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Very Slowly All at Once
Money can’t buy happiness.
But it can buy everything else.
Mack and Hailey Evans are on the cusp of living the American Dream. Established careers, two beautiful children, and a new house on a coveted lakefront estate.
But modern life is expensive, so the anonymous cheques they start to receive are spent before they know it. Could this money be from Mack's estranged father? Or one of Hailey's clients? Does it really matter?
Then they discover that this mysterious benefactor expects a return on their investment. How far will the couple have to go to pay them back?
Debt is like fire, and someone wants to burn Mack and Hailey’s lives down to the ground.
But it can buy everything else.
Mack and Hailey Evans are on the cusp of living the American Dream. Established careers, two beautiful children, and a new house on a coveted lakefront estate.
But modern life is expensive, so the anonymous cheques they start to receive are spent before they know it. Could this money be from Mack's estranged father? Or one of Hailey's clients? Does it really matter?
Then they discover that this mysterious benefactor expects a return on their investment. How far will the couple have to go to pay them back?
Debt is like fire, and someone wants to burn Mack and Hailey’s lives down to the ground.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2026
102 people are currently reading
16470 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Schott
1 book51 followersHi, I'm Lauren, author of VERY SLOWLY ALL AT ONCE. I was born in Akron, Ohio, and now live in Henley-on-Thames in the UK with my family. VERY SLOWLY is my adult debut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 13, 2026
With the deliciously unhinged feel of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House only restyled as a thriller on steroids, Very Slowly All at Once was a slow descent into madness in the best possible way. You see, with a taut atmosphere and plenty of unsettling dread, the fractures in the seemingly perfect lives of the two primary narrators felt both oh so very real yet also quite satirical in nature. Perpetuated by some truly damning decisions, I wanted to shake them both but good all while also understanding their motives. At the same time, it was the plot that had me flying through the pages in only a handful of hours. Twisty, dark, and filled with a fiendish sense of humor, it was easily the kind of debut that I fall for head over heels. After all, the slow-boiling storyline made the unhinged-ness somehow relatable as the protagonists’ lives fell down around them.
All in all, with a plot that was both a cautionary tale and a humdinger of a story of domestic suspense, I was blown away by the crazy high stakes and even crazier—yet perfect—ending. I mean, not only was there a constant sense of unrelenting claustrophobia, but there was also an evil villain stalking in the wings just waiting to strike. Between the two, my blood turned to ice just thinking about what I would’ve done had I been in this couple’s shoes. Oh, yes. There was definitely a thought-provoking element to this chilling tale. More than that, though, it was a truly unputdownable novel of intrigue and drama. And those twists? They were simply sublime. Coming out of the blue thanks to some devious red herrings, they each shocked me but good. So if you love slow-burning plots complete with dark family secrets, grab this book now. It was a blast. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Mack and Hailey Evans have worked hard to achieve their upper-middle-class life: promising careers, two beautiful children, and a brand-new house in the exclusive lakefront village of Bratenahl, Ohio. Not that everything’s perfect—aging parents, problems at work, and even the upkeep on that gorgeous house have been causing these two increasing amounts of worry.
When a small check appears in the mailbox from a mysterious company named Sunshine Enterprises, Mack assumes it’s from his wealthy, estranged father, trying to buy his way back into their lives. Though he’d rather rip it up, Mack deposits the needed funds. To his surprise the checks keep coming—each for a larger amount larger than the last. When Hailey finds out what’s going on, she has her own suspicions about the provenance of the payments. Despite growing uncertainty over the identity of their benefactor Mack and Hailey keep taking the money. After all, there are bills to pay.
It is a choice with dark repercussions, as the couple soon learn the hard way that nothing in life is free. Suddenly, the Evans find themselves in a harrowing arrangement with someone who will stop at nothing to get a return on their investment.
Thank you Lauren Schott and Harper Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 20, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, arson, blackmail, death of a parent, mention of: stroke, drunk driving
All in all, with a plot that was both a cautionary tale and a humdinger of a story of domestic suspense, I was blown away by the crazy high stakes and even crazier—yet perfect—ending. I mean, not only was there a constant sense of unrelenting claustrophobia, but there was also an evil villain stalking in the wings just waiting to strike. Between the two, my blood turned to ice just thinking about what I would’ve done had I been in this couple’s shoes. Oh, yes. There was definitely a thought-provoking element to this chilling tale. More than that, though, it was a truly unputdownable novel of intrigue and drama. And those twists? They were simply sublime. Coming out of the blue thanks to some devious red herrings, they each shocked me but good. So if you love slow-burning plots complete with dark family secrets, grab this book now. It was a blast. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Mack and Hailey Evans have worked hard to achieve their upper-middle-class life: promising careers, two beautiful children, and a brand-new house in the exclusive lakefront village of Bratenahl, Ohio. Not that everything’s perfect—aging parents, problems at work, and even the upkeep on that gorgeous house have been causing these two increasing amounts of worry.
When a small check appears in the mailbox from a mysterious company named Sunshine Enterprises, Mack assumes it’s from his wealthy, estranged father, trying to buy his way back into their lives. Though he’d rather rip it up, Mack deposits the needed funds. To his surprise the checks keep coming—each for a larger amount larger than the last. When Hailey finds out what’s going on, she has her own suspicions about the provenance of the payments. Despite growing uncertainty over the identity of their benefactor Mack and Hailey keep taking the money. After all, there are bills to pay.
It is a choice with dark repercussions, as the couple soon learn the hard way that nothing in life is free. Suddenly, the Evans find themselves in a harrowing arrangement with someone who will stop at nothing to get a return on their investment.
Thank you Lauren Schott and Harper Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 20, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, arson, blackmail, death of a parent, mention of: stroke, drunk driving
January 12, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book courtesy of the publisher. All thoughts are my own.
This is a tough one for me to rate because my feelings are a little all over the place. Ultimately, I liked it, even though parts of it frustrated me.
The premise is strong. Mack and Hailey Evans appear to have it all: good jobs, two kids, and a beautiful home in an exclusive Ohio lake community. Behind the scenes, though, financial pressure and stress are starting to crack that polished surface. When mysterious checks begin arriving in the mail, each one larger than the last, they do what a lot of people might do. They cash them and tell themselves it’ll be fine. But then the mysterious benefactor wants something in return, and this is when things get really questionable.
The characters are messy and often unlikable, which actually worked for me. I loved hating them a little while still rooting for them to figure things out. Watching them rationalize bad decisions and sink deeper into a situation they know is wrong is where the book really shines.
We get both Mack and Hailey’s perspectives, which adds depth and highlights how disconnected they are from each other. I also liked the short chapters from the mysterious benefactor. Those moments added tension and kept me guessing about who was really pulling the strings.
I never would have guessed who was behind everything, which I appreciated. My biggest issue was the motivation. The “why” just didn’t feel strong enough to justify everything that happened. It left me wondering why they bothered going to such extremes in the first place.
Still, this is a solid, devious domestic thriller with plenty of tension and moral gray areas. If you like flawed characters, slow-building dread, and stories about money, power, and bad choices, this is worth a read, even if the ending may leave you a little conflicted.
This is a tough one for me to rate because my feelings are a little all over the place. Ultimately, I liked it, even though parts of it frustrated me.
