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We Met In The Forums
STAY AWAY FROM THE BEACH.
In the darkest corners of an anonymous internet forum, Josh and Leo share a morbid fascination for all things grotesque and macabre. When they move into an apartment on the coast together, bringing their online relationship into the real world, they find themselves entangled in a mysterious epidemic.
Forced into a fight for survival, the pair investigate first-hand accounts of a deadly disease spreading at the beach, using the forums to uncover the truth whilst the population is divided by sinister conspiracies. As blood is spilled and flesh is severed, one question remains - what would you do to protect the ones you love?
Combining internet mystery with body horror, 'We Met In The Forums' is a chilling exploration of the depths we’d go to find the truth, and how the incomprehensible can test even the strongest of bonds.
In the darkest corners of an anonymous internet forum, Josh and Leo share a morbid fascination for all things grotesque and macabre. When they move into an apartment on the coast together, bringing their online relationship into the real world, they find themselves entangled in a mysterious epidemic.
Forced into a fight for survival, the pair investigate first-hand accounts of a deadly disease spreading at the beach, using the forums to uncover the truth whilst the population is divided by sinister conspiracies. As blood is spilled and flesh is severed, one question remains - what would you do to protect the ones you love?
Combining internet mystery with body horror, 'We Met In The Forums' is a chilling exploration of the depths we’d go to find the truth, and how the incomprehensible can test even the strongest of bonds.
- GenresHorror
220 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2024
8 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Rob Ulitski
19 books50 followersRob writes visceral, concept-driven horror stories, anchored by complex characters and offbeat narratives.
Born in Portsmouth, UK, Rob received his bachelor of arts in Film Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films, Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.
When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes and haunting local bookstores.
Born in Portsmouth, UK, Rob received his bachelor of arts in Film Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films, Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.
When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes and haunting local bookstores.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 16, 2024
This one was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, so the expectations were really high, I'm happy to report that it did in fact live up to my expectations.
Our main character is somewhat of a terminally online Redditor (the forums are never said to be Reddit but it's all very Reddit coded) complete with the low level apathy and faux intellectual edginess but he's not entirely devoid of charm (he's not entirely lacking self awareness). His characterization was really consistent which I loved.
I also enjoyed that the city was almost a character of its own.
The body horror aspect was great and didn't rely on torture much to my delight. The balance between character exposition/building and action. There's a certain sense of humor to the whole thing which was added to rather than detracted from the story.
The ending punched me in the gut, violently too.
Disclosure: I received an eARC of this book (I bullied the author into giving me one)! It comes out on April 23 on godless and on the 30 on the Zon.
Our main character is somewhat of a terminally online Redditor (the forums are never said to be Reddit but it's all very Reddit coded) complete with the low level apathy and faux intellectual edginess but he's not entirely devoid of charm (he's not entirely lacking self awareness). His characterization was really consistent which I loved.
I also enjoyed that the city was almost a character of its own.
The body horror aspect was great and didn't rely on torture much to my delight. The balance between character exposition/building and action. There's a certain sense of humor to the whole thing which was added to rather than detracted from the story.
The ending punched me in the gut, violently too.
Disclosure: I received an eARC of this book (I bullied the author into giving me one)! It comes out on April 23 on godless and on the 30 on the Zon.
January 29, 2025
First, I'd like to thank Rob Ulitski for providing an ARC of We Met in the Forums in exchange for an honest review. This book was fantastic.
"Just stay away from the water, okay?"
In the coastal, glum city of Portsmouth—something deadly is in the water. We Met in the Forums starts out as a simple story of online friendship between two unruly young men and quickly builds into an intense story of despair, death, and complete body horror. There's a touch of 'love story' in this one, too.
Josh and Leo meet in the forums, bonding over their shared love of the unconventional and macabre. While both of these men are quite nihilistic and bored with life and other people— they take to each other in a way that is indescribable, but quite admirable. They become close enough, eventually meeting in person, with Leo relocating to our depressing setting of Portsmouth.
And then shit starts to get really weird.
People begin to act strangely after getting into the water, and in really gruesome ways. Starting out with what looks like illness— sores, abscesses, and fuzz cover the bodies of the newly diseased. These people begin to spew similar nonsense, self-mutilate, begin mutilating and dismembering one another, committing suicide, and everything in between. Just what exactly is going on in Portsmouth? It's a mystery that Josh and Leo bond over even more during their investigation. There are graphic scenes of these visceral moments, and you begin to wonder if the story follows that of a growing cult. Josh and Leo will find out— maybe.
