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Room for Rent
Nya can’t remember the last time she felt safe.
The rundown rental house didn’t seem so bad at first. But now, someone is stealing her food. Rattling her bedroom doorknob. Digging through her belongings.
Each night brings more disturbing incidents. And each night, Nya is more convinced that it’s not an intruder. She suspects the culprit is hiding in plain sight: her peculiar roommate-of-necessity, Sidney.
Nya can’t afford to live anywhere else. The horrible rental is her only option. In a few months, she’ll finish her final semester of college—and get the hell out of dodge. But to her horror, the sinister mind games are just the beginning. Before long, she’s forced to face the possibility that her physical safety may be at risk. Maybe even her life.
The truth is more terrifying than Nya could have guessed. And as the situation spirals out of control, it’s suddenly clear that surviving the night may no longer be an option.
The rundown rental house didn’t seem so bad at first. But now, someone is stealing her food. Rattling her bedroom doorknob. Digging through her belongings.
Each night brings more disturbing incidents. And each night, Nya is more convinced that it’s not an intruder. She suspects the culprit is hiding in plain sight: her peculiar roommate-of-necessity, Sidney.
Nya can’t afford to live anywhere else. The horrible rental is her only option. In a few months, she’ll finish her final semester of college—and get the hell out of dodge. But to her horror, the sinister mind games are just the beginning. Before long, she’s forced to face the possibility that her physical safety may be at risk. Maybe even her life.
The truth is more terrifying than Nya could have guessed. And as the situation spirals out of control, it’s suddenly clear that surviving the night may no longer be an option.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2023
4716 people are currently reading
49393 people want to read
About the author
Noelle W. Ihli
11 books9,968 followersNoelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).
She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she's not plotting her next thriller, she's scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).
She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she's not plotting her next thriller, she's scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,880 reviews
October 4, 2023
Ihli impressed me when I read ask for Andrea. It was emotional and different, and I have waited in anticipation for a new book by her. In room for rent, we meet Nya who starts living in a house with a tenant who gives her the creeps. She’s poor and have no friends, and soon we discover that something’s not right with the house and tenant she lives with.
Ihli again managed to keep me invested. I could feel the tension from the beginning, and the way Ihli described the house gave me the creeps. We knew from the get-go that something bad was about to happen, and that made me pay more attention to the plot. The last chapters were intense, and what made me give all the stars was how all the questions Nya had, were answered. I love when an author ties up the loose ends neatly. I figured some of the twist out, but not all of it. So it will keep you guessing until the very end.
All in all an enjoyable read. I already want to read more of ihli’s books!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review
November 1, 2023
Predictable but entertaining and quick!
May 24, 2024
★1 star, wtf
A very sheltered, sheltered girl makes a very stupid, stupid decision to live in a sketchy, sketchy house with a creepy, creepy roommate, gains a sus, sus bf and shocker! Almost gets killed. What a massive waste of time ☠️
* ゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜*
Pre-review:
“For anyone who’s survived a roommate from hell. May you never have to label your food again.”
LOL Ihli calling me out before the book even begins 🫣 Lemme just share my list of ten thousand reasons why I will always prefer to live alone 📜
A very sheltered, sheltered girl makes a very stupid, stupid decision to live in a sketchy, sketchy house with a creepy, creepy roommate, gains a sus, sus bf and shocker! Almost gets killed. What a massive waste of time ☠️
* ゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜*
Pre-review:
“For anyone who’s survived a roommate from hell. May you never have to label your food again.”
LOL Ihli calling me out before the book even begins 🫣 Lemme just share my list of ten thousand reasons why I will always prefer to live alone 📜
October 4, 2023
My Rating: 2⭐️⭐️ pretty lacklustre and unfortunate stars!!!
Nya can’t remember the last time she felt safe. The rundown freaky rental house she’s living in isn’t right, her creepo roommate isn’t right… and that feeling that someone is going through her things just isn’t right.
Nya has convinced herself that she can tough it out until the end of semester… but will she survive that long.
So, for me, this was a letdown. I really like this author and I was super excited to see that there was a new book coming out… I really liked Run on Red and immediately went to NetGalley and requested this one.
Unfortunately I seem to be on outlier island yet again… lets start with what I did like (this is going to be spoiler free - because I do think a lot of people will like this).
Noelle W. Ihli’s writing style is super easy flowing and great to read, thats what sucked me into her last book. The chapters are short and punchy and the sentences are not too long winded. She can definitely write and I really enjoy her style. I also like the length of the book, its never too long so if you are enjoying it you can always be left feeling like you could have done with a bit more which is a bonus in my eyes.