The premise is strong. Mack and Hailey Evans appear to have it all: good jobs, two kids, and a beautiful home in an exclusive Ohio lake community. Behind the scenes, though, financial pressure and stress are starting to crack that polished surface. When mysterious checks begin arriving in the mail, each one larger than the last, they do what a lot of people might do. They cash them and tell themselves it’ll be fine. But then the mysterious benefactor wants something in return, and this is when things get really questionable.
The characters are messy and often unlikable, which actually worked for me. I loved hating them a little while still rooting for them to figure things out. Watching them rationalize bad decisions and sink deeper into a situation they know is wrong is where the book really shines.
We get both Mack and Hailey’s perspectives, which adds depth and highlights how disconnected they are from each other. I also liked the short chapters from the mysterious benefactor. Those moments added tension and kept me guessing about who was really pulling the strings.
I never would have guessed who was behind everything, which I appreciated. My biggest issue was the motivation. The “why” just didn’t feel strong enough to justify everything that happened. It left me wondering why they bothered going to such extremes in the first place.
Still, this is a solid, devious domestic thriller with plenty of tension and moral gray areas. If you like flawed characters, slow-building dread, and stories about money, power, and bad choices, this is worth a read, even if the ending may leave you a little conflicted.
January 20, 2026
BOOK: Very Slowly All at Once
AUTHOR: Lauren Schott
PUB DATE: January 20, 2026 by @Harper
PAGES: 320 pages
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Suspense/Mystery Thriller
THANK YOU to @atria & @NetGalley for gifting me an advanced digital copy of this fantastic suspense! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
QUICK SYNOPSIS: This story centers on a seemingly successful couple (Mack & Hailey Evans) whose financial worries begin to ease when unexpected money arrives from an unknown source. An apparent stroke of luck that proves anything but simple. The Evans’s have built a comfortable upper-middle-class life with promising careers, 2 small daughters, & a newly purchased home in an exclusive Ohio lakefront community. But beneath the polished surface, stress is mounting. Their family obligations, professional pressures, & the true cost of maintaining their lifestyle leave them increasingly uneasy about their financial stability. When unexplained payments begin appearing in their mailbox, the money offers temporary relief, yet raises unsettling questions. Unsure of its origin but also desperate to stay afloat, Mack & Hailey are forced to confront the moral gray areas of accepting help that comes with no clear explanation. As the sums grow & doubts intensify, the couple must grapple with the consequences of choices made under pressure.
QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: I was so excited to dive into this one, especially after seeing @heathers.book.shelf review. What a tense & unsettling story, and I was here for it! It’s definitely a page-turner and reminds readers that some opportunities come with strings attached, and that nothing is ever truly free. I really enjoyed this one!
AUTHOR: Lauren Schott
PUB DATE: January 20, 2026 by @Harper
PAGES: 320 pages
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Suspense/Mystery Thriller
THANK YOU to @atria & @NetGalley for gifting me an advanced digital copy of this fantastic suspense! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
QUICK SYNOPSIS: This story centers on a seemingly successful couple (Mack & Hailey Evans) whose financial worries begin to ease when unexpected money arrives from an unknown source. An apparent stroke of luck that proves anything but simple. The Evans’s have built a comfortable upper-middle-class life with promising careers, 2 small daughters, & a newly purchased home in an exclusive Ohio lakefront community. But beneath the polished surface, stress is mounting. Their family obligations, professional pressures, & the true cost of maintaining their lifestyle leave them increasingly uneasy about their financial stability. When unexplained payments begin appearing in their mailbox, the money offers temporary relief, yet raises unsettling questions. Unsure of its origin but also desperate to stay afloat, Mack & Hailey are forced to confront the moral gray areas of accepting help that comes with no clear explanation. As the sums grow & doubts intensify, the couple must grapple with the consequences of choices made under pressure.
QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: I was so excited to dive into this one, especially after seeing @heathers.book.shelf review. What a tense & unsettling story, and I was here for it! It’s definitely a page-turner and reminds readers that some opportunities come with strings attached, and that nothing is ever truly free. I really enjoyed this one!
January 3, 2026
Very Slowly, All at Once by Lauren Schott is the kind of thriller that settles into your bones rather than relying on shock value. From the first pages, there’s a quiet, unsettling sense of dread that never fully lifts—one that mirrors the slow unraveling of Mack and Hailey Evans’ carefully curated life. Their version of the American dream feels attainable, even enviable at first, which makes its gradual corrosion feel both satirical and disturbingly real. Schott taps into a very modern anxiety: what it costs to maintain the life you worked so hard to build.
The novel unfolds through alternating perspectives from Mack and Hailey, alongside a chilling anonymous point of view that adds momentum and tension. Both protagonists are deeply relatable in their desperation—financial pressure, aging parents, career uncertainty—and that relatability is what makes their choices feel so dangerous. This isn’t a thriller driven by constant twists, but by escalation: each decision builds naturally on the last, tightening the vise until the consequences feel inevitable. The slow burn works beautifully here, allowing the tension to mount in a way that feels earned rather than sensational.
While the ending doesn’t wrap everything up neatly, it feels intentional rather than frustrating. The lack of clean resolution reinforces the book’s central themes about compromise, greed, and the stories we tell ourselves to justify survival. Darkly clever, sharp, and laced with wicked humor, Very Slowly, All at Once is a smart debut that exposes just how thin the line can be between comfort and catastrophe, and how quickly “enough” is never really enough.
January 21, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Every once in a while I stumble onto a new author and immediately think, “Where have you been?” I was completely pulled into this debut novel from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that makes you lose track of time because you just want to keep going. The author has such a confident, engaging voice, and I especially loved how the humor resonated with me. Schott weaves it naturally into the characters’ personalities and the storyline, which added a fun, relatable layer to the overall tone. I also enjoyed the audiobook; Andrew J. Anderson’s narration added so much personality and really made everything feel real. If I had to nitpick, there were a few moments that leaned a little predictable and an occasional lull in the tension, but nothing that seriously affected my enjoyment. Overall, it was an impressive first novel, and I finished it genuinely happy to have discovered a new author I’m excited to follow.
Every once in a while I stumble onto a new author and immediately think, “Where have you been?” I was completely pulled into this debut novel from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that makes you lose track of time because you just want to keep going. The author has such a confident, engaging voice, and I especially loved how the humor resonated with me. Schott weaves it naturally into the characters’ personalities and the storyline, which added a fun, relatable layer to the overall tone. I also enjoyed the audiobook; Andrew J. Anderson’s narration added so much personality and really made everything feel real. If I had to nitpick, there were a few moments that leaned a little predictable and an occasional lull in the tension, but nothing that seriously affected my enjoyment. Overall, it was an impressive first novel, and I finished it genuinely happy to have discovered a new author I’m excited to follow.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to HQ stories and Harper Collins for gifting me a copy of this book for review!!
I really enjoyed this fast paced domestic thriller!
What would you do if you received mysterious cheques in the mail? And how far would you go to protect your family?
The characters in this arent likeable but thats the point, these people are desperate and you can feel the tension build with every page!
This was a well crafted, fast paced thriller that left me shocked at the twist. Definitely one all thriller fans so put on their list for the release on the 20th!
I really enjoyed this fast paced domestic thriller!
What would you do if you received mysterious cheques in the mail? And how far would you go to protect your family?