And while you're reading a fairly graphic story— Ulitski does a fantastic job at creating a narrative that involves a strained LGBTQ+ relationship, the yearning of one friend for the other in an exhausted friendship, perseverance and protection of the ones you love, and weaves in some internet forums as part of the storytelling to chug the reader along.
I enjoyed every bit of this book. If you liked Eric LaRocca's Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, you will love Rob Ulitski's We Met in the Forums. You get the elements of the internet and the story of meeting odd strangers online, while simultaneously receiving a well-written story with components of science fiction, a ton of horror, and plenty of emotion.
I'm eager to read more from Ulitski, as he absolutely has a way of drawing in his readers with well thought out characters and strong plots. This book's official release date is April 30th, with an early drop on Godless April 23rd. Be on the lookout and in the meantime—
stay the hell out of the water.
"Just stay away from the water, okay?"
In the coastal, glum city of Portsmouth—something deadly is in the water. We Met in the Forums starts out as a simple story of online friendship between two unruly young men and quickly builds into an intense story of despair, death, and complete body horror. There's a touch of 'love story' in this one, too.
Josh and Leo meet in the forums, bonding over their shared love of the unconventional and macabre. While both of these men are quite nihilistic and bored with life and other people— they take to each other in a way that is indescribable, but quite admirable. They become close enough, eventually meeting in person, with Leo relocating to our depressing setting of Portsmouth.
And then shit starts to get really weird.
People begin to act strangely after getting into the water, and in really gruesome ways. Starting out with what looks like illness— sores, abscesses, and fuzz cover the bodies of the newly diseased. These people begin to spew similar nonsense, self-mutilate, begin mutilating and dismembering one another, committing suicide, and everything in between. Just what exactly is going on in Portsmouth? It's a mystery that Josh and Leo bond over even more during their investigation. There are graphic scenes of these visceral moments, and you begin to wonder if the story follows that of a growing cult. Josh and Leo will find out— maybe.
And while you're reading a fairly graphic story— Ulitski does a fantastic job at creating a narrative that involves a strained LGBTQ+ relationship, the yearning of one friend for the other in an exhausted friendship, perseverance and protection of the ones you love, and weaves in some internet forums as part of the storytelling to chug the reader along.
I enjoyed every bit of this book. If you liked Eric LaRocca's Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, you will love Rob Ulitski's We Met in the Forums. You get the elements of the internet and the story of meeting odd strangers online, while simultaneously receiving a well-written story with components of science fiction, a ton of horror, and plenty of emotion.
I'm eager to read more from Ulitski, as he absolutely has a way of drawing in his readers with well thought out characters and strong plots. This book's official release date is April 30th, with an early drop on Godless April 23rd. Be on the lookout and in the meantime—
stay the hell out of the water.
April 9, 2024
“We Met in the Forums” explores friendship, love, family dynamics, as well as being a viscerally gruesome horror story. I really enjoyed learning more about our nihilistic main characters, and the relationship that was created initially through an internet connection.
“We met in the forums. A world away from the world outside, a place where anonymous desires and opinions replaced everyday niceties and small talk. A world where mind came first and flesh came second.”
Rob sets the scene of the story by taking readers to Portsmouth. The city is weird and depressing on a good day, but lately people are going missing and others are acting strangely. Bodies turn up covered in a yellow fuzz, decapitated fish wash ashore, & strange objects in the night sky are just the beginning of what roomies Josh and Leo stumble upon.
This was a great read, with a few comedic moments, and I liked the Easter Eggs that tie into some of the author’s other works.
“We met in the forums. A world away from the world outside, a place where anonymous desires and opinions replaced everyday niceties and small talk. A world where mind came first and flesh came second.”
Rob sets the scene of the story by taking readers to Portsmouth. The city is weird and depressing on a good day, but lately people are going missing and others are acting strangely. Bodies turn up covered in a yellow fuzz, decapitated fish wash ashore, & strange objects in the night sky are just the beginning of what roomies Josh and Leo stumble upon.
This was a great read, with a few comedic moments, and I liked the Easter Eggs that tie into some of the author’s other works.
September 21, 2025
We Met in the Forums by Rob Ulitski is a smart, heartfelt exploration of online intimacy, identity, and what it means to truly connect in the digital age. This one gave me strong Reddit vibes—the late-night threads, anonymous usernames, and the way strangers can feel closer than the people sitting beside you in real life.
