scary, and beautifully told coming of age story.
5 Stars and PERFECT narration
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