The characters in this arent likeable but thats the point, these people are desperate and you can feel the tension build with every page!
This was a well crafted, fast paced thriller that left me shocked at the twist. Definitely one all thriller fans so put on their list for the release on the 20th!
January 30, 2026
3.25 ⭐️.
I have mixed feelings on this one! I enjoyed the pace and I found myself intrigued all the way thru the end. The ending was kind of abrupt, and I was kind of like, “huh? That’s it?” Well ok then!
Anyway, this was a great debut, but most likely a book that will not stay in my memory bank for more than a few months. 😜
I have mixed feelings on this one! I enjoyed the pace and I found myself intrigued all the way thru the end. The ending was kind of abrupt, and I was kind of like, “huh? That’s it?” Well ok then!
Anyway, this was a great debut, but most likely a book that will not stay in my memory bank for more than a few months. 😜
January 30, 2026
2 generous stars for a book that had promise. Good premise but poor execution. If you want a book that has: rich adults whining, marital problems, and a lazy ending this is the book for you.
October 2, 2025
Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott. Thanks to @harperbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mack and Hailey Evans look perfect on the outside but are struggling financially and in their marriage. When they start receiving mysterious checks, they have some ideas about the benefactor. Despite not being sure, they take advantage of the money with dark repercussions.
This was a surprising debut that hooked me immediately. It’s a unique and interesting plot that gets weirder as time goes by. Thankfully there’s an adorable wiener dog in it because he’s about the only likeable character in the story, despite his claim to fame being urinating inside (granted it’s because his humans pretty much forget about him poor thing)! This story gets wild towards the end. Hold onto your seat.
“Sometimes you need to burn things to the ground to get them right where you want them.”
Very Slowly All at Once comes out 1/20.
Mack and Hailey Evans look perfect on the outside but are struggling financially and in their marriage. When they start receiving mysterious checks, they have some ideas about the benefactor. Despite not being sure, they take advantage of the money with dark repercussions.
This was a surprising debut that hooked me immediately. It’s a unique and interesting plot that gets weirder as time goes by. Thankfully there’s an adorable wiener dog in it because he’s about the only likeable character in the story, despite his claim to fame being urinating inside (granted it’s because his humans pretty much forget about him poor thing)! This story gets wild towards the end. Hold onto your seat.
“Sometimes you need to burn things to the ground to get them right where you want them.”
Very Slowly All at Once comes out 1/20.
January 19, 2026
Mack and Hailey have it all – almost!
Very Slowly All At Once is utterly brilliant. It is one of those reads that kept me entranced throughout. The short and pacy chapters, the italicised interspersions of commentary that make the reader complicit in the action, and the unbearable tension all combine to make this a fantastic read.
I thought the characterisation was so clever. I really didn’t like Mack much as he felt selfish, weak and immature with his hedonistic desire to be another Hemingway. Equally, I thought Hailey was rash, conceited and far too concerned with societal appearance, so that at times I was glad they were finding their lives hard going – it served them right! This had the effect of making me feel as evil as the ‘Instigator’, ensuring I was totally wrapped up in the narrative. But at the same time I was completely invested in what happened to Mack and Hailey. Lauren Schott might have made me feel a slight contempt for her protagonists, but she made me care about them at the same time. That is such skilful writing.
I loved the setting too. The social divide in Cleveland as Bratenahl residents feel superior to those in less salubrious areas seemed totally authentic. The disregard of the less fortunate by the privileged in a community, sectioning off public rights of way, and the literal and metaphorical fracturing of place was so deftly handled and made me far more grateful for my own life and modest surroundings.
The plot of Very Slowly All At Once simply races along with so many ‘what if’ suggestions and decisions to be made that it really is a breathless read. Its impact also comes from the twisted morality presented. Throughout the story it’s impossible not to question what the reader might do in similar circumstances to Mack and Hailey. I defy a reader not to have to reconsider their own ethics when faced with the same situation. In addition, the concept that actions have consequences is like a punch in the solar plexus. This is a book to make you think as well as to entertain and leaves the reader realising how easy it is for a life to unravel.
Other themes add layers of depth and interest too. The role of money and technology in the modern world features strongly, as does the concept of being careful what you wish for. Family dynamics are explored, alongside nature and nurture so that whilst we might disapprove of or judge the actions of the characters, we understand them completely. I found the portrait of marriage between Mack and Hailey very authentic, even as I despaired at their behaviour towards one another at times. All these aspects combine to create a story that is simply gripping.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the narrative action for fear of spoilers, but Very Slowly All At Once made my heart thump with excitement and my brain whirl with possibility and questions. I absolutely loved reading it. It’s fantastic and not to be missed.
Very Slowly All At Once is utterly brilliant. It is one of those reads that kept me entranced throughout. The short and pacy chapters, the italicised interspersions of commentary that make the reader complicit in the action, and the unbearable tension all combine to make this a fantastic read.
I thought the characterisation was so clever. I really didn’t like Mack much as he felt selfish, weak and immature with his hedonistic desire to be another Hemingway. Equally, I thought Hailey was rash, conceited and far too concerned with societal appearance, so that at times I was glad they were finding their lives hard going – it served them right! This had the effect of making me feel as evil as the ‘Instigator’, ensuring I was totally wrapped up in the narrative. But at the same time I was completely invested in what happened to Mack and Hailey. Lauren Schott might have made me feel a slight contempt for her protagonists, but she made me care about them at the same time. That is such skilful writing.
I loved the setting too. The social divide in Cleveland as Bratenahl residents feel superior to those in less salubrious areas seemed totally authentic. The disregard of the less fortunate by the privileged in a community, sectioning off public rights of way, and the literal and metaphorical fracturing of place was so deftly handled and made me far more grateful for my own life and modest surroundings.
The plot of Very Slowly All At Once simply races along with so many ‘what if’ suggestions and decisions to be made that it really is a breathless read. Its impact also comes from the twisted morality presented. Throughout the story it’s impossible not to question what the reader might do in similar circumstances to Mack and Hailey. I defy a reader not to have to reconsider their own ethics when faced with the same situation. In addition, the concept that actions have consequences is like a punch in the solar plexus. This is a book to make you think as well as to entertain and leaves the reader realising how easy it is for a life to unravel.
Other themes add layers of depth and interest too. The role of money and technology in the modern world features strongly, as does the concept of being careful what you wish for. Family dynamics are explored, alongside nature and nurture so that whilst we might disapprove of or judge the actions of the characters, we understand them completely. I found the portrait of marriage between Mack and Hailey very authentic, even as I despaired at their behaviour towards one another at times. All these aspects combine to create a story that is simply gripping.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the narrative action for fear of spoilers, but Very Slowly All At Once made my heart thump with excitement and my brain whirl with possibility and questions. I absolutely loved reading it. It’s fantastic and not to be missed.
February 1, 2026
Very Slowly All at Once
By: Lauren Schott
🤔
This one was impressive for a debut. I enjoyed Hailey & Mack, their children, their jobs, etc. & the concept was very unique.
🤔
A couple starts receiving as unsolicited checks in very large amounts. Because they could use the money, they deposit all of these checks. Then the demands start coming.
🤔
The whole time, I was dying to know who the checks were coming from. And always revealed in the end. But I've found the reveal at the end a bit anti-climatic.