I loved how Ulitski captured the messy, nuanced dynamics of modern relationships, how attraction, vulnerability, and fear of rejection all play out differently when filtered through screens. The LGBTQ+ rep felt authentic and important, weaving queerness into the story without ever reducing the characters to a single label. It’s really about the complexity of love, trust, and the versions of ourselves we choose to reveal.
I loved how Ulitski captured the messy, nuanced dynamics of modern relationships, how attraction, vulnerability, and fear of rejection all play out differently when filtered through screens. The LGBTQ+ rep felt authentic and important, weaving queerness into the story without ever reducing the characters to a single label. It’s really about the complexity of love, trust, and the versions of ourselves we choose to reveal.
April 30, 2024
Stay out of the water and stay off the internet!
Josh and Leo meet online, sharing an interest in conspiracies and the unexplained. When they notice the fungus and encounter the delirious, they set out to capture the truth that no one is talking about. A truth that embroils them intimately in the secrets that lie in the waters surrounding Portsmouth.
The author effortlessly combines strong character driven narrative with extracts from Internet forums providing a real strength in its ambiguity for character and reader combined. Josh’s loyalty, and somewhat misplaced adoration of Leo, leads him to decisions driven by emotion, rather than logic.
There is some horrific imagery: mutilation and flaying of self and others - so check your triggers before reading. Take the ‘plunge’ - but not in the water!
The cover shows a bleak coastline; a number of people appear to be taking a midnight dip. We Met In The Forums reads vertically from right to left; the author’s name reads vertically from left to right.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Releases on 30 April.
Josh and Leo meet online, sharing an interest in conspiracies and the unexplained. When they notice the fungus and encounter the delirious, they set out to capture the truth that no one is talking about. A truth that embroils them intimately in the secrets that lie in the waters surrounding Portsmouth.
The author effortlessly combines strong character driven narrative with extracts from Internet forums providing a real strength in its ambiguity for character and reader combined. Josh’s loyalty, and somewhat misplaced adoration of Leo, leads him to decisions driven by emotion, rather than logic.
There is some horrific imagery: mutilation and flaying of self and others - so check your triggers before reading. Take the ‘plunge’ - but not in the water!
The cover shows a bleak coastline; a number of people appear to be taking a midnight dip. We Met In The Forums reads vertically from right to left; the author’s name reads vertically from left to right.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Releases on 30 April.
October 18, 2024
Deep inside the internet Josh and Leo dwell, exploring all things dark and horrific. As they decide to bring their friendship into the real world a deadly epidemic infects their coastal community, whatever you do stay off the beach my friends!
How far you would you go to find the truth? How far would you go to save your loved ones? This asks those questions and some. An online dark web horror pulled into reality that will set off your paranoia and have you wading in conspiracy theories that will make you itch!
The infection that explodes from the beaches is terrifying and as the friends delve down searching for clues something truly terrifying is exposed. Written in a journal style with multimedia elements this is a fast paced dive into the dark underbelly of humanity overflowing with gloriously fetid gore.
How far you would you go to find the truth? How far would you go to save your loved ones? This asks those questions and some. An online dark web horror pulled into reality that will set off your paranoia and have you wading in conspiracy theories that will make you itch!
The infection that explodes from the beaches is terrifying and as the friends delve down searching for clues something truly terrifying is exposed. Written in a journal style with multimedia elements this is a fast paced dive into the dark underbelly of humanity overflowing with gloriously fetid gore.
December 17, 2024
Unpredictable creepy horror
I think what I enjoyed most about this novel was it's unpredictability, how it goes in directions I wouldn't have expected from the start of it.
It goes from 0 to 11 so suddenly that you understand why everything seems so grim and hopeless.
I think what I enjoyed most about this novel was it's unpredictability, how it goes in directions I wouldn't have expected from the start of it.
It goes from 0 to 11 so suddenly that you understand why everything seems so grim and hopeless.
December 15, 2024
Josh found Leo in a random internet forum - 'a world from the world outside, a place where anonymous desires and opinions replaced everyday niceties and small talk'.
Bonded by a shared curiosity and morbid fascination for all things grotesque and macabre, Josh and Leo form a connection so deep that they eventually decide to move in together.
But all is not well in the coastal town of Portsmouth. A mysterious and deadly disease is spreading from the local beach (don't go in the water!). People are vanishing without a trace, manifesting random outbursts of violence or meeting horrifying deaths. The online forums are buzzing with firsthand accounts of this bizarre pandemic and conspiracy theories. Josh and Leo decide to dive into the mystery, determined to document and expose anything they can find.
This is my first Rob Ulitski book and I absolutely loved it. It's one of those reads you just want to go back to as soon as possible to find out what happens next. The author's writing style is honest, raw and unflinching, with a touch of comedy.