The other thing that I did really like about the story was that it did have that sense of foreboding and dread… I did feel a bit stressed like if that were happening to me I would be freaked out proper… I was concerned that there was going to be surprise supernatural themes in this book and I am glad to tell you that there is none of that… because anyone who knows me knows a thriller with a ghost is a cop out thriller… that’s just my opinion… I do not read for ghosts.
Unfortunately though after an initial uplift feeling good about the story it kind of went downhill for me. The writing itself was not bad… it just went around in circles a bit … got very repetitive like that was helping the suspense but also I was a little bit like… well hurry the F up and go home so we can see what’s up!!! Like sh*t is going down… and you are taking the scenic route downtown studying, and checking your phone… girl lets get this done…
I was annoyed at Nya, which does seem to be a theme throughout the reviews… she is a little dumb as rocks, I mean super super creepy sh*t is happening and shes making excuses all cause shes broke… nahhh Nya, time to go bye-a … I am not sticking around when undies are going missing and you are waking up thinking someone is in your room… keep that thank you… I am gone.
I know she was meant to be clueless because of her sheltered church going upbringing but she constantly left out creepy info to tell her bestie on the phone cause she would have told her to haul ass outta there… so she knew… like nah she knew… why risk your life for cheep rent… with some dirt bag druggo slopping around in his undies in your house… absolutely the hell not.
I did guess some of the twist… not all but again the story kind of laboured and I was bored… I am sorry… but I was… and that is never a good sign in a thriller… I want a story that is keeping me awake at night… one where at under 300 pages I can finish in under a day cause I simply cannot put that bad boy down… I did not have that at all…
The ending was a big letdown if you ask me… and even though no one did I will tell you… as I said no spoilers but I was not impressed. It was a bit of an eye roll if I am honest.
It was short… and it was sharp but the story…. Talk about take the long way home…
Overall, it was by no means the worst book out there and there are gonna be people that eat this up… and I am so happy you will cause I do really like this author (I will be back), but for my GR besties… this isn’t for you…
Big thank you to NetGalley, Dynamite Books and the author Noelle West Ihli for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nya can’t remember the last time she felt safe. The rundown freaky rental house she’s living in isn’t right, her creepo roommate isn’t right… and that feeling that someone is going through her things just isn’t right.
Nya has convinced herself that she can tough it out until the end of semester… but will she survive that long.
So, for me, this was a letdown. I really like this author and I was super excited to see that there was a new book coming out… I really liked Run on Red and immediately went to NetGalley and requested this one.
Unfortunately I seem to be on outlier island yet again… lets start with what I did like (this is going to be spoiler free - because I do think a lot of people will like this).
Noelle W. Ihli’s writing style is super easy flowing and great to read, thats what sucked me into her last book. The chapters are short and punchy and the sentences are not too long winded. She can definitely write and I really enjoy her style. I also like the length of the book, its never too long so if you are enjoying it you can always be left feeling like you could have done with a bit more which is a bonus in my eyes.
The other thing that I did really like about the story was that it did have that sense of foreboding and dread… I did feel a bit stressed like if that were happening to me I would be freaked out proper… I was concerned that there was going to be surprise supernatural themes in this book and I am glad to tell you that there is none of that… because anyone who knows me knows a thriller with a ghost is a cop out thriller… that’s just my opinion… I do not read for ghosts.
Unfortunately though after an initial uplift feeling good about the story it kind of went downhill for me. The writing itself was not bad… it just went around in circles a bit … got very repetitive like that was helping the suspense but also I was a little bit like… well hurry the F up and go home so we can see what’s up!!! Like sh*t is going down… and you are taking the scenic route downtown studying, and checking your phone… girl lets get this done…
I was annoyed at Nya, which does seem to be a theme throughout the reviews… she is a little dumb as rocks, I mean super super creepy sh*t is happening and shes making excuses all cause shes broke… nahhh Nya, time to go bye-a … I am not sticking around when undies are going missing and you are waking up thinking someone is in your room… keep that thank you… I am gone.
I know she was meant to be clueless because of her sheltered church going upbringing but she constantly left out creepy info to tell her bestie on the phone cause she would have told her to haul ass outta there… so she knew… like nah she knew… why risk your life for cheep rent… with some dirt bag druggo slopping around in his undies in your house… absolutely the hell not.
I did guess some of the twist… not all but again the story kind of laboured and I was bored… I am sorry… but I was… and that is never a good sign in a thriller… I want a story that is keeping me awake at night… one where at under 300 pages I can finish in under a day cause I simply cannot put that bad boy down… I did not have that at all…
The ending was a big letdown if you ask me… and even though no one did I will tell you… as I said no spoilers but I was not impressed. It was a bit of an eye roll if I am honest.