🤔
Although this one did not knock my socks off, I would definitely read other books by the author. Has anyone else read this one?
🤔🤔🤔
By: Lauren Schott
🤔
This one was impressive for a debut. I enjoyed Hailey & Mack, their children, their jobs, etc. & the concept was very unique.
🤔
A couple starts receiving as unsolicited checks in very large amounts. Because they could use the money, they deposit all of these checks. Then the demands start coming.
🤔
The whole time, I was dying to know who the checks were coming from. And always revealed in the end. But I've found the reveal at the end a bit anti-climatic.
🤔
Although this one did not knock my socks off, I would definitely read other books by the author. Has anyone else read this one?
🤔🤔🤔
dnf
February 4, 2026Actually cant deal w this and skipped to the end. Thank god i didnt read more wow
January 29, 2026
Bleh. The premise of this was so exciting for me, but it really just didn't quite deliver a good shock factor anywhere. It was a bit predictable, but still entertaining enough.
December 12, 2025
Thank you Good Reads and Harper Collins for my ARC of this book. A fast-paced thriller with twists and turns that keeps me guessing is one of my absolute favorite genres to read, however this one fell slightly flat for me towards the end. Hailey and Mack’s personalities and relationship were antagonistic throughout the entire book leading me to believe the author did not want anyone to empathize or sympathize with either of them, which I did not mind.
Some of the choices they made to continue to storyline seemed odd/unrealistic but the reveal of their tormentor really let me down. It was unexpected but also anticlimactic. Given Mack’s family history and Hailey’s profession I really wanted someone more juicy as the culprit. Overall “Very Slowly All at Once” is page turner that left me unsatisfied at its conclusion.
Some of the choices they made to continue to storyline seemed odd/unrealistic but the reveal of their tormentor really let me down. It was unexpected but also anticlimactic. Given Mack’s family history and Hailey’s profession I really wanted someone more juicy as the culprit. Overall “Very Slowly All at Once” is page turner that left me unsatisfied at its conclusion.
January 2, 2026
This was fast-paced and gripped me from the start. A real page turner. While the characters weren’t always likeable at times, they really came to life on the page which to me is a sign of great writing. I liked the twist towards the end, but wasn’t 100% sure of the motivations behind the actions.
December 4, 2025
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Mack and Hailey Evans have the picture-perfect life - great jobs, two kids, a lake house - until mysterious checks start showing up from “Sunshine Enterprises.” At first it seems like a mistake, but before long, their once-perfect world starts falling apart.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This debut is a sharp, satirical look at the American dream and everything people do to keep it.
The story alternates between Hailey, Mack, and a mysterious third POV. I liked Hailey and Mack - they felt real, and their panic as things spiraled felt believable. But I struggled with the unknown POV. They focus heavily on their neighborhood, (which got a bit dry) and their father, and ngl, I kept losing track of what connected it all. The reveal at the end did surprise me, but it didn't give me that satisfying "oh, now it all makes sense" epiphany.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If you like domestic suspense with a satirical edge and don't mind a slow burn, this debut is worth checking out. It's less about big twists and more about watching a "perfect" life quietly fall apart.
Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Andrew J. Andersen
📖 Publishes 01•20•26 | 320 pages | 8h 57m
Mack and Hailey Evans have the picture-perfect life - great jobs, two kids, a lake house - until mysterious checks start showing up from “Sunshine Enterprises.” At first it seems like a mistake, but before long, their once-perfect world starts falling apart.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This debut is a sharp, satirical look at the American dream and everything people do to keep it.
The story alternates between Hailey, Mack, and a mysterious third POV. I liked Hailey and Mack - they felt real, and their panic as things spiraled felt believable. But I struggled with the unknown POV. They focus heavily on their neighborhood, (which got a bit dry) and their father, and ngl, I kept losing track of what connected it all. The reveal at the end did surprise me, but it didn't give me that satisfying "oh, now it all makes sense" epiphany.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If you like domestic suspense with a satirical edge and don't mind a slow burn, this debut is worth checking out. It's less about big twists and more about watching a "perfect" life quietly fall apart.
Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Andrew J. Andersen
📖 Publishes 01•20•26 | 320 pages | 8h 57m
August 4, 2025
I got this book less than a week ago and whipped through it right away. I could not put it down. The concept is so fresh - Mack and Hailey Evans have just built their dream home in Bratenahl on the shores of Lake Erie. Hailey is a lawyer and Mack is a college professor. But both of them are in trouble - Hailey's latest client isn't paying up, and Mack is on administrative leave from his university. When they begin receiving bizarre cash payments from a company called Sunshine Enterprises, Mack figures he might as well deposit them. They are drowning in expenses, and Mack's mother in Florida has recently incurred a lot of bills, too. But that money comes with an exorbitant price, and as the world comes crumbling down around them, the Evanses struggle to stay afloat. This is the epitome of the "torture your characters" writing advice. It seems like they never get a win. I was on edge the entire time. I probably read too fast also, but I seriously could not stop. I also liked the Cleveland setting, although I'm not too familiar with Bratenahl other than seeing it as an exit on 90 when I was a kid.
August 31, 2025
I think this is meant to satirise the American dream in reverse by showing how a life can fall about for no real reason, and while they continue to make stupid decisions throughout, their decisions have little impact on what happens.
But it didn’t work for me as there wasn’t any real tension and the plot was predictable. It was a page turner only in the sense I wanted to get to the end as soon as possible.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the arc
But it didn’t work for me as there wasn’t any real tension and the plot was predictable. It was a page turner only in the sense I wanted to get to the end as soon as possible.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the arc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott is one of those books that creeps up on you, settles in comfortably, and then starts quietly rearranging the furniture in your brain.
Published by Harper, with a genuine thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC and audiobook.
This story is a slow, meticulous dismantling of the American Dream, the kind that doesn’t rely on flashy twists or nonstop chaos but instead leans hard into dread, pressure, and very human bad decisions. Mack and Hailey Evans look perfect from the outside: solid careers, two kids, a gorgeous lakefront home in Bratenahl, Ohio. Inside that house, though, everything is cracking. Money is tight, work is unstable, family obligations are relentless, and the stress hums constantly in the background like a faulty appliance you can’t afford to replace. When anonymous checks from Sunshine Enterprises start arriving, the temptation feels almost cruel in its timing. I didn’t spend this book yelling “don’t do it” so much as whispering “I understand why you did,” which is honestly more unsettling.
The tension here builds exactly the way real-life disasters do. Very slowly, and then all at once. Every choice Mack and Hailey make feels small in the moment and catastrophic in hindsight. I loved how the financial anxiety sits at the center of everything, poisoning their marriage, their communication, and even their sense of who they are. These are not shiny, heroic characters. They’re defensive, proud, secretive, and frequently frustrating. They’re also painfully believable. The cracks in their relationship felt real, especially the way silence and assumptions do more damage than any single argument.
The structure works beautifully. Alternating perspectives keep the story moving while constantly shifting your loyalties, and the mysterious third point of view adds a layer of unease that never fully lets you relax. There’s a voyeuristic quality to the narrative that made me feel watched right along with the characters. The neighborhood setting, with its wealth and quiet judgment, adds to that sense that everyone is observing, measuring, and waiting for the Evanses to fail. It’s domestic suspense at its most uncomfortable, where the horror comes from mortgages, reputations, and the fear of losing everything you’ve worked for.