We Met in the Forums exposes human nature in the face of extreme adversity - the choices we make to survive and the lengths we'll go to uncover the truth. This book is also about trauma and how it shapes our perceptions of the world; about connection and love, and finding the people who truly understand and accept us for who we really are.
Highly recommended!
Bonded by a shared curiosity and morbid fascination for all things grotesque and macabre, Josh and Leo form a connection so deep that they eventually decide to move in together.
But all is not well in the coastal town of Portsmouth. A mysterious and deadly disease is spreading from the local beach (don't go in the water!). People are vanishing without a trace, manifesting random outbursts of violence or meeting horrifying deaths. The online forums are buzzing with firsthand accounts of this bizarre pandemic and conspiracy theories. Josh and Leo decide to dive into the mystery, determined to document and expose anything they can find.
This is my first Rob Ulitski book and I absolutely loved it. It's one of those reads you just want to go back to as soon as possible to find out what happens next. The author's writing style is honest, raw and unflinching, with a touch of comedy.
We Met in the Forums exposes human nature in the face of extreme adversity - the choices we make to survive and the lengths we'll go to uncover the truth. This book is also about trauma and how it shapes our perceptions of the world; about connection and love, and finding the people who truly understand and accept us for who we really are.
Highly recommended!
April 24, 2024
This is such a great book! I really enjoyed the intense storyline! There is lots of emotion, horror and thrills! The story is full of excitement and kept me very enthralled in what strange things were occurring. (Stay out of the water) The story was very well written and I definitely recommend reading it!
Thank you to Rob Ulitski for an arc copy of this great book!
Thank you to Rob Ulitski for an arc copy of this great book!
January 23, 2025
Such a brilliant read - intriguing, intense and heartbreaking, the parallels to real life shine through in the horror/slightly sci-fi lens. The writer’s powerful use of language means it’s perhaps not one for the faint hearted but definitely brings home the reality of the horrors the protagonist experiences.
Definitely worth a read and I can’t wait to read more of his work!
Definitely worth a read and I can’t wait to read more of his work!
February 20, 2025
Remember when you could say “what a time to be alive?” & actually mean it? Yeah me neither. 🤷🏽♂️ The world may be going to hell in a hand basket, but it could be worse right? There could be something in the water that’s leeching into people; giving them all kinds of horrific disfigurements; making everyone suspicious of their neighbor & unsure how far a diseased mind will go. So that’s just some of Rob Ulitski’s “We Met in the Forums,” a book that gave me some hella heebie jeebies & believe me you…I haven’t had my heebies jeebied in QUITE a while. (Ok yesterday, but still.) So let’s escape the terrifying factual world by jumping into a terrifying fictional one, shall we?
Quick Synopsis: You know the story. Shy boy gets on internet. Shy boy meets weird boy. They become friends. They decide to meet IRL. They have a few “will they, won’t they” moments. We smell a possible budding ro0o0o0mance! Then the entire world explodes into a pandemonium of mangled humanoids, creepy cult-like behavior, & conspiracy theories that…aren’t that far-fetched by comparison. Will they stand the test of time or will they have to make the ultimate sacrifice?
As I said, this book made my skin crawl more than a few times. Which I greatly enjoyed. Ulitski is a great story teller; sucking us in, needing all the details, then slamming our head in the car door with scenarios that truly make you say “what if?” 🤔 Rob somehow packaged fears I didn’t know I had into one neat, nasty story: Fungus, murky depths, old ladies touching me for no reason, being recognized by strangers on the internet, & the list could go on. What’s more frightening? Your roommate disintegrating in your arms or a $30 omelette? I mean really. So to get this book & read it asap; cuz this shit could happen tomorrow, like who knows? At least you’ll go out having read a damn good story.
P.s. when you finish it…turn the cover upside down and… 🫨🫨🫨
Quick Synopsis: You know the story. Shy boy gets on internet. Shy boy meets weird boy. They become friends. They decide to meet IRL. They have a few “will they, won’t they” moments. We smell a possible budding ro0o0o0mance! Then the entire world explodes into a pandemonium of mangled humanoids, creepy cult-like behavior, & conspiracy theories that…aren’t that far-fetched by comparison. Will they stand the test of time or will they have to make the ultimate sacrifice?