It was short… and it was sharp but the story…. Talk about take the long way home…
Overall, it was by no means the worst book out there and there are gonna be people that eat this up… and I am so happy you will cause I do really like this author (I will be back), but for my GR besties… this isn’t for you…
Big thank you to NetGalley, Dynamite Books and the author Noelle West Ihli for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2024
maybe the most cliché, predictable thriller I’ve ever read. I think I guessed everything and because of this, it felt like it dragged on and on.
there were WAY too many hints as to how the story would pan out, I kept rolling my eyes thinking “girl you shouldn’t have told us that” lmao.
it was very easy to work out what was going to happen. everything was just so painfully obvious and I was pretty bored the whole time.
there were WAY too many hints as to how the story would pan out, I kept rolling my eyes thinking “girl you shouldn’t have told us that” lmao.
it was very easy to work out what was going to happen. everything was just so painfully obvious and I was pretty bored the whole time.
March 16, 2025
OH NYA YOU FOOL…
Its Nya’s final semester at college and she needs somewhere to live close by, but her only option is in a rundown rental house with a creepy roommate named Sidney. Her food is being eaten, her doors are rattling at night, and someone is clearly going through her belongings. She soon starts to realise her living situation is more twisted than she could ever imagine, and forget passing college, will she be able to live long enough to do so?
ERM while reading this I had to keep checking the front cover to make sure that this was written by Noelle W. Ihli because SURELY NOTTTTT!? The Noelle I know writes quite grimy, psychological edge of your seat novels but this was not the case with Room for Rent.
More than 100 pages in we are being inundated with Nya and her naïve sheltered ass thoughts, and I was struggling trying to empath for this young woman. Yes, her situation was dire, but the same best friend Nya would speak to on a daily, had she told her what her current living situation was, her best friend would have collected her immediately and whisked her back to her home. But understandably if that had happened, Case Closed, Book FINITO.
So, we must endure Nya making stupid decisions after the other and missing obvious glaring red flags. The book was easy to read, with short chapters and had that not been case, I probably would have DNF. The plot is highly predictable, but I guess if you are looking for a mindless read then you have a winner here.
Its not a bad book per se and it does have its entertaining moments. I will also commend Noelle on creating a very atmospheric creepy tale. I for one could really picture the grotesqueness of the rental house and felt icky every time Nya was in that “property”
Not my favourite from Noelle but also not the worst book I’ve ever read. It was an OK read.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Guys I'm nervous about this one!😬
My mutuals have either loved or hated this!😅
I love me some Noelle so I hope its a winner! 🤞🏾
🤍🤎🤍
Its Nya’s final semester at college and she needs somewhere to live close by, but her only option is in a rundown rental house with a creepy roommate named Sidney. Her food is being eaten, her doors are rattling at night, and someone is clearly going through her belongings. She soon starts to realise her living situation is more twisted than she could ever imagine, and forget passing college, will she be able to live long enough to do so?
ERM while reading this I had to keep checking the front cover to make sure that this was written by Noelle W. Ihli because SURELY NOTTTTT!? The Noelle I know writes quite grimy, psychological edge of your seat novels but this was not the case with Room for Rent.
More than 100 pages in we are being inundated with Nya and her naïve sheltered ass thoughts, and I was struggling trying to empath for this young woman. Yes, her situation was dire, but the same best friend Nya would speak to on a daily, had she told her what her current living situation was, her best friend would have collected her immediately and whisked her back to her home. But understandably if that had happened, Case Closed, Book FINITO.
So, we must endure Nya making stupid decisions after the other and missing obvious glaring red flags. The book was easy to read, with short chapters and had that not been case, I probably would have DNF. The plot is highly predictable, but I guess if you are looking for a mindless read then you have a winner here.
Its not a bad book per se and it does have its entertaining moments. I will also commend Noelle on creating a very atmospheric creepy tale. I for one could really picture the grotesqueness of the rental house and felt icky every time Nya was in that “property”
Not my favourite from Noelle but also not the worst book I’ve ever read. It was an OK read.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Guys I'm nervous about this one!😬
My mutuals have either loved or hated this!😅
I love me some Noelle so I hope its a winner! 🤞🏾
🤍🤎🤍
Read
September 16, 2023Ihli’s voice is magical and absorbing. I was immediately drawn into this story that quickly became something of every woman’s nightmares. With characters you’ll relate to, empathize with, and root for, it’s easy to get lost in this atmospheric and utterly claustrophobic story.
