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The Beast You Let In
Everyone in the rural town of Ashling knows the tale of Veronica Green, a teen who was murdered in the woods. But did a party trick bring her back to claim her revenge? A fast-paced, suspenseful YA horror from the author of Summer's Edge and People Like Us.
There is no one Hazel trusts less than her self-centered twin, Beth. Like when Beth storms out of a party, abandoning Hazel when she didn't want to attend in the first place. Rather than chasing after her, Hazel throws herself into flirting and telling ghost stories over a Ouija board. She might not be the popular twin, but she can be fun too.
Except Beth doesn't come home that night, and Hazel's anger morphs into anxiety. It only sharpens when Beth reappears a day later, disoriented and claiming to be Veronica Green, a teen who was murdered in their small town years before. If it isn't a possession, Beth is really good at faking it. Did they accidentally release a vengeful horror during the party?
Hazel must uncover what happened to Veronica all those years ago if she's going to save Beth. But the truth may destroy them both—if they don't destroy each other first.
There is no one Hazel trusts less than her self-centered twin, Beth. Like when Beth storms out of a party, abandoning Hazel when she didn't want to attend in the first place. Rather than chasing after her, Hazel throws herself into flirting and telling ghost stories over a Ouija board. She might not be the popular twin, but she can be fun too.
Except Beth doesn't come home that night, and Hazel's anger morphs into anxiety. It only sharpens when Beth reappears a day later, disoriented and claiming to be Veronica Green, a teen who was murdered in their small town years before. If it isn't a possession, Beth is really good at faking it. Did they accidentally release a vengeful horror during the party?
Hazel must uncover what happened to Veronica all those years ago if she's going to save Beth. But the truth may destroy them both—if they don't destroy each other first.
302 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2026
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May 1, 2026I like what this book is doing, but I feel like the ending was rushed and didn't have the impact it might have. The Beast You Let In is a YA horror/thriller novel about a closeted queer girl whose teen sister is apparently being possessed by the ghost of a girl who died years ago in their town. It's weird and creepy and interesting with something to say about protecting queer and trans youth. But again, the ending felt rushed and maybe a little too easy. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
September 10, 2025
Dana Mele's unreliable narrators make me want to write essays, and I mean that in the best possible way. Hazel and Beth have been trying to unravel the mystery of Veronica Green, but the REAL mystery is what the hell is going on in the heads of their loved ones, and they're each missing pieces of the truth they haven't even thought to look for. As in Summer's Edge (which you should ALSO totally read if you haven't already), changing perspectives changes EVERYTHING.
What makes this book so gripping and scary isn't just the supernatural rabbit hole opening under the narrators' feet--it's the insight into the terrifying reality that other people are fundamentally unknowable, no matter how much we love them. But there are grounds for hope, too, in their fierce determination to reach each other across that gulf anyway, despite all their hurts and secrets and resentments and their increasingly hostile small-town environment.
This is compelling, thoughtful, timely horror, not to mention a hell of a ride. SMASH THAT PREORDER BUTTON.
What makes this book so gripping and scary isn't just the supernatural rabbit hole opening under the narrators' feet--it's the insight into the terrifying reality that other people are fundamentally unknowable, no matter how much we love them. But there are grounds for hope, too, in their fierce determination to reach each other across that gulf anyway, despite all their hurts and secrets and resentments and their increasingly hostile small-town environment.
This is compelling, thoughtful, timely horror, not to mention a hell of a ride. SMASH THAT PREORDER BUTTON.
January 24, 2026
"Ghosts are never gone, they just get better at hiding."
My love of releases by Sourcefire Books is immense. I know that I’m going to get a twisted thriller with a lot of things that go bump in the night. I cannot ask for anything better. I’m always on the lookout for new releases and snatch them up as soon as I spot one.
It comes with great sadness that this one didn’t do it for me. The idea was there and sounded really good but the execution didn’t quite get there. Parts were intriguing and some of the charters were definitely out there but combined with other parts, I just never got fully invested.
There was a lot of repetition, I felt as if I was reliving the same pages over and over again. That’s definitely a turn-off for me. The big reveal wasn’t shocking at all and I spotted that from the beginning. If you pay just a little bit of attention then this one is a no brainer.