Schott’s writing has a dry, sharp wit that cuts through the tension at just the right moments. I found myself smirking even as things were spiraling, which somehow made the stakes feel higher. One line that perfectly captures the tone is: “Sometimes you need to burn things to the ground to get them right where you want them.” That philosophy pulses beneath the entire book, daring the characters to see how much they’re willing to sacrifice to stay afloat.
The ending won’t be for everyone, but I appreciated how bold and unsettling it was. It doesn’t hand you easy answers or moral comfort. Instead, it asks you to sit with the consequences and decide what you would have done differently, if at all. That lingering discomfort is a strength here, not a flaw.
I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Andrew J. Andersen, and it was an excellent companion to the text. His measured delivery heightened the tension and made the quieter moments feel especially loaded. If you enjoy audiobooks that lean into atmosphere rather than theatrics, this one absolutely works.
Very Slowly All at Once is a smart, unsettling debut that proves you don’t need nonstop action to keep readers hooked. It’s a slow-burn domestic thriller about money, marriage, and the terrifying cost of saying yes when you should probably say no. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.
★★★★☆ 4.5 stars
#VerySlowlyAllAtOnce #LaurenSchott #BookReview #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalSuspense #MysteryReads #NetGalley #GiftedARC #AudiobookReview #AndrewJAndersen #HarperBooks #SlowBurnThriller #2026BookReleases
Published by Harper, with a genuine thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC and audiobook.
This story is a slow, meticulous dismantling of the American Dream, the kind that doesn’t rely on flashy twists or nonstop chaos but instead leans hard into dread, pressure, and very human bad decisions. Mack and Hailey Evans look perfect from the outside: solid careers, two kids, a gorgeous lakefront home in Bratenahl, Ohio. Inside that house, though, everything is cracking. Money is tight, work is unstable, family obligations are relentless, and the stress hums constantly in the background like a faulty appliance you can’t afford to replace. When anonymous checks from Sunshine Enterprises start arriving, the temptation feels almost cruel in its timing. I didn’t spend this book yelling “don’t do it” so much as whispering “I understand why you did,” which is honestly more unsettling.
The tension here builds exactly the way real-life disasters do. Very slowly, and then all at once. Every choice Mack and Hailey make feels small in the moment and catastrophic in hindsight. I loved how the financial anxiety sits at the center of everything, poisoning their marriage, their communication, and even their sense of who they are. These are not shiny, heroic characters. They’re defensive, proud, secretive, and frequently frustrating. They’re also painfully believable. The cracks in their relationship felt real, especially the way silence and assumptions do more damage than any single argument.
The structure works beautifully. Alternating perspectives keep the story moving while constantly shifting your loyalties, and the mysterious third point of view adds a layer of unease that never fully lets you relax. There’s a voyeuristic quality to the narrative that made me feel watched right along with the characters. The neighborhood setting, with its wealth and quiet judgment, adds to that sense that everyone is observing, measuring, and waiting for the Evanses to fail. It’s domestic suspense at its most uncomfortable, where the horror comes from mortgages, reputations, and the fear of losing everything you’ve worked for.
Schott’s writing has a dry, sharp wit that cuts through the tension at just the right moments. I found myself smirking even as things were spiraling, which somehow made the stakes feel higher. One line that perfectly captures the tone is: “Sometimes you need to burn things to the ground to get them right where you want them.” That philosophy pulses beneath the entire book, daring the characters to see how much they’re willing to sacrifice to stay afloat.
The ending won’t be for everyone, but I appreciated how bold and unsettling it was. It doesn’t hand you easy answers or moral comfort. Instead, it asks you to sit with the consequences and decide what you would have done differently, if at all. That lingering discomfort is a strength here, not a flaw.
I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Andrew J. Andersen, and it was an excellent companion to the text. His measured delivery heightened the tension and made the quieter moments feel especially loaded. If you enjoy audiobooks that lean into atmosphere rather than theatrics, this one absolutely works.
Very Slowly All at Once is a smart, unsettling debut that proves you don’t need nonstop action to keep readers hooked. It’s a slow-burn domestic thriller about money, marriage, and the terrifying cost of saying yes when you should probably say no. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.
★★★★☆ 4.5 stars
#VerySlowlyAllAtOnce #LaurenSchott #BookReview #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalSuspense #MysteryReads #NetGalley #GiftedARC #AudiobookReview #AndrewJAndersen #HarperBooks #SlowBurnThriller #2026BookReleases
November 14, 2025
Thanks to HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review. I was lucky enough to receive a proof of this at the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Festival 2025.
This was goooood. Billed as a thriller, and I suppose in a way it is, but not what you might expect from a thriller. I understand why they have billed it as a thriller, and I'm not sure what else I'd call it, but for the most part it isn't that...thrillery. I don't mean that in a negative way at all, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was very good. But it's a quieter thriller, one that makes you look over your shoulder because you're not sure who to believe or true. It's a very good character exploration and an exploration of threads, instead of being a full on bells and whistle thriller, if that makes sense.
It is unsettling, it's unnerving, it's quiet, too quiet.
Thrillers are my most read genre and because of that, they can get a bit samey, and whilst this had familiar elements, the main story was fresh and I really liked that.
I read it in less than 24 hours - it even accompanied me to a hospital appointment so I could read it in the waiting room as I had to know what happened.
It does ask some interesting questions. If you were in financial difficulty, and you suddenly started receiving checks from an unknown individual, would you keep them? Are you morally expected to report them, even if that means you fall behind on your mortgage payments or food for your children?
We flick from Mack's POV to Hailey's POV, with a mysterious third voice coming every few chapters.
I didn't like Mack particularly. He lied, kept secrets, and let his anger rule. Hailey...I also disliked her but not as much. She was struggling but it felt like she was trying to keep up appearances, be someone she's not. But as the shit hit the fan, as it were, she became more likeable and I wanted to support her.
I am not knowledgeable about the location and so I can't comment on its accuracy, but she's done a good job in describing it that you get a real feel and a real sense of the space.
I'm not sure I liked the ending. There were twists and tuns and I did like the big whodunnit reveal, but I still didn't really understand it. I mean, I reread the last few chapters and I could see why the person in question targeted Mack and Hailey, but it didn't seem an appropriate level of retaliation for me.
The ending also felt too open. I don't mind an open-ended ending generally, or a closed one, but this felt unfinished and I was waiting for an epilogue or something else to tie it all up.
I believe this is her debut and it is definitely a promising one and I look forward to what comes next.
This was goooood. Billed as a thriller, and I suppose in a way it is, but not what you might expect from a thriller. I understand why they have billed it as a thriller, and I'm not sure what else I'd call it, but for the most part it isn't that...thrillery. I don't mean that in a negative way at all, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was very good. But it's a quieter thriller, one that makes you look over your shoulder because you're not sure who to believe or true. It's a very good character exploration and an exploration of threads, instead of being a full on bells and whistle thriller, if that makes sense.
It is unsettling, it's unnerving, it's quiet, too quiet.
Thrillers are my most read genre and because of that, they can get a bit samey, and whilst this had familiar elements, the main story was fresh and I really liked that.
I read it in less than 24 hours - it even accompanied me to a hospital appointment so I could read it in the waiting room as I had to know what happened.