March 15, 2024
Ridiculously predictable. Nya was perhaps the most clueless, idiotic MC in a psychological thriller ever, which made it impossible for me to suspend my disbelief throughout this wretched little book.
December 31, 2023
2.5 stars. I unfortunately do not get the hype around this book. A struggle to finish with not much depth. Also if I read ‘suck it up buttercup’ one more time, I would have gone mad. Extremely annoying
October 13, 2023
I read a few reviews before trying this book out, and one said that it was a medium intensity until about the 70% mark, then it got crazy. I’d say that was accurate; I was enjoying the book, but not understanding where the thrill was until closer to the end.
Nya is a college student with only a semester to go, and she needs a place to rent for that semester. A very cheap place. Finally she finds a room she can afford with a roommate named Sidney…only when she got to the house, it turns out Sidney is actually Sid - a man who enjoys drum circles, drugs and not wearing clothes. Nya comes from a strict religious background, and this definitely has her freaked out. It’s just a semester, right? Four months. She can handle four months.
Things are even better when she meets Curtis, a student as poor as her who doesn’t mind sharing his dinners. Curtis is definitely into Nya, but the feeling isn’t very mutual. Yes, Curtis is sweet, slightly cute and a good friend, but is she thinking long-term plans with him? Not exactly, but it’s nice to have him around.
This did play around until the ending began, and then at one point, it got so freaky that it started to dip into horror (which I definitely didn’t mind). I had already guessed part of the ending, but the other half was a surprise. I wouldn’t say there were mindblowing twists, and yes, a lot of the book is waiting for something to happen, but overall, this was a decent story. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Dynamite Books, Noelle W. Ihli, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 13, 2023.)
Nya is a college student with only a semester to go, and she needs a place to rent for that semester. A very cheap place. Finally she finds a room she can afford with a roommate named Sidney…only when she got to the house, it turns out Sidney is actually Sid - a man who enjoys drum circles, drugs and not wearing clothes. Nya comes from a strict religious background, and this definitely has her freaked out. It’s just a semester, right? Four months. She can handle four months.
Things are even better when she meets Curtis, a student as poor as her who doesn’t mind sharing his dinners. Curtis is definitely into Nya, but the feeling isn’t very mutual. Yes, Curtis is sweet, slightly cute and a good friend, but is she thinking long-term plans with him? Not exactly, but it’s nice to have him around.
This did play around until the ending began, and then at one point, it got so freaky that it started to dip into horror (which I definitely didn’t mind). I had already guessed part of the ending, but the other half was a surprise. I wouldn’t say there were mindblowing twists, and yes, a lot of the book is waiting for something to happen, but overall, this was a decent story. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Dynamite Books, Noelle W. Ihli, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 13, 2023.)
February 7, 2024
I saw the ending coming from a mile away. Typically I am a big fan of Noelle W. Ihli's books, but this one just didn't do it for me. It would be a good starting point for someone who is looking to get into thrillers, but as an avid thriller reader, it was way too predictable and not very thrilling. I was not a big fan of the characters and the background behind them. I'm actually really disappointed because I was super eager to read this one and it really let me down overall.
April 19, 2025
Nya wakes up in the morning.
Nya ears Wheaties.
Nya marks the milk carton with a pencil so she’ll know if her roommate stole any. (Milk is more precious than gold in this book.)
Nya goes to school where she’s taking TWENTY-SEVEN units! but interaction with any other student is never mentioned.
Nya goes to the library where she stays until closing.
Nya eats expired food her “boyfriend” brings her every night. (She’s selfishly just using this guy for food but we’re supposed to be on her side.)
Nya goes home.
Nya goes to sleep.
Nya hears strange noises at night.
If this sounds super exciting then this book is for you!
It reads like more of an outline for a story than an actual story. There are so few characters it’s laughably easy to figure out who the “bad guy” is.
This book has a bright future as a movie on the Lifetime Movie Network.
Nya ears Wheaties.
Nya marks the milk carton with a pencil so she’ll know if her roommate stole any. (Milk is more precious than gold in this book.)
Nya goes to school where she’s taking TWENTY-SEVEN units! but interaction with any other student is never mentioned.
Nya goes to the library where she stays until closing.
Nya eats expired food her “boyfriend” brings her every night. (She’s selfishly just using this guy for food but we’re supposed to be on her side.)
Nya goes home.
Nya goes to sleep.
Nya hears strange noises at night.
If this sounds super exciting then this book is for you!
It reads like more of an outline for a story than an actual story. There are so few characters it’s laughably easy to figure out who the “bad guy” is.
This book has a bright future as a movie on the Lifetime Movie Network.