As I said, this book made my skin crawl more than a few times. Which I greatly enjoyed. Ulitski is a great story teller; sucking us in, needing all the details, then slamming our head in the car door with scenarios that truly make you say “what if?” 🤔 Rob somehow packaged fears I didn’t know I had into one neat, nasty story: Fungus, murky depths, old ladies touching me for no reason, being recognized by strangers on the internet, & the list could go on. What’s more frightening? Your roommate disintegrating in your arms or a $30 omelette? I mean really. So to get this book & read it asap; cuz this shit could happen tomorrow, like who knows? At least you’ll go out having read a damn good story.
P.s. when you finish it…turn the cover upside down and… 🫨🫨🫨
May 10, 2024
We Met In The Forums was not what I was expecting. Then again, I don't really know what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I was blown away beyond all expectation. This is a love letter to people we know only by usernames and profile pictures, it's a suicide note to the barriers that restrain us from seeing one another, and most of all, it's the ravings of small town conspiracies hidden in the backs of forums.
This book punches and it punches hard. If you liked books like Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt or Things Have Gotten Worse by Eric LaRocca, seriously check this book out, you won't be disappointed!
This book punches and it punches hard. If you liked books like Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt or Things Have Gotten Worse by Eric LaRocca, seriously check this book out, you won't be disappointed!
June 23, 2025
Nightmare fuel!
From the title I expected some kind of psycho stalker or serial killer type story. That is not what this is at all. It's a nightmare of a missing people, gruesome descriptions of mutilation and a mysterious fungus. It's also a story of a man who just wants to be loved the who he is, and that need sometimes makes him seek out companionship online.
Some of the visuals I won't ever forget.
This is a great book for those who like stories that stay a mystery until the end.
From the title I expected some kind of psycho stalker or serial killer type story. That is not what this is at all. It's a nightmare of a missing people, gruesome descriptions of mutilation and a mysterious fungus. It's also a story of a man who just wants to be loved the who he is, and that need sometimes makes him seek out companionship online.
Some of the visuals I won't ever forget.
This is a great book for those who like stories that stay a mystery until the end.
June 15, 2025
awesome, sick to my stomach horror gore. this book was fantastic! not a slow burn, jumped out of the pages and smacked me in the face! what a journey!
April 29, 2025
I will start this review by listing the things I liked about this book before I move on to justifying my two-star rating. I love reading work by indie and self-published authors because it showcases the best part of writing, which is being purely, unabashedly creative and wanting to share what you’ve made with the world. Anyone who has written a novel has achieved something they should be incredibly proud of no matter how it’s received. I hope this review can be taken in good faith despite my criticisms!
Firstly, I love the title, and the concept of Reddit-style internet threads blended with prose. With the current popularity of ARGs and digital horror, I think a device like this could work really well. This is also the only book I have ever purchased because of TikTok, so props to author Rob Ulitski for his clever and engaging marketing! The concept – a mysterious fungal infection caught by spending time in the sea – avoids being categorised into a typical zombie story with its unique take on both how you catch the disease, and its symptoms. There were some pretty gnarly descriptions in here that worked well, and I loved the inclusion of things like fuzz/mold growing on skin and teeth. It’s gross, and I love that!
Unfortunately, there were many aspects of this book that did not work for me. I think a lot of it comes down to plot and the lack of a discerning editor’s eye on the prose. Let’s start with plot...
Read my full review here: https://caitcameron15.wixsite.com/cai...
Firstly, I love the title, and the concept of Reddit-style internet threads blended with prose. With the current popularity of ARGs and digital horror, I think a device like this could work really well. This is also the only book I have ever purchased because of TikTok, so props to author Rob Ulitski for his clever and engaging marketing! The concept – a mysterious fungal infection caught by spending time in the sea – avoids being categorised into a typical zombie story with its unique take on both how you catch the disease, and its symptoms. There were some pretty gnarly descriptions in here that worked well, and I loved the inclusion of things like fuzz/mold growing on skin and teeth. It’s gross, and I love that!
Unfortunately, there were many aspects of this book that did not work for me. I think a lot of it comes down to plot and the lack of a discerning editor’s eye on the prose. Let’s start with plot...
Read my full review here: https://caitcameron15.wixsite.com/cai...
April 10, 2024
For the love of god, don’t go in the water.
Rob Ulitski’s “We Met in the Forums” swims its way smoothly through themes of LGBTQ+ romance and gruesome yet gripping body horror. Told through Josh’s eyes, he and his online best friend Leo move in together after only being in contact through the online forums (kind of like Reddit) but when people start going missing, others losing their minds, and remains are being found left, right, and centre it all goes haywire.
