When Sarah unexpectedly inherits a secluded estate in North Tahoe from an uncle she never knew, it feels like fate. A fresh start. A lifeline. Her husband, Logan, isn’t convinced. Something about the house—about the deal—feels off.
Then there’s Phil.
A stranger, yet always nearby. Too interested. Too familiar. He lingers at the edges of their new life, watching. And when the strange occurrences begin—doors left open, objects disappearing, eerie phone calls—Logan knows it’s not just paranoia.
Someone is knocking.
And when they finally uncover the truth, they’ll wish they never opened the door.
Samara Cove is a psychological thriller author whose debut novel, filled with dark twists and suspense, is set to release in December 2024. Originally from the West Coast, Samara now lives in Texas, trading ocean views for endless BBQ. When not plotting fictional thrillers or hanging out with her family, Samara can be found trying (and usually failing) to keep houseplants alive or watching Tiny Kitchen on YouTube “for research.” She believes the only thing more suspenseful than her novels is waiting for the coffee to brew in the morning.
Knock Knock is a gripping, slow burn psychological thriller that builds tension layer by layer, pulling readers in. Samara Cove’s storytelling is subtle yet potent, weaving psychological unease with creeping suspense that lingers.
The novel’s strength lies in its atmosphere and character development. Cove carefully constructs a claustrophobic world where every knock on the door, every stranger, and every glimpse into the dark woods feels loaded with ominous potential.
What sets Knock Knock apart is its psychological depth. It’s not just about external threats but the internal demons that haunt the characters—fear, paranoia, and the fragile boundaries of trust and curiosity. The writing is engaging, with an unsettling tone that pervades the entire book.
While the story unfolds gradually, the payoff is rewarding, with twists that challenge assumptions and keep readers guessing. This is a novel for those who appreciate suspense that grows quietly but relentlessly, favoring psychological complexity over fast-paced action.
I appreciate that Samara Cove took a play by author John Marrs, who once said, “you have to build up the world before you burn it down.” Knock Knock left me wanting more, and I can’t wait for the release of Who’s There to continue on in Samara Cove’s Welcome Home series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I inhaled this first book in the Welcome Home Series by Samara Cove. I’m all in on a good psychological thriller with twisty & unexpected outcomes which this author does do well. While this book was a bit of a slow burn, it did pack enough suspense and intrigue to keep me interested. I also enjoyed the plot & character development. I’m not a big fan of cliffhanger endings so I’m hoping the next books are coming soon!!
The basic plot was intriguing but lacking in character development. The writing was simplistic and the plot twist at the end came out of left field with no foreshadowing.
“Knock Knock” by Samara Cove is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that had me hooked from the first page. The story follows Sarah, a college science professor who inherits a house in Lake Tahoe—what should have been a peaceful new beginning quickly turns into something far more sinister. From the moment the family moves in, nothing feels quite right.
Cove masterfully builds suspense and paranoia, layering the tension with unsettling twists that constantly make you question what’s real and who can be trusted. I found myself so drawn in that I literally woke up at 4 a.m. thinking about it—and had to finish it right then and there. This one will absolutely get under your skin!
This was… not good, and I feel bad saying that because it takes a lot to write and publish a book, and I don’t want to diminish that. But there is no saving this one.
It was poorly written (and edited), clunky, far-fetched, and repetitive. How many times are we going to be told the family is suffering from financial stress, that the husband is keeping secrets, etc.?
Honestly, spare yourself the time on this thriller and pick up a John Marrs, Lisa Jewell, or Karin Slaughter book instead.
Knock Knock by Samara Cove is a twisty psychological thriller full of deep-rooted secrets, family drama, and paranoia. This is the first book in the Welcome Home series.
When Sarah inherits a secluded house in North Tahoe from an uncle she never knew existed, she sees this as a chance to have a fresh start from unrelenting stress. Her husband Logan is less convinced that this move is a good idea, but since he has caused his fair share of problems for the family, he reluctantly agrees to the move. Soon after arriving at the estate, the family is plagued with unsettling events including objects disappearing, doors left open, and then there's Phil. Phil is living on the property as part of the deal that Sarah and Logan agreed to prior to moving. But he is always there, in the shadows, insinuating himself into the family. By the time they realize what is wrong, it will be too late.
I am consistently blown away by Samara's writing!! Knock Knock is another gripping, pulse pounding and twisty thriller that sank it's jaws into me and refused to let go! From the beginning the readers will be pulled into the mystery of the house and the stipulations that are put forth by Sarah's uncle. As we progress through the story, the tension expertly overwhelms and creates a low level of anxiety throughout. This is definitely a story that will leave you wanting more!!