September 20, 2025
When you discover a new author you instantly love and all of her books are on kindle unlimited!!! A GOOD DAY TO BE ME!!! Creepy, atmospheric, well paced and plotted. Rather than throw nonsensical additional twists at us just for the sake of it, we have here a deftly woven tale. Very satisfying journey. Loved the writing style. Very intense and unsettling. Nya is an icon and I loved her as the protagonist. My first book by Noelle and most certainly not my last!!!
March 6, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Dynamite Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
’She didn’t believe in demons anymore. They were the stuff of bad dreams. They weren’t real, and they couldn’t hurt her.
She couldn’t say the same for nightmares made of flesh and blood.’
I was hooked on this story from the very beginning. The first chapter gave me a shot of adrenaline that peaked my curiosity & definitely spooked me, and it only got better from there.
The introduction to the characters immediately drew me in. Nya was a sweet, timid college student from a very strict religious background, and Sidney was a mysterious - and seemingly very gross - man who was offering a rented room at a suspiciously low rate. One might say that this is the PERFECT combination for a pretty strong thriller!
Reading this book as a woman who is unfortunately no stranger to the behaviour of creepy men, I found that this added layer of realism made the book all the more terrifying - you never really knew who to trust. I was nervous from the very first chapter and the story evoked a clear sense of dread.
It can easily become taxing to read stories like this one, where the main character is constantly ignoring red flags; however, the author was very clever when structuring Nya’s character around this trope. Her ultra religious background made her more vulnerable and susceptible to wanting to keep the peace, so it made sense for her to find excuses for the eerie situations occurring in the rental house. We were constantly reminded of how innocent her mind was, and how much she still had to learn, and it broke my heart every time.
The story was unfortunately quite predictable, and I did anticipate how it was going to pan out about halfway through. I also thought that the motivation behind the main antagonist’s actions was rather flimsy. However, I loved both the anticipation of the first half and the action & conclusion of the second half of the book, and it was still a very enjoyable read.
’She didn’t believe in demons anymore. They were the stuff of bad dreams. They weren’t real, and they couldn’t hurt her.
She couldn’t say the same for nightmares made of flesh and blood.’
I was hooked on this story from the very beginning. The first chapter gave me a shot of adrenaline that peaked my curiosity & definitely spooked me, and it only got better from there.
The introduction to the characters immediately drew me in. Nya was a sweet, timid college student from a very strict religious background, and Sidney was a mysterious - and seemingly very gross - man who was offering a rented room at a suspiciously low rate. One might say that this is the PERFECT combination for a pretty strong thriller!
Reading this book as a woman who is unfortunately no stranger to the behaviour of creepy men, I found that this added layer of realism made the book all the more terrifying - you never really knew who to trust. I was nervous from the very first chapter and the story evoked a clear sense of dread.
It can easily become taxing to read stories like this one, where the main character is constantly ignoring red flags; however, the author was very clever when structuring Nya’s character around this trope. Her ultra religious background made her more vulnerable and susceptible to wanting to keep the peace, so it made sense for her to find excuses for the eerie situations occurring in the rental house. We were constantly reminded of how innocent her mind was, and how much she still had to learn, and it broke my heart every time.
The story was unfortunately quite predictable, and I did anticipate how it was going to pan out about halfway through. I also thought that the motivation behind the main antagonist’s actions was rather flimsy. However, I loved both the anticipation of the first half and the action & conclusion of the second half of the book, and it was still a very enjoyable read.
Read
June 1, 20252.5 ⭐️ | An ok read, nothing that I want to scream out loud about. It set a good premise even with the title alone, but the twist was pretty obvious from early on in my opinion. As a fan on Noelle, it was still worth the read for me as I am making way through her entire catalogue. So far, Gray After Dark, Ask for Andrea & Such Quiet girls have been 5 ⭐️ reads for me.
Nya is a financially challenged college student that rents a room from Sid. Sid is not at all what she thought them to be, and as strange occurrences begin to happen, she feels as though her new roomie is up to no good & potentially dangerous.
Narration in audiobook version was phenomenal!
Nya is a financially challenged college student that rents a room from Sid. Sid is not at all what she thought them to be, and as strange occurrences begin to happen, she feels as though her new roomie is up to no good & potentially dangerous.
Narration in audiobook version was phenomenal!
October 5, 2023
Nya, Nya, Nya…. I just really wanted her to pay attention to all of the red flags that were right in front of her. I know that her religious background and her sheltered upbringing may have played a part in her being so naive but I just wanted her to use common sense more! When she pulled up to that janky house she should have never got of the car and went inside. And Sid!!! Creepy Sid!!! If nothing else the sight of her should have sent her running!!!