It does ask some interesting questions. If you were in financial difficulty, and you suddenly started receiving checks from an unknown individual, would you keep them? Are you morally expected to report them, even if that means you fall behind on your mortgage payments or food for your children?
We flick from Mack's POV to Hailey's POV, with a mysterious third voice coming every few chapters.
I didn't like Mack particularly. He lied, kept secrets, and let his anger rule. Hailey...I also disliked her but not as much. She was struggling but it felt like she was trying to keep up appearances, be someone she's not. But as the shit hit the fan, as it were, she became more likeable and I wanted to support her.
I am not knowledgeable about the location and so I can't comment on its accuracy, but she's done a good job in describing it that you get a real feel and a real sense of the space.
I'm not sure I liked the ending. There were twists and tuns and I did like the big whodunnit reveal, but I still didn't really understand it. I mean, I reread the last few chapters and I could see why the person in question targeted Mack and Hailey, but it didn't seem an appropriate level of retaliation for me.
The ending also felt too open. I don't mind an open-ended ending generally, or a closed one, but this felt unfinished and I was waiting for an epilogue or something else to tie it all up.
I believe this is her debut and it is definitely a promising one and I look forward to what comes next.
January 24, 2026
Domestic thriller about a couple who are drowning in debt until they start receiving mysterious checks in the mail.
Mack and Hailey Evans have everything that looks like the American Dream. She has a high powered career as a divorce attorney and he is a popular professor at a local college. They have two lovely little girls and a brand new lakefront home in an exclusive Cleveland neighborhood. But, behind the scenes, the foundation of their house is cracking, Mack is put on leave following accusations of a scandal involving his students, and Hailey is struggling to get money from a wealthy client. In addition, Mack now has to pay for his mother’s nursing home care.
Then, a check from a company called Sunshine Enterprises arrives. Mack deposits it, convinced it was sent from his estranged con man father. Then more checks arrive and the amounts get bigger. Pretty soon the couple has cashed enough to fall into a clever trap set by their anonymous benefactor who now starts demanding a return on the investment. Will Hailey and Mack commit increasingly illegal and violent acts to pay off this debt?
I’m usually a bit wary of domestic thrillers because they are so predictable but this one kept me hooked. The psychological threat of ruin and exposure is grounded in real world anxiety with that feat of the couple losing everything. Now Mack and Hailey aren’t the most likable pair. They have many flaws and they make some terrible choices that made them hard to root for at times. Eventually I had to hope for the best for them in escaping this certain collapse. The tension builds slowly with each event as everything just builds up forcing a breakdown as they are pushed to their very limits.
The narrative shifts between points of view of the couple and an unknown party but even so it is hard to guess the revelations and motivations. The conclusion was a little anticlimactic, but worked.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Andrew J. Andersen, had an engaging voice but I was sorry there wasn’t a female counterpart for Hailey. The two main characters had equal parts so it would seem fitting. He did an OK job trying to keep all of the different voices distinct along with some accents. I always enjoy a book more when I can listen and read at the same time.
Mack and Hailey Evans have everything that looks like the American Dream. She has a high powered career as a divorce attorney and he is a popular professor at a local college. They have two lovely little girls and a brand new lakefront home in an exclusive Cleveland neighborhood. But, behind the scenes, the foundation of their house is cracking, Mack is put on leave following accusations of a scandal involving his students, and Hailey is struggling to get money from a wealthy client. In addition, Mack now has to pay for his mother’s nursing home care.
Then, a check from a company called Sunshine Enterprises arrives. Mack deposits it, convinced it was sent from his estranged con man father. Then more checks arrive and the amounts get bigger. Pretty soon the couple has cashed enough to fall into a clever trap set by their anonymous benefactor who now starts demanding a return on the investment. Will Hailey and Mack commit increasingly illegal and violent acts to pay off this debt?
I’m usually a bit wary of domestic thrillers because they are so predictable but this one kept me hooked. The psychological threat of ruin and exposure is grounded in real world anxiety with that feat of the couple losing everything. Now Mack and Hailey aren’t the most likable pair. They have many flaws and they make some terrible choices that made them hard to root for at times. Eventually I had to hope for the best for them in escaping this certain collapse. The tension builds slowly with each event as everything just builds up forcing a breakdown as they are pushed to their very limits.
The narrative shifts between points of view of the couple and an unknown party but even so it is hard to guess the revelations and motivations. The conclusion was a little anticlimactic, but worked.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Andrew J. Andersen, had an engaging voice but I was sorry there wasn’t a female counterpart for Hailey. The two main characters had equal parts so it would seem fitting. He did an OK job trying to keep all of the different voices distinct along with some accents. I always enjoy a book more when I can listen and read at the same time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE…
Mack and Hailey Evans are an upper middle class couple living in Bratenahl, Ohio with their two young daughters and their dog, Gulliver. Their financial problems are seemingly answered when they begin receiving growing sums of money from an unknown source . . .
When the first check appears in the mailbox from a mysterious company named Sunshine Enterprises, Mack assumes it’s from his wealthy, estranged father…
NEVER ASSUME
Though he’d rather rip it up, Mack deposits the needed funds and to his surprise the checks keep coming—each for a larger amount than the last.
When Hailey finds out what’s going on, she has her own suspicions about who the money could be coming from…
HOUSE OF CARDS
With their personal and professional lives, literally and figuratively crumbling around them, they continue to deposit the checks but they soon find out that nothing in life is free. Soon the Evans find themselves in a traumatic entanglement with someone who expects them to pay back the money with a few non negotiable “favors”….
WHO is “Sunshine Enterprises” and WHY were the Evans targeted?
The story unfolds from the alternating POVs of Hailey, Mack, and the UNKNOWN person responsible for it all…
I’m always searching for UNIQUE Domestic suspense stories and this DEBUT fit the bill. It was a two sitting read that held my interest from the start and kept me intrigued throughout. Even poor Gulliver has his struggles but don’t worry, dog lovers-nothing TOO harrowing!
3.75 stars rounded up!
Expected Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Thank You to Harper Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Mack and Hailey Evans are an upper middle class couple living in Bratenahl, Ohio with their two young daughters and their dog, Gulliver. Their financial problems are seemingly answered when they begin receiving growing sums of money from an unknown source . . .
When the first check appears in the mailbox from a mysterious company named Sunshine Enterprises, Mack assumes it’s from his wealthy, estranged father…
NEVER ASSUME
Though he’d rather rip it up, Mack deposits the needed funds and to his surprise the checks keep coming—each for a larger amount than the last.
When Hailey finds out what’s going on, she has her own suspicions about who the money could be coming from…
HOUSE OF CARDS
With their personal and professional lives, literally and figuratively crumbling around them, they continue to deposit the checks but they soon find out that nothing in life is free. Soon the Evans find themselves in a traumatic entanglement with someone who expects them to pay back the money with a few non negotiable “favors”….
WHO is “Sunshine Enterprises” and WHY were the Evans targeted?
The story unfolds from the alternating POVs of Hailey, Mack, and the UNKNOWN person responsible for it all…
I’m always searching for UNIQUE Domestic suspense stories and this DEBUT fit the bill. It was a two sitting read that held my interest from the start and kept me intrigued throughout. Even poor Gulliver has his struggles but don’t worry, dog lovers-nothing TOO harrowing!