Ulitski does an incredible job at mixing themes of ungodly horror with that of romance and in some ways, sci-fi. The entire book keeps you on your toes from the first sentence, it will never let you have the luxury of expecting what comes next. The discussions of online forums makes it feel modern and relatable, creating that bit more dread of what’s going on. We’re all online, we all have experienced these kinds of platforms. The dread and anxiety from start to finish was intense, I found myself being emotionally attached and not putting the book down because I just HAD to know what was going to happen next.
Absolutely deserves a 5/5 rating.
I received an ARC copy from the author, this does not sway my review and I write this with 100% honesty. Book releases April 30th (23rd on Godless).
Rob Ulitski’s “We Met in the Forums” swims its way smoothly through themes of LGBTQ+ romance and gruesome yet gripping body horror. Told through Josh’s eyes, he and his online best friend Leo move in together after only being in contact through the online forums (kind of like Reddit) but when people start going missing, others losing their minds, and remains are being found left, right, and centre it all goes haywire.
Ulitski does an incredible job at mixing themes of ungodly horror with that of romance and in some ways, sci-fi. The entire book keeps you on your toes from the first sentence, it will never let you have the luxury of expecting what comes next. The discussions of online forums makes it feel modern and relatable, creating that bit more dread of what’s going on. We’re all online, we all have experienced these kinds of platforms. The dread and anxiety from start to finish was intense, I found myself being emotionally attached and not putting the book down because I just HAD to know what was going to happen next.
Absolutely deserves a 5/5 rating.
I received an ARC copy from the author, this does not sway my review and I write this with 100% honesty. Book releases April 30th (23rd on Godless).
April 23, 2024
Get ready for things to get weird!
The story starts off with Josh and Leo who have ‘met’ in online forums and have become friends, they both share interests in the macabre and all things weird. Over time their online relationship spills over into reality when the two decide to move in together in Josh’s costal hometown of Portsmouth. Shortly after things
Shortly after things in the town start to go very wrong. People start to become unwell and behaving really weird after going into the sea. The symptoms start off like the flu, but when bodies start turning up with yellow fungus and strange injuries with no explanation from any authorities, Josh and Leo decide to start a vlog investigation into what’s going on.
This is when things get really gnarly, people begin to become delusional and start inflicting horrific injuries to themselves and others and it is spreading, fast.
This book is graphic, gory and violent and Ulitski does a great job of holding the mystery throughout, just when you think you know where it’s going, you don’t. I also really like the humour that comes through amongst all of the carnage.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it is clear he has a talent for writing visceral body horror and I love it.
We Met In The Forums is available on Godless today and will release on paperback on 30th April. If you enjoy body horror, pandemic horror or a good horror mystery I highly recommend you check it out!
Just stay out of the water!!
Solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s from Dark Reads.
The story starts off with Josh and Leo who have ‘met’ in online forums and have become friends, they both share interests in the macabre and all things weird. Over time their online relationship spills over into reality when the two decide to move in together in Josh’s costal hometown of Portsmouth. Shortly after things
Shortly after things in the town start to go very wrong. People start to become unwell and behaving really weird after going into the sea. The symptoms start off like the flu, but when bodies start turning up with yellow fungus and strange injuries with no explanation from any authorities, Josh and Leo decide to start a vlog investigation into what’s going on.
This is when things get really gnarly, people begin to become delusional and start inflicting horrific injuries to themselves and others and it is spreading, fast.
This book is graphic, gory and violent and Ulitski does a great job of holding the mystery throughout, just when you think you know where it’s going, you don’t. I also really like the humour that comes through amongst all of the carnage.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it is clear he has a talent for writing visceral body horror and I love it.
We Met In The Forums is available on Godless today and will release on paperback on 30th April. If you enjoy body horror, pandemic horror or a good horror mystery I highly recommend you check it out!
Just stay out of the water!!
Solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s from Dark Reads.
April 5, 2024
Rob Ulitski's 'We Met In The Forums' reads like a love story, told through several moments of terrifying body horror, broaching themes of medical and sci-fi horror as well. It's the story of a friendship between two guys, Josh (an openly gay man) and Leo (a typical, if a bit clownish male), an unusual friendship that begins online and then grows into something deeper and far more personal. Following the narrative is easy, and absolutely entertaining: the two central characters feel very real, their flaws and their ambitions quite familiar. The unfolding of their slowly-developping relationship is told with great insight: narrated by Josh, it's not hard to recognize those instances of self-deception, jealousy, but also tenderness and genuine care towards Leo. Ulitski covers all the bases with great attention to detail. There was some cozy familiarity in all this. That is, until everything gets derailed by an unexpected, fungus-based disease, spreading fast among the city's population. Originating in the water, it's forcing people to harm themselves in increasingly more disturbing ways, supposedly in order to draw the attention of some mysterious entities. The tale has lots of unsettling scenes, a good number of moving, if not heart-breaking, situations, and a terrific ending. Not even an earthquake could stop me from finishing this book!