This was a good read and I enjoyed reading to see what was going to happen next!
Thank you #NetGalley for sending me a e-ARC!!
This was a good read and I enjoyed reading to see what was going to happen next!
Thank you #NetGalley for sending me a e-ARC!!
January 21, 2024
This was actually the most predictable thriller I’ve ever read. I seriously thought I was missing something because the twist seemed too obvious.
May 5, 2024
This was a fun little read! A bit of mystery, touch of horror, a whole lot of gross roommate….Nya is the epitome of a poor college student, so when she finds rent she can finally afford, she’s afraid to look a gift horse in the mouth. Only this horse is a total slob, does a ton of drugs, and is a lot creepy. Still, Sid can’t be THAT bad…can he?
Nya starts noticing little things that make her spine tingle. And then someone starts coming in her room at night, she’s sure of it. Even though the door stays locked with her dresser in front of it. Then she meets Curtis, who makes things seem a little bit better. Until they’re not.
This was fairly slow with a whole lot of maudlin happenings sprinkled in with the suspense and fear. A pretty solid read overall, I coped to the twist right before it happened, so it was well thought out!
Nya starts noticing little things that make her spine tingle. And then someone starts coming in her room at night, she’s sure of it. Even though the door stays locked with her dresser in front of it. Then she meets Curtis, who makes things seem a little bit better. Until they’re not.
This was fairly slow with a whole lot of maudlin happenings sprinkled in with the suspense and fear. A pretty solid read overall, I coped to the twist right before it happened, so it was well thought out!
October 4, 2023
I’ll give it to Noelle West Ilhi, she knows how to keep the reader interested. While I do think some parts were repetitive/dragged on a bit, lots of the chapters ended on cliffhangers and made me want to keep reading.
She also did a great job of building the tension, from unease to full blown survival mode. I know that a lot of Anya’s naiveté can be chalked up to her strict religious upbringing, but it was so frustrating to watch her return to the house night and night.
I caught some of the twists and was surprised by others. The last few chapters were a wild ride. I think fans of Run On Red would also enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
She also did a great job of building the tension, from unease to full blown survival mode. I know that a lot of Anya’s naiveté can be chalked up to her strict religious upbringing, but it was so frustrating to watch her return to the house night and night.
I caught some of the twists and was surprised by others. The last few chapters were a wild ride. I think fans of Run On Red would also enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 15, 2023
Predictable but enjoyable. I would have enjoyed the paperback vs the ebook arc.
Loved the suspense right when I’m thinking blah blah blah who cares 😂😂 BAM ! Oh okay. I need constant action !
Thanks #Netgalley
Loved the suspense right when I’m thinking blah blah blah who cares 😂😂 BAM ! Oh okay. I need constant action !
Thanks #Netgalley
October 23, 2023
a very generous 2. MC is one of the dumbest characters that ever existed. "twist"...if you can even call it that...was predictable.
November 29, 2024
I ❤️ Noelle W. Ihli’s books. This one wasn’t as thrilling as her other books I’ve read. I liked the creepy suspense and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen in the end. That said, it was fairly predictable and repetitive. I think this would have been better as a short story as it felt to drag too much.
September 2, 2025
3.75 stars-really enjoyed this one!
June 23, 2024
2.75 ⭐️ honestly this book made me more sick than it did scared/thrilled. the state of the house, the rash, the kitchen, the greasy hair???? 🤢
also very predictable ☹️
also very predictable ☹️
May 24, 2025
send these men to another planet to rot by themselves
- i also did read the accompanying short story "bottom feeders" but that one is not on goodreads and i had to tell somebody
- i also did read the accompanying short story "bottom feeders" but that one is not on goodreads and i had to tell somebody
October 26, 2024
If I could rate lower, I would. Wow, where to begin..
I guessed every single "twist" in the book in record time. I knew about the secret enterance after she got out of the bath. I genuinely believed Sid when he said he didnt drink her milk or get her rent money - man seemed to give her the space she demanded after she threatened him. I knew something was wrong with "Curtis" from his first scene when he makes a comment about her shirt. I knew "Curtis" didn't give the letter to his friend to get in touch with "Arlo." I knew "Arlo" had drugged her food. I mean, seriously, I figured someone was living in the basement right after the bathtub scene as well.