3.75 stars rounded up!
Expected Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Thank You to Harper Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, @harper, for the gifted ARC!
Rundown:
✨️hidden family secrets
✨️desperate/unlikable characters
✨️blackmail
✨️trouble in paradise
✨️Cleveland Suburb
Synopsis ✒️
Mack and Hailey are living the American Dream. On the surface, they have two beautiful children, perfect jobs, and a large new home in a nice area of Cleveland. In reality, they are struggling to pay their bills each month. When a large check from Sunshine Enterprises comes in the mail, Mack assumes it's from his estranged father and deposits it. The checks keep coming, each larger than the last and out of desperation they keep depositing them. Eventually, the checks stop, and Sunshine Enterprises comes to collect.
Thoughts 💭
Both Hailey and Mack weren't particularly likable characters. The more I got to know them, the less I liked them. In fact, none of the characters were really likable. This didn't bother me, though, because I was too intrigued by the mystery of who was behind Sunshine Enterprises. If you enjoy stories for their likable characters, then turn back now. Mack and Hailey both had their suspicions of who was Sunshine Enterprises, but they didn't add up for me. We get glimpses into this person through anonymous chapters in the story. It was a little confusing at times, but it was really the only way we got clues and ultimately found out who this person was. There was a slow build-up with a lot of drama in between, which was fun. I did enjoy the ending, but it was a little random and unexpected. I do think this was a fun thriller with an interesting premise that most readers would enjoy.
Rundown:
✨️hidden family secrets
✨️desperate/unlikable characters
✨️blackmail
✨️trouble in paradise
✨️Cleveland Suburb
Synopsis ✒️
Mack and Hailey are living the American Dream. On the surface, they have two beautiful children, perfect jobs, and a large new home in a nice area of Cleveland. In reality, they are struggling to pay their bills each month. When a large check from Sunshine Enterprises comes in the mail, Mack assumes it's from his estranged father and deposits it. The checks keep coming, each larger than the last and out of desperation they keep depositing them. Eventually, the checks stop, and Sunshine Enterprises comes to collect.
Thoughts 💭
Both Hailey and Mack weren't particularly likable characters. The more I got to know them, the less I liked them. In fact, none of the characters were really likable. This didn't bother me, though, because I was too intrigued by the mystery of who was behind Sunshine Enterprises. If you enjoy stories for their likable characters, then turn back now. Mack and Hailey both had their suspicions of who was Sunshine Enterprises, but they didn't add up for me. We get glimpses into this person through anonymous chapters in the story. It was a little confusing at times, but it was really the only way we got clues and ultimately found out who this person was. There was a slow build-up with a lot of drama in between, which was fun. I did enjoy the ending, but it was a little random and unexpected. I do think this was a fun thriller with an interesting premise that most readers would enjoy.
February 1, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and HQ for the review copy of Very slowly all at once by Lauren Schott
The story follows Mack and Hailey Evans who receive much needed money from a random company just when they need it following issues in both their careers. Soon after they are asked to commit a crime as payment for the money given and things soon spiral. The book puts to test the question of how far you would go to protect the life you are living.
The book has 3 POVs following both Mack and Hailey as well as the anonymous benefactor and manipulator of the story. We see the cracks in both Mack and Hailey's lives and how this makes them perfect for the manipulation that ensues. The pacing is good and the POVs are well done. Whilst the anonymous antagonist does have some parts that drag, it all makes sense for the story as it develops. The characters are well formed and I loved the inclusion of a dachshund because they are my fave dogs! The plot was well done with us not finding out the villain until the end. The only complaint on the plot is the ending is somewhat unrealistic and a bit anticlimactic after everything that's been built up. I won't divulge precisely why I feel this way as I don't want to give away major spoilers. The lives of mack and Hailey are realistic and reflect plights of many people including house issues, job issues and relationships issues. Their issues do not seem unreasonable or unbelievable and it is easy to see how one might make the decisions they did when backed in a corner.
Overall I enjoyed this book, it was a good one for the genre and it was well written. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The story follows Mack and Hailey Evans who receive much needed money from a random company just when they need it following issues in both their careers. Soon after they are asked to commit a crime as payment for the money given and things soon spiral. The book puts to test the question of how far you would go to protect the life you are living.
The book has 3 POVs following both Mack and Hailey as well as the anonymous benefactor and manipulator of the story. We see the cracks in both Mack and Hailey's lives and how this makes them perfect for the manipulation that ensues. The pacing is good and the POVs are well done. Whilst the anonymous antagonist does have some parts that drag, it all makes sense for the story as it develops. The characters are well formed and I loved the inclusion of a dachshund because they are my fave dogs! The plot was well done with us not finding out the villain until the end. The only complaint on the plot is the ending is somewhat unrealistic and a bit anticlimactic after everything that's been built up. I won't divulge precisely why I feel this way as I don't want to give away major spoilers. The lives of mack and Hailey are realistic and reflect plights of many people including house issues, job issues and relationships issues. Their issues do not seem unreasonable or unbelievable and it is easy to see how one might make the decisions they did when backed in a corner.
Overall I enjoyed this book, it was a good one for the genre and it was well written. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A propulsive and wickedly entertaining debut thriller that explores the dark underside of the American dream, about a couple whose financial problems are seemingly answered when they begin receiving growing sums of money from an unknown source . . . a windfall that will carry an unthinkable price.
Thank you to Harper Books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up! This book was very entertaining even if the storyline wasn't my favorite. This story follows Mack and Hailey, a family living in a boujee Cleveland-area neighborhood whose lives descend into chaos as they start receiving money from an anonymous company and coming to terms with their own lifestyle that they really can't afford.
This book was especially entertaining because Mack and Hailey are just the most awful characters. I'm always looking for redeeming qualities or a growing and learning storyline but these two are the worst. And because of that every time something else goes wrong or another twist is introduced I was completely locked in. It felt low stakes and fun to go along with the ride. I also loved the physical manifestations of 'their lives are falling apart' through the new house issues in the story.
I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, it felt a little underwhelming after the chaos of the whole story. But still it was a fun read if you're a fan of domestic thrillers!
Thank you to Harper Books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up! This book was very entertaining even if the storyline wasn't my favorite. This story follows Mack and Hailey, a family living in a boujee Cleveland-area neighborhood whose lives descend into chaos as they start receiving money from an anonymous company and coming to terms with their own lifestyle that they really can't afford.
This book was especially entertaining because Mack and Hailey are just the most awful characters. I'm always looking for redeeming qualities or a growing and learning storyline but these two are the worst. And because of that every time something else goes wrong or another twist is introduced I was completely locked in. It felt low stakes and fun to go along with the ride. I also loved the physical manifestations of 'their lives are falling apart' through the new house issues in the story.
I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, it felt a little underwhelming after the chaos of the whole story. But still it was a fun read if you're a fan of domestic thrillers!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Deliciously darkish and clever, in a style of writing that elevates this above the usual page turner. Successful divorce lawyer, Hailey, English Professor, Mack and their two adorable little daughters, have recently upgraded to a fancy house in a new lakeside development. But soon their enviable yet bordering-on beyond-their-means lifestyle will be threatened when one of Hailey's clients dumps her in a heap of trouble. A subsequent snowballing series of unfortunate events threatens to destroy their reputations, their marriage and their security. Who or what is the mysterious entity that has wormed its way into their apparently perfect life?