First off, I absolutely love how this author writes so simply, yet in a manner that has you questioning everything and wondering what in the world will happen next!! Her books ensnare me quickly and keep me turning pages!
Summary: Their marriage is on the rocks after her husband is suspended without pay due to a harassment claim, bills are piling up and she’s also losing a big part of her income with the shifting tides of her current job. As it all seems to be falling apart, she suddenly finds out about the death of an uncle she knew nothing about, who has left her a home in his will, but with one stipulation… agreeing to terms before even knowing the stipulation, the family moves to a different state to ease their financial burden by having a home that’s already paid for. But now they’re faced with a stranger on their property and things don’t feel right in their new home. They’re both keeping secrets, their marriage is still falling apart and they’re at odds concerning the man on their property… who is right and who will make it out alive when a stranger comes knocking?
Review: From the start of the book you know this isn’t the best marriage. You know that neither person is perfect nor respecting the other, you know that there are secrets, but the author keeps you guessing. Once we dive into the meat of the story, when they move to their new home, things get weird and the tension mounts. I had soooo many guesses as to what could be happening and who the stranger was, but I was so very wrong!!! I never saw that ending coming! I do feel the characters were a bit much in the way they reacted to situations, it didn’t make sense to me, the lengths the FMC went to to try and help a stranger, even when he told her no! And the husbands’ overreactions seemed wild, but by the end of the book, well, I need to stop there so I don’t spoil anything. Safe to say I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings to the table because that ending was wild!!
Knock, Knock is book 1 of the Welcome Home trilogy. This is a slow burn psychological thriller that ends on a cliffhanger.
When everything in Sarah’s life spirals downward, she unexpectedly inherits a lake house in North Tahoe from an uncle she didn’t know she had. However, there are stipulations for the ownership which aren’t immediately apparent. Strapped for cash, Sarah blindly accepts the house and moves her family cross country to give them a fresh start. Her husband, Logan, is in a precarious situation at work making him partly responsible for their predicament. Logan has no choice but to agree to the move. Everything seems to be going well until he discovers a mysterious tent on the property and comes face to face with the stipulation. Sarah feels compelled to honor her late uncle’s wishes and welcome the stranger but Logan has reservations. Logan can’t express his concerns because he’s on thin ice with Sarah over all the lies he’s told and secrets he’s kept. Sarah has her omissions too. What’s the cost for a fresh start?
This story unfolds gradually. It doesn’t make my mind spin like other psychological thrillers, but rather creates this slowly claustrophobic bubble of suspense. The pacing is slow and only picks up around the 70% mark or with about 90 pages remaining. The plot direction is unexpected, and I expect it to be further explored in book 2 if Sarah’s curiosity wins out or if she feels threaten. Samara Cove chose a logical but bold solution for several of Sarah’s problems. It’s like that aspect is a red herring for what’s to unfold in the rest of the series. I wish there was more meat in this first book. I am ambivalent about this book and this slow pace.
Finally, thank you to Samara Cove for the ARC which allowed me to read and voluntarily provide an unbiased review.
TROPES/ THEMES: marriage troubles, s3xual h@rassment, inheritance, unknown relative, lost job, deception, stranger
I literally was chilled to the bone reading this. Disturbing and unsettling as a woman inherits an estate in North Tahoe.
Very unexpectedly this comes about but it feels like a dream come true. With financial struggles it is a chance for her and Logan to escape, have a fresh start. Her mind is made up.
Sarah quickly signs the papers and smiles. Finally. This will save them.
Yet the moment upon entering, an energy settles and wounds around them tightly. Odd things that make no sense.
Scenes unfold chapter after chapter and read this in one night. Very suspenseful and descriptive as the words curl around you taking you into this mystery and darkness.
The weird events hit you hard and fast as the reader does not even feel safe.
I love Samaras way of bringing the eerie and creepy tone into the story, the thrills so get ready for this psychological thriller to blow your mind away.
With Samara you just don’t know what you’re going to get. I can’t wait to GET to her next book.
🏠 From the second Sarah inherits a mysterious North Tahoe estate (from an uncle who basically ghosted her existence), you know things are gonna get weird—and fast. What starts as a fresh start quickly spirals into full-blown psychological chaos. Think creaking doors, disappearing objects, and a neighbor named Phil who gives off major I-definitely-know-where-you-sleep energy.