I hated the main character. Or, possibly, I hate how the author tried to make me feel bad for Nya because she was a poor college student trying to escape her culty religion and live a life shes happy with. All this girl did was push aside sign after sign after frigging sign that she needs to l e a v e. (Like the welcome mat that only said "leave" at the store that she literally took as a sign) As a woman, if I go into a house that I'm about to rent a room at and the FIRST thing my new roommate, who I am meeting for the FIRST TIME, says is "hey, pretty girl" you can best your last dollar I'm storming out of there and living in my car at that Wal-Mart parking lot she kept mentioning.
I hated how Nya was using Curtis for food and an excuse not to go back to her "horrible roommate" who literally left her alone the entire book. Put aside Curtis and just picture any nice guy who seems to really like Nya and want to be with her -it's not nice to use people. I really didn't appreciate reading how this character would "wait until the end of the semester" because she didn't want to buy herself food. She knew how little her budget was when she moved there to do her last 20 some credit rushed semester to finish college a little early. Her whole "pity me, I'm poor so I don't have many options" argument doesn't work because she literally chose this life for herself.
Her attachment to Jade was heavily frustrating. At the very beginning of the book, I got the vibe that this book was going to turn into Nya's strange path to realize she was interested im women and wanted to be with her best friend, Jade. This didn't happen and the only reason that thought left my mind was because she started to talk about Jade less and less. At times, Nya checking her phone and seeing a text from Jade felt incredibly forced because the author needed us to remember shes still a character.
The author wasted so much of my time trying to build tension. If you narrowed down all the tension in this book to the amount of tension actually NEEDED for the story to progress, the book would probably be less than half as long as it is.
Nya claims several tomes that Jade's opinion means so much to her, but when it came down to asking her for advice, Nya didn't open up to Jade because she knew Jade would tell her to leave that situation. The one and only time she asked for Jade's advice (in the VERY beginning, she completely disregarded what Jade said even thought Jade supposedly knows the correct action. How can this author spend so much time painting Jade as the most influencial and important person in her life, but when Nya needs guidance, she doesn't want Jade to worry or tell her to leave while she is LITERALLY AFRAID FOR HER LIFE OF THIS MAN?
This book gives heavy YA trying so hard to be an adult book vibes. I was so desperate to feel better about this book that I even read it's hidden chapter. Once again, disappointing.
Don't even get me STARTED on how many times she says "suck it up, buttercup" as a way to tell herself she has to get through this as if she can't literally just leave the situation and never look back.
Also, the author tried so hard to be different from other writers and to make sure the book was descriptive enough (it was beyond enough, by the way. Annoyingly descriptive to the point where you want to skip paragraphs at a time to get back to the story) was uncomfortably obvious. The first ones that come to mind arewhen Nya says her body feels like "Jello" instead of jelly (just, why? Who phrases it like that?) and the amoumt of times she calls her quilt, her "scripture quilt." The woman has only one quilt. After the first time you call it that amd describe what the quilt is, the reader knows exactly what that quilt is because she literally has 0 other quilts that it could be.
I have had so many words to say anout this book over the last two days and I read through this book so quickly that I am probably forgetting a bunch of stuff. I am sure I will be adding more that I may have forgotten to this review later, stay tuned.
I guessed every single "twist" in the book in record time. I knew about the secret enterance after she got out of the bath. I genuinely believed Sid when he said he didnt drink her milk or get her rent money - man seemed to give her the space she demanded after she threatened him. I knew something was wrong with "Curtis" from his first scene when he makes a comment about her shirt. I knew "Curtis" didn't give the letter to his friend to get in touch with "Arlo." I knew "Arlo" had drugged her food. I mean, seriously, I figured someone was living in the basement right after the bathtub scene as well.
I hated the main character. Or, possibly, I hate how the author tried to make me feel bad for Nya because she was a poor college student trying to escape her culty religion and live a life shes happy with. All this girl did was push aside sign after sign after frigging sign that she needs to l e a v e. (Like the welcome mat that only said "leave" at the store that she literally took as a sign) As a woman, if I go into a house that I'm about to rent a room at and the FIRST thing my new roommate, who I am meeting for the FIRST TIME, says is "hey, pretty girl" you can best your last dollar I'm storming out of there and living in my car at that Wal-Mart parking lot she kept mentioning.
I hated how Nya was using Curtis for food and an excuse not to go back to her "horrible roommate" who literally left her alone the entire book. Put aside Curtis and just picture any nice guy who seems to really like Nya and want to be with her -it's not nice to use people. I really didn't appreciate reading how this character would "wait until the end of the semester" because she didn't want to buy herself food. She knew how little her budget was when she moved there to do her last 20 some credit rushed semester to finish college a little early. Her whole "pity me, I'm poor so I don't have many options" argument doesn't work because she literally chose this life for herself.