February 17, 2025
Love in the time of a weird infection.
Leo and Josh both love conspiracy theories and mysteries. So when partial remains are turning up at a coastal town near Josh, their friendship through the dark web forums turns to the real world to investigate together. But how far are they willing to go to find the truth? And will they listen to the warning to stay away from the beach?
Visceral horror that is simultaneously sci-fi, nautical and supernatural, this is a phenomenal story of love, conspiracies and decapitations. Lots of decapitations.
The story unfolds through a combination of journals, video footage, forum chats and traditional narration, which really works to unravel the mystery: the pace varies, shocking moments are more intense, and the suspense builds slowly where it needs to.
I am surprised by how well I resonated with the characters, but not surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Absolutely brilliant
Leo and Josh both love conspiracy theories and mysteries. So when partial remains are turning up at a coastal town near Josh, their friendship through the dark web forums turns to the real world to investigate together. But how far are they willing to go to find the truth? And will they listen to the warning to stay away from the beach?
Visceral horror that is simultaneously sci-fi, nautical and supernatural, this is a phenomenal story of love, conspiracies and decapitations. Lots of decapitations.
The story unfolds through a combination of journals, video footage, forum chats and traditional narration, which really works to unravel the mystery: the pace varies, shocking moments are more intense, and the suspense builds slowly where it needs to.
I am surprised by how well I resonated with the characters, but not surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Absolutely brilliant
April 12, 2024
We Met in the Forums follows a relationship between Josh and Leo (who, you guessed it, met in the forums). Their friendship spills over into real life and they inadvertently find themselves in the middle of a mysterious epidemic. The epidemic seems to originate from the beach, people are behaving very strangely, and are covered in gross yellow scabs. Josh and Leo decide to record the epidemic, documentary-style, and post it on the forums. What they discover is both incredibly terrifying, and disgusting. Chemical warfare? A weird virus? Aliens? The conspiracies spiral out of control, and the gruesome story comes to an explosive head.
Well written, exceedingly clever, and, amongst the guts and gore, very funny - Ulitski has done an incredible job bringing Josh and Leo's stories to life. Just, remember, STAY OUT OF THE WATER.
Well written, exceedingly clever, and, amongst the guts and gore, very funny - Ulitski has done an incredible job bringing Josh and Leo's stories to life. Just, remember, STAY OUT OF THE WATER.
January 27, 2025
Josh and Leo meet through a forum. After 5 years they meet up and move in together. When Joshes cousin dies seemingly out of nowhere, the boys decide to go to the forums where they met and make small videos of what's going on at the beach! People are acting differently, having mysterious yellow fluff on them and completely out of character.
This was everything I wanted and more. First book by this author I've read and it won't be the last. The sprinkles of humour throughout this caught me off guard a bit (in a good way!) Just over 200 pages so the connections I made with the characters were pretty solid. Rob just goes "fk this lets treat them to some emotional damage". The feelings I experienced from a book were surprising. I ended up staying up super late just to finish this as I had to know what happened. Congrats!!
This was everything I wanted and more. First book by this author I've read and it won't be the last. The sprinkles of humour throughout this caught me off guard a bit (in a good way!) Just over 200 pages so the connections I made with the characters were pretty solid. Rob just goes "fk this lets treat them to some emotional damage". The feelings I experienced from a book were surprising. I ended up staying up super late just to finish this as I had to know what happened. Congrats!!
July 4, 2024
Leo and Josh met online by sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings. For this reason, their relationship has always been intense. After years of talking, they finally meet in person and hit it off. When they move in together, they seal their fate when they find themselves up against a mysterious threat. Everyone who goes in the water, leaves changed forever.
This found footage-type horror worked on so many levels. I love the way the author explored the feelings and fear of a close relationship going wrong while also having the spotlight on a very real, very physical horror.
I couldn’t guess what would come next. The ending was beautiful for this exact reason. I was left guessing until that final page.
Unsettling and unpredictable, We Met in the Forums is one wild ride.
This found footage-type horror worked on so many levels. I love the way the author explored the feelings and fear of a close relationship going wrong while also having the spotlight on a very real, very physical horror.