Could it be a long dead relative come back to life? Is it perhaps the disgruntled spouse of one of Hailey's wealthy clients, or does it have something to do with Mack's work conduct?
I was scratching my head until very close to the end, because the possible suspects and red herrings just kept piling up. Simultaneously my emotions veered between disgust, pity, exasperation, anxiety and empathy. I think it's because these characters are so well drawn and multifaceted, and oh so maddeningly imperfect and weirdly relatable.
A highly enjoyable rainy day read, which I hope will sell as well as it deserves to. Thank you to HarperCollins for the proof copy.
Could it be a long dead relative come back to life? Is it perhaps the disgruntled spouse of one of Hailey's wealthy clients, or does it have something to do with Mack's work conduct?
I was scratching my head until very close to the end, because the possible suspects and red herrings just kept piling up. Simultaneously my emotions veered between disgust, pity, exasperation, anxiety and empathy. I think it's because these characters are so well drawn and multifaceted, and oh so maddeningly imperfect and weirdly relatable.
A highly enjoyable rainy day read, which I hope will sell as well as it deserves to. Thank you to HarperCollins for the proof copy.
January 20, 2026
Holy days. There are physiological thrillers, then there are physiological thrillers with added suspense and this is definitely the latter!
The Blurb....
Mack and Hailey Evans are on the cusp of living the American Dream. Established careers, two beautiful children, and a new house on a coveted lakefront estate.
But modern life is expensive, so the anonymous payments they start to receive are spent before they know it. Could this money be from Mack's estranged father? Or one of Hailey's clients? Does it really matter?
Then they discover that this mysterious benefactor expects a return on their investment. How far will the couple have to go to pay them back?
As it turns out, the best things in life are not free. And the price is far steeper than they could have imagined …
Things keep going wrong for this couple and the story is told from 3 POV's.
Mark, Hailey's and a mysterious narrator who I highly doubt anyone would guess, I definitely never!!
The story has so much packed into it and you don't know who to root for. One bad mistake has a ripple effect on this family and I was on the edge of my seat reading this. Not sure I fancy going for my run today, without saying too much! 🫣
The chapters are short and the writing is brilliant.
I really enjoyed this one and know all you thriller fans will too!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Harper for the advance copy. Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott ultimately proved to be a bit of a letdown for me, despite a premise that initially piqued my interest.
The story follows Mack and Hailey Evans, a seemingly successful couple whose financial stress is quietly unraveling their upper-middle-class life. When mysterious checks from a company called Sunshine Enterprises start arriving (and growing larger each time), they make the fateful decision to keep the money, even as doubts creep in about where it’s coming from and what it might cost them.
While the setup is strong and the moral dilemma is compelling on paper, the book was slow to start, and I struggled to fully connect with the characters or feel the tension early on. The stakes eventually rise, and the consequences become clear, but by then the pacing and buildup hadn’t fully worked for me, which took away from the impact.
There are interesting ideas here about greed, entitlement, and the dark underside of the American dream, but overall, this didn’t deliver the propulsive thriller experience I was hoping for. A solid concept that may work better for readers who enjoy slower-burn suspense, but it didn’t quite come together for me.
The story follows Mack and Hailey Evans, a seemingly successful couple whose financial stress is quietly unraveling their upper-middle-class life. When mysterious checks from a company called Sunshine Enterprises start arriving (and growing larger each time), they make the fateful decision to keep the money, even as doubts creep in about where it’s coming from and what it might cost them.
While the setup is strong and the moral dilemma is compelling on paper, the book was slow to start, and I struggled to fully connect with the characters or feel the tension early on. The stakes eventually rise, and the consequences become clear, but by then the pacing and buildup hadn’t fully worked for me, which took away from the impact.
There are interesting ideas here about greed, entitlement, and the dark underside of the American dream, but overall, this didn’t deliver the propulsive thriller experience I was hoping for. A solid concept that may work better for readers who enjoy slower-burn suspense, but it didn’t quite come together for me.
August 22, 2025
Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott is a slow unraveling of the American Dream, with secrets lurking beneath the surface.
Lauren Schott’s debut is a quietly unsettling exploration of ambition, debt, and the cost of keeping up appearances. Mack and Hailey Evans seem to have it all—careers, children, a dream home on a lakefront estate. But when anonymous cheques start arriving, their picture-perfect life begins to warp. The money is easy to spend, harder to question. And soon, impossible to escape.
What I loved most was the slow-burn tension. Schott doesn’t rely on big twists or flashy drama—she lets the dread creep in through everyday choices, through the quiet compromises that feel harmless until they’re not. The writing is sharp and observant, with a touch of dark wit that makes the unraveling feel both intimate and inevitable.
This is a story about what we owe—to ourselves, to each other, and to the mysterious forces that promise help but demand something in return. It’s domestic noir with teeth, and it lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Lauren Schott, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Lauren Schott’s debut is a quietly unsettling exploration of ambition, debt, and the cost of keeping up appearances. Mack and Hailey Evans seem to have it all—careers, children, a dream home on a lakefront estate. But when anonymous cheques start arriving, their picture-perfect life begins to warp. The money is easy to spend, harder to question. And soon, impossible to escape.
What I loved most was the slow-burn tension. Schott doesn’t rely on big twists or flashy drama—she lets the dread creep in through everyday choices, through the quiet compromises that feel harmless until they’re not. The writing is sharp and observant, with a touch of dark wit that makes the unraveling feel both intimate and inevitable.
This is a story about what we owe—to ourselves, to each other, and to the mysterious forces that promise help but demand something in return. It’s domestic noir with teeth, and it lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Lauren Schott, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
January 20, 2026
Very Slowly All At Once was a book of two halves for me.
Mack and Hayley Evans have their perfect home with their two young daughters. Hayley is a lawyer and Mack is a college English professor. Work becomes harder for the both of them for different reasons and money becomes tight. Cheques appear in the post and they have no idea who Sunshine Enterprises are but they both have their own theories. After cashing in a couple of cheques demands are made pushing the couple further apart. Can they find out who is behind this enterprise before it’s too late and they are pushed to do something they will regret?
This was a slow read for me and I didn’t like any of the characters. The storyline was good but the ending left me with questions, yes I know some people like that but there were too many for me to push past. The writing is good and was really good at portraying the sense of doom creeping up on the couple in increments. It is a tense read at times and I didn’t guess who Sunshine Enterprises were. The title of the book was very befitting.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Mack and Hayley Evans have their perfect home with their two young daughters. Hayley is a lawyer and Mack is a college English professor. Work becomes harder for the both of them for different reasons and money becomes tight. Cheques appear in the post and they have no idea who Sunshine Enterprises are but they both have their own theories. After cashing in a couple of cheques demands are made pushing the couple further apart. Can they find out who is behind this enterprise before it’s too late and they are pushed to do something they will regret?
This was a slow read for me and I didn’t like any of the characters. The storyline was good but the ending left me with questions, yes I know some people like that but there were too many for me to push past. The writing is good and was really good at portraying the sense of doom creeping up on the couple in increments. It is a tense read at times and I didn’t guess who Sunshine Enterprises were. The title of the book was very befitting.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
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