Her attachment to Jade was heavily frustrating. At the very beginning of the book, I got the vibe that this book was going to turn into Nya's strange path to realize she was interested im women and wanted to be with her best friend, Jade. This didn't happen and the only reason that thought left my mind was because she started to talk about Jade less and less. At times, Nya checking her phone and seeing a text from Jade felt incredibly forced because the author needed us to remember shes still a character.
The author wasted so much of my time trying to build tension. If you narrowed down all the tension in this book to the amount of tension actually NEEDED for the story to progress, the book would probably be less than half as long as it is.
Nya claims several tomes that Jade's opinion means so much to her, but when it came down to asking her for advice, Nya didn't open up to Jade because she knew Jade would tell her to leave that situation. The one and only time she asked for Jade's advice (in the VERY beginning, she completely disregarded what Jade said even thought Jade supposedly knows the correct action. How can this author spend so much time painting Jade as the most influencial and important person in her life, but when Nya needs guidance, she doesn't want Jade to worry or tell her to leave while she is LITERALLY AFRAID FOR HER LIFE OF THIS MAN?
This book gives heavy YA trying so hard to be an adult book vibes. I was so desperate to feel better about this book that I even read it's hidden chapter. Once again, disappointing.
Don't even get me STARTED on how many times she says "suck it up, buttercup" as a way to tell herself she has to get through this as if she can't literally just leave the situation and never look back.
Also, the author tried so hard to be different from other writers and to make sure the book was descriptive enough (it was beyond enough, by the way. Annoyingly descriptive to the point where you want to skip paragraphs at a time to get back to the story) was uncomfortably obvious. The first ones that come to mind arewhen Nya says her body feels like "Jello" instead of jelly (just, why? Who phrases it like that?) and the amoumt of times she calls her quilt, her "scripture quilt." The woman has only one quilt. After the first time you call it that amd describe what the quilt is, the reader knows exactly what that quilt is because she literally has 0 other quilts that it could be.
I have had so many words to say anout this book over the last two days and I read through this book so quickly that I am probably forgetting a bunch of stuff. I am sure I will be adding more that I may have forgotten to this review later, stay tuned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
This is the very definition of the word cringey! Reading this book was so very uncomfortable it literally made my skin crawl!
Nya, a poor nursing student with a sheltered, difficult childhood has just one semester of nursing school to finish. With very little money and few housing options she rents a room in a filthy rental house. Her roommate is seriously creepy, but she keeps justifying every little thing. In effect she gaslights her own self. But, of course, nothing is what it seems. It’s a combination of “I threw up a little in my mouth,” and “Don’t go into the basement, you dumb girl.”
The main character is so very stupid and pathetically determined. She is so narrowly focused on her goal of graduating that she makes horrible decisions on a daily basis, but I couldn’t help rooting for her and slogging through her dismal life with her, praying for the best when I just knew everything was going to go horribly wrong.
Why did I give this 4 stars? 1. Because I couldn’t look away, 2. Because I was determined to finish the journey, just to see what happened. 3. Because I really love Noelle Ihli’s books and I think she has a great future. Her books are fast, wild rides and if you’ve never read one, you should. However, this one might not be where you want to start. I suggest Ask for Andrea or Running on Red. They are both wild and fast also, but just a little less cringey.
Nya, a poor nursing student with a sheltered, difficult childhood has just one semester of nursing school to finish. With very little money and few housing options she rents a room in a filthy rental house. Her roommate is seriously creepy, but she keeps justifying every little thing. In effect she gaslights her own self. But, of course, nothing is what it seems. It’s a combination of “I threw up a little in my mouth,” and “Don’t go into the basement, you dumb girl.”
The main character is so very stupid and pathetically determined. She is so narrowly focused on her goal of graduating that she makes horrible decisions on a daily basis, but I couldn’t help rooting for her and slogging through her dismal life with her, praying for the best when I just knew everything was going to go horribly wrong.
Why did I give this 4 stars? 1. Because I couldn’t look away, 2. Because I was determined to finish the journey, just to see what happened. 3. Because I really love Noelle Ihli’s books and I think she has a great future. Her books are fast, wild rides and if you’ve never read one, you should. However, this one might not be where you want to start. I suggest Ask for Andrea or Running on Red. They are both wild and fast also, but just a little less cringey.
November 10, 2023
Not is a young woman after my own heart and her situation is so relative which makes the predicament she finds herself in all that more horrific. Full of suspense, mystery, and some downright creepiness. You'll be up way past your bedtime devouring this.
August 10, 2024
This might be the worst book I’ve read this year??
I’m genuinely mad I wasted my time on it
I’m genuinely mad I wasted my time on it
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