✍️ Samara Cove writes with cinematic precision—tight, tense, and just unhinged enough to make you check your locks twice. The pacing? Relentless. The tension? Like a slow, suffocating whisper behind you. Sarah is vulnerable but sharp, while Logan’s skepticism turns into the kind of unraveling that makes you want to scream at the page.
The house hides secrets, the woods don’t feel empty, and that knock at the door? 🚪 Yeah… don’t answer it.
Creepy, clever, and crawling with dread—this one doesn’t just knock, it breaks the door down. 🖤
Knock, Knock by Samara Cove 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thrills, chills and suspense!! Sarah and her husband Logan move the family to a large estate in Tahoe, which was given to Sarah from her late uncle in his will. This came at a perfect time for the family as they needed a fresh start. As incredible as this house is, there’s baggage that came along with the house. Phil, a friend of the late uncle, lives in a tent on the land. There’s a lot of mystery and confusion surrounding him and who he really is. This story is full of twists and lots of family drama. I was completely hooked from the beginning! Samara definitely has a way of grabbing you immediately with her intense stories!
I listened to the audio version and the narrators did a great job! I recommend reading this awesome and exciting thriller!! ✊🏼✊🏼 Now onto book 2, Whose There?
This started out very promising with the drama, I love a good dramatic thriller. I did think there was going to be some type of domestic aspect to it, which are my favorite, but there wasn't 🤣 That was just my initial thought. I do wish there had been more tension between the husband and wife rather than the wife telling us about the husband's mistakes and faults. I wanted to see the stress and tension that it puts on the wife.
It did feel slow at times, but this is a slow burn thriller... once it picked up, I was fully invested in it again. From 70% - the end, I could not put it down. The twists just kept coming towards the end.
I can't wait to read the second one to see where the story is going to go because I think it's misleading (in a good way).
My first book by Samara Cove and I couldn’t put it down. Will be diving right into book 2: Who’s There?
Knock, Knock is a fast past thriller with a few twists and turns. Sarah is married to Logan and they both have secrets about their pasts, unbeknownst to each other. After Logan loses his job, Sarah randomly finds out about a long lost uncle who passed away and left his house in Tahoe to her…but with one catch.
Will they all be able to survive and last through all the troubles of this new house, a mystery man who lives in the forest on their new property, and the secrets of their pasts? Some will and some won’t.
Definitely recommend reading this fast paced thriller. 5 stars and now starting book 2: Who’s There? Can’t wait to see what else happens to this family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a great read. Although I’m usually more into the fast paced thriller books this one really kept my attention. It being a slow burn suspense thriller made me really get to know the characters. Sarah and Logan definitely had the odds stacked up against them but they aren’t blinded by the strange things that keep happening at their new home. With Sarah’s smarts and Logan’s paranoia they are able to figure out that something is just not right and they need to do something about it. The end twist had me questioning everything and I can’t wait for book #2 to help answer some of my questions I was left with.
At this point, I can safely say, if Samara writes it, I will read it! Already looking forward to the rest of the series at this point!
The whole book surely had a very creepy atmosphere. It was meant as a fresh start for Sarah and her family. But something about the house she has inherited just feels not right. And not only because a man is camping in the wooods belonging to the grounds...
The end surely shocked me! Like, I did not expect this, at all! And now I can only sit here and wonder if the next book will provide some of the answers I so desperately need...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Okay so let me preface this by saying I really did enjoy this story. however, you can NOT convince me this super smart scientist who apparently could be so DUMB. Every ten minutes there would be an inner dialogue about "should I do this?" NO "how could I not realize?" NO CLUE, good question There would be moments where a main character would remember something SUPER IMPORTANT, then it's 3 days later and oh no they forgot again!
Interested to see how the sequel ties everything together and if I'll be less annoyed when I finish
I absolutely loved this book! The suspense kept me hooked from the very first page, and the atmosphere was perfectly eerie. What really stood out to me was the use of multiple points of view and it added so much depth and tension. Getting inside both Sarah and Logan’s heads made the mystery even more gripping, and I found myself constantly second guessing what was real and who to trust.
Phil was especially chilling, always lurking just on the edge of the story. The shifting perspectives really brought that creeping dread to life.
I couldn’t put it down and now I need the next book. Can’t wait to see where this story goes next!
NO SPOILERS Knock Knock By Samara Cove Pub June 24, 2025 4 ⭐️
Are you ready for it?
Samara Cove is a new author to me, and I can’t wait to read more of her books!
