We Never Left

by Matthew Hollis Damon

Six ghost hunters decide to spend the night in a notoriously haunted mansion and to record everything that happens. What could go wrong? Nothing you can predict.... but everything else.

Praise for We Never Left:

"That was one of the best f***ing horror books I ever read!!!! I am blown away!" ~ Amazon reviewer

"This was a top tier haunted house story with a super twist that I never would have guessed or saw coming. It goes from 0-60 in the best way possible." ~ Danielle Yvonne, Horror Reviewer

"...this book gave me nightmares, making him the first author to do so" ~ Amazon reviewer

"Exactly what nightmares are made of" ~ Amazon reviewer

"Every twist and turn in the book was amazing" ~ Amazon reviewer

"...the author did such a phenomenal job painting the eerie atmosphere that I wanted to stay there, immersed in the nightmare world" ~ PJ Burgy, author of Parasitic

"At times, I found the dialogue jarring and upsetting. That’s the point. There’s going to be scenes that punch you in the face." ~ Amazon reviewer

"...my house could’ve been on fire and I wouldn’t have noticed because this book got so tense and crazy!" ~ Amazon reviewer

"As you're reading this book, the world fades out and you are right into the world Damon has created" ~ Amazon reviewer

"I mean this in the best way possible; after reading I felt like I had to wash my eyeballs with bleach. You are a fantastic writer and this is a page turner. I felt like I was living in the story" ~ Amazon reviewer

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waa, I'm really undecided about this book. I'm not the biggest fan of ghost stories, always a bit cliché and sigh inducing. Now this ghost story was definitely something a bit different to what I expected, however I still had that feeling of 'oh here we go again' throughout. I enjoyed some of the build up, and I actually didn't hate the stereotypical characters 🙈 however towards the end I just felt like I was reading two different stories that were trying to fuse together. To be honest I'm left wanting to read a story all about Nina's life and experiences throughout that time in history!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan and his friends are very into the paranormal and decide to investigate the local haunted house. However, as they ever the house, it's clear that things are definitely not as they seem.

This book had me gripped and as the story unfolded I gasped several times.

[Keeley Webb Author · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this book is so eye-catching. It grabbed my attention, and I was really looking forward to the darkness within.

The story is unpredictable and kept my interest. It's quite a short story, but I didn't fully connect with the characters. I struggled at first to see where the story was going, as the characters shared awkward banter. At 40%, my interest was piqued, and at 60%, the action really kicked in.

Six teenage ghost hunters decided to spend the night in a haunted mansion and record everything that happens. This is an interesting idea for a dark haunting tale.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost

The six people in the Ghost Club at school have found the perfect place to investigate. This house has a past full of deaths. They enter the house, will they leave?

[Zainab Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew My Mind!

I enjoyed every page of this book and would definitely recommend this to other readers. A lot of scenarios blew me away and I am still processing them!

[A.M. Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read but was intense at times.
There was a bit of confusion at first, but it came together in the end.
A group of High Schoolers investigate a haunted house, missing the normal tropes, only to find out they are all connected.
Give it a go if you're looking to spend an hour reading a quick entertaining story.

[Taylor Lebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good! Matt's writing is fantastic. He is legit also super sweet. I couldn't put this book down. A great twist and a great read for Halloween!

Love you, Matt!!

[Evan Gassman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Never Left is a gripping novella packed with chills, thrills, and a twist you won’t see coming. The story follows six high-school ghost hunters who begin to investigate a notoriously haunted mansion. What begins as a typical paranormal adventure quickly spirals into something far darker and unpredictable.

Rowan, the lead character, is complex and compelling, his journey crafted with precision. Damon brings the entire cast to life, each member distinct and fully realized, making the group dynamic feel authentic and immersive.

But what truly sets We Never Left apart is how seamlessly it subverts expectations. Just when you think you know where it’s headed, Damon takes the story in a chilling new direction. The suspense never lets up, making it impossible to stop reading until the very last page.

🌙 Why It Works:

🔹 Atmosphere: Damon’s prose is immersive, crafting the haunted mansion with vivid, spine-tingling precision. Every shadow feels alive, every creak deliberate.
🔹 Pacing: Expertly balanced. The slow, deliberate buildup keeps you hooked, while the payoff is both satisfying and explosive.
🔹 Twist: A gut-punch that redefines the entire story.

💭 Final Thoughts:

We Never Left is a fun, fast-paced read that’s perfect for a cozy afternoon—just make sure you leave the lights on! Matthew Hollis Damon has crafted a story that’s equal parts chilling and thought-provoking, with a twist that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommended for fans of paranormal fiction and anyone who loves a good, unpredictable story.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books where once you pick it up you don’t want to put it down and when it’s done you want there to be more. The details and descriptions in this book make you think you’re right there witnessing it all.
The plot, the tears and turns, scary moments that make you think something is gonna pop up for you keeps you scared but intrigued through every single page.
The beginning where the skeptic doesn’t believe and but the end they had to admit the house was haunted was definitely my favorite and portrays the horrors that took place within.

[Micki-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild creepy haunting ride this is a thrilling story that I really enjoyed it’s a fast paced intense read that will draw you in right away and held you in a chokehold. We never left well keeping me guessing what's going to happen next right to the very end. What feels like a classic creepy and ghost story in a spooky haunted house soon hits many twist that had me on the edge of my seat.

[Holly Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!!!! I had to resort to reading this book only during the daytime because I kept scaring myself reading it at night 😂 Really enjoyed it, a couple of parts left me a bit confused, but then I reas them again and it made sense (That's a me thing, not an Author thing)
definitely recommend this one!

[Brooke Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It draws you in and keeps you guessing what's going to happen next. Seems like a classic spooky haunted house ghost story.

The book was good until the author added some unsettling r*pe scenes. It just got worse from there.

[Jeannine Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild and creepy ride, indeed! Thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling tale, couldn't put it down. Well-written and so descriptive, I shuddered.

[Louise Storey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect it to take that turn… from the usual haunted house story then out of nowhere it picks up.

[Julia Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOLIER ALERT!!!
Well. I'm not sure how I can describe that really messed up nightmare they were living. It certainly makes you wonder about previous lives you've been in. And I have thought about that often before reading this book. Good read. The changing of scenes in the different time periods, who was where, etc, are they friends, and if so, what dimension are they in this time. It's definitely well worth the read. I couldn't put the book down.
Not giving anything away. Keep doing what you're doing, Matthew Hollis Damon - you're doing fabulous. No, I will never get what I read out of my system. Can you take it one more step creepier....I double dare you.

[Valentina P · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no need of r*pe scenes or rasism in a book! I don't understand the ppl who said they loved this book! Was first book i read by this author and the last!