I couldn’t guess what would come next. The ending was beautiful for this exact reason. I was left guessing until that final page.
Unsettling and unpredictable, We Met in the Forums is one wild ride.
November 17, 2025
This book was bonkers wild and didn't take the easy way out. It was a hard-to-swallow pill that made me want to read on and on. It delivered on being such an unsettling and disturbing read that went into wild places that I didn't expect, and just when I thought I knew everything, there's a curve ball thrown in that changes the plot completely and makes the story even more wild.
Underneath it all is a blossoming relationship that turns all too tragic, thanks to how the author masterfully crafts the characters. I love that they're not "clean" people per se. They have their weird little quirks about them that make them feel real, and it hurt more when the things that happen to them, happen.
Look out for Rob Ulitski. I know I will.
Underneath it all is a blossoming relationship that turns all too tragic, thanks to how the author masterfully crafts the characters. I love that they're not "clean" people per se. They have their weird little quirks about them that make them feel real, and it hurt more when the things that happen to them, happen.
Look out for Rob Ulitski. I know I will.
March 17, 2025
Well, that was a wild ride and a half, and what an ending! I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or throw the book across the room.
This gory, gruesome, gay, gripping story contains a mystery that you'll be desperate to unravel. The mystery and the chaos kept me hooked until the end, and the payoff is worth it; it's all worth it.
This review is a little all over the place, but that's just how I feel after this book. It was beautiful chaos. A beautifully dark novel with rich characters and excellent world building (remind me never to go to Portsmouth) so I can't rate it highly enough!
If this book sounds like a bit of you, give it a go
This gory, gruesome, gay, gripping story contains a mystery that you'll be desperate to unravel. The mystery and the chaos kept me hooked until the end, and the payoff is worth it; it's all worth it.
This review is a little all over the place, but that's just how I feel after this book. It was beautiful chaos. A beautifully dark novel with rich characters and excellent world building (remind me never to go to Portsmouth) so I can't rate it highly enough!
If this book sounds like a bit of you, give it a go
May 5, 2025
This came recommended to me on TikTok. As someone who has spent a lot of time in Portsmouth and who is trying to read more horror, I had to get a copy!
I loved seeing familiar places reimagined in such an eerie way. The world-building gave the city a sinister edge that really stuck with me.
The story was fast-paced without feeling rushed, and I couldn’t predict how it would turn out.
I enjoyed that the body horror was well done, graphic and visceral, but never over the top. It added to the tension without being gratuitous.
A great read for anyone exploring the horror genre!
I loved seeing familiar places reimagined in such an eerie way. The world-building gave the city a sinister edge that really stuck with me.
The story was fast-paced without feeling rushed, and I couldn’t predict how it would turn out.
I enjoyed that the body horror was well done, graphic and visceral, but never over the top. It added to the tension without being gratuitous.
A great read for anyone exploring the horror genre!
August 4, 2024
Josh is obnoxious but the story was interesting and I did NOT expect that ending. Though it wasn't a tear jerker. I did like Leo more than Josh but eh. At the end of the day, I did not care about their deaths. It sounds like this is more negative than a positive review but Josh wasn't SO bad that it made it hard to get through. The story kept me on my toes and I liked the grotesqueness and would give another one of Rob's books a chance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
This is one of those books you literally can’t put down - I ended up feeling such a connection to the relationships built within the book I found myself hoping and praying for the characters but knowing that a twist or turn would come along. As for the location, it’s local to me, and I can tell you one thing for sure - I definitely won’t be going to the beach any time soon 😂
August 13, 2025
A cracking read from an independent writer. Though there were points where it felt a little bit gratuitous and the writing could occasionally be a little rough around the edges, this was really solid for an entirely self-produced story. The characters were well written and compelling and seeing a parasitic-style horror narrative play out slowly in internet forums was a really interesting take.
September 25, 2025
Not as extreme as the usual stuff I read (being set in Portsmouth is nasty enough, I suppose) but I met Rob at a recent convention and decided to pick this up from his table.
The cover perfectly reflects the book. Grey. Grey, sad and depressing. This doesn't mean it's bad, far from it. A very captivating read, with shadows of James Herbert throughout. I'll pick up more of Rob's work.
The cover perfectly reflects the book. Grey. Grey, sad and depressing. This doesn't mean it's bad, far from it. A very captivating read, with shadows of James Herbert throughout. I'll pick up more of Rob's work.
May 31, 2024
What a rollercoaster! A combination of gore/romance/dark comedy, this is incredibly clever and strangely addictive!
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