Knock Knock is a slow-burn psychological thriller that grips you as the tension builds. When Sarah inherits a mysterious mansion, things quickly turn unsettling for her and her husband, Logan. Strange noises, eerie happenings, and growing doubts blur the line between what’s real and imagined.
Is the house haunted—or is it all in their heads? The author keeps you guessing right up to the end.
I’m already looking forward to the next book in the Welcome Home series, Who’s There?
Oh. My. God. Sarah and Logan were so annoying all the time. Which is ok, i understand that not all characters will be likeable all the time. The story is twisty, but sometimes those twists just feel kind of forced, they dont always make sense. Like, Carl is a totally dispensable character in my opinion. The Kent family background… waaaay too much, like bro, where did alllll of that come from? Sarah’s best friend??? Dispensable. The story contained the sufficient suspense and arouse enough questions for me to keep reading, because i usually do not finish books that i am not feeling. So, i guess it could have been much worse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Knock Knock' by Samara Cove is a captivating start to a new series that I couldn't put down! Sarah's family is facing tough times, but everything changes when her mysterious uncle leaves her a stunning home in Tahoe. As they settle in, they discover the house has a few secrets of its own. I loved how the author wove together the story, keeping me hooked from start to finish. With the series launching on June 24, I'm excited to dive into the next book and see what unfolds. Highly recommend for fans of family dramas and mystery!
After Sarah's uncle dies and Sarah and Logan having some unforseen circumstances, they move from West Virginia is Lake Tahoe. Riley (Sarah's uncle) tells Sarah in his will she has to look after Phil, the homeless guy living in the woods on the property. One day strange things start happening around the house. Is everything as it seems or is there more than meets the eye? Will Sarah get the answers she's looking for... This was a page turning good read!
Was super fast paced for me. There at the end I felt like I had to read so much just to get to the point and that was frustrating. I know there’s supposed to be a book 2 but I find that completely unnecessary. I’m not interested in continuing the series. This book could have been 100 pages less with all the jumping back and forth to finally get to the point. There doesn’t seem to be a reason for continuation of this story. Non of the characters were very likable and the conclusion felt so random.
I enjoyed the structure of this book. It was very easy to read and I liked the different pov’s. However, the main characters were frustrating and made silly mistakes and wasn’t logical or realistic.
I was planning on rating this book 4 stars but I think the last quarter of the book just got weird. I understand that it is part of a series but I felt like the last part of the book wasn’t even attached to the rest of the book.
Not a bad book to read I just probably won’t be reading the rest of the series!
I may be a little biased when it comes to this book and series. I mean the MC is Sarah, and Samara sprinkled a little of me in each book. I may have teared up a little reading about Baby Girl (if you know, you know).
So needless to say, other than that, I devoured this book, absolutely loved it. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. And I am patiently waiting for Who's There, book 2! Creepy, thrilling vibes set in Lake Tahoe was just perfect.
Samara Cove has done it again! Knock Knock had me intrigued at page 1! This book had a captivating build up to twists, suspense, and had my favorite kind of ending that left me wanting more! I love when a book ends with a cliffhanger. I was guessing throughout the book trying to figure it all out and I want more now! I’m in luck though, because Knock Knock is the first in a series. Go grab your copy of Knock Knock now!!
I found three errors in the book, but I was able to finish it. How could someone that’s supposed to be so intelligent act so damn stupid? “I’m so confused” “is this really happening?“ it’s like having a ditzy mom run around and she’s supposedly a genius. Seemed like the author was trying too hard and throwing in too many fake plot twists it didn’t help the story much . Probably won’t be reading the next in the series
At least 100 pages could,be eliminated with all the introspection from each of the characters talking to themselves for pages. Easy to skip chapters, to arrive at more of the same, and needing to skip more chapters to get to some “meat” of the story. The story doesn’t end with this book and continues with a second, or possibly more. Don’t bother unless you want pages of unnecessary dialog.
it's rare for me to not like a book. I just did not like this book. the book felt like exposition for the sequel (which I will not buy). Too many "internal thoughts" devices clouded the progress of the story line. Really didn't even get to the climax until about 95% complete. And it did not make sense overall, too many digressions and rabbit holes. I could not willingly put aside the suspension of disbelief.
Samara Cove has out done herself with this one. I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I read this in one day because I HAD to get to the ending. I don't think I've ever guessed this much in my life! The twists were really twisting. I just can't get enough of this author and can't wait till the second book comes out!