Another thing I couldn’t get over was one of the characters names was Jack Sawyer. It was awfully similar to a Family Guy character. You know, Stewie Griffins HS alter ego. "My name is Zac Sawyer. I just transferred here from Rich Expensive Car-Driving Sex-Having High School." That was very distracting.
What I did love was the bees. Every single part with them especially at the end was truly disturbing. That’s what I love about these kinds of books, it brings light to darkness and makes it terrifying.
While, ‘The Beast You Let In’ wasn’t for me, I can see a lot of people enjoying this book. There were aspects of this that readers will love. I think I read too much and that was this books downfall. It wasn’t unique enough.
My love of releases by Sourcefire Books is immense. I know that I’m going to get a twisted thriller with a lot of things that go bump in the night. I cannot ask for anything better. I’m always on the lookout for new releases and snatch them up as soon as I spot one.
It comes with great sadness that this one didn’t do it for me. The idea was there and sounded really good but the execution didn’t quite get there. Parts were intriguing and some of the charters were definitely out there but combined with other parts, I just never got fully invested.
There was a lot of repetition, I felt as if I was reliving the same pages over and over again. That’s definitely a turn-off for me. The big reveal wasn’t shocking at all and I spotted that from the beginning. If you pay just a little bit of attention then this one is a no brainer.
Another thing I couldn’t get over was one of the characters names was Jack Sawyer. It was awfully similar to a Family Guy character. You know, Stewie Griffins HS alter ego. "My name is Zac Sawyer. I just transferred here from Rich Expensive Car-Driving Sex-Having High School." That was very distracting.
What I did love was the bees. Every single part with them especially at the end was truly disturbing. That’s what I love about these kinds of books, it brings light to darkness and makes it terrifying.
While, ‘The Beast You Let In’ wasn’t for me, I can see a lot of people enjoying this book. There were aspects of this that readers will love. I think I read too much and that was this books downfall. It wasn’t unique enough.
November 13, 2025
This was such a great book! There is family drama, horror, BODY HORROR, Psychological Thrills, LGBTQA+ , suspense, & paranormal elements in "The Beast You Let In". I was not expecting the twist that came with this one! I am still in complete shock! The darkness in this book doesn't just come from "the bad guy"! This book literally had me on the edge of my seat, I read it within just a few hours! I absolutely had to find out MORE! Go ahead, take this book for a spin! You will not regret it!!
*I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
*I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
April 28, 2026
* I’ve received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I really wanted to like The Beast You Let In, because the premise had so much potential. A story centered around possession isn’t something you come across that often, and it could have been genuinely unsettling and compelling.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.
The biggest issue was the writing itself. The prose often felt overwritten and disjointed, jumping from one idea to another without any natural flow. Many passages came across as if they were trying very hard to sound deep or philosophical, but instead felt more like a collection of loosely connected thoughts. On top of that, the writing relied heavily on repetition for emphasis, which quickly became distracting rather than impactful.
There were also frequent tangents that pulled me out of the story entirely. Important moments would be interrupted by unrelated or poorly integrated themes, breaking the tension and making it difficult to stay immersed. While some of these topics could have added depth, they didn’t feel organically woven into the narrative.
Character work didn’t help either. The characters felt flat, and their dialogue often lacked natural rhythm, making interactions feel forced. I never felt truly connected to them, which made it harder to care about what was happening.
At times, the book also struggled with internal logic and consistency. Certain plot points and character details didn’t quite add up, and some physical limitations established earlier were seemingly forgotten when it became convenient for the story.
The pacing didn’t do the book any favors either. The story felt unnecessarily stretched, especially toward the end, where it seemed to drag on without adding anything new. With tighter editing, this could have been a much stronger and more effective read.
In the end, this is one of those books where the idea is far better than the execution. I kept hoping it would come together, but unfortunately, it never quite did.
I really wanted to like The Beast You Let In, because the premise had so much potential. A story centered around possession isn’t something you come across that often, and it could have been genuinely unsettling and compelling.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.
The biggest issue was the writing itself. The prose often felt overwritten and disjointed, jumping from one idea to another without any natural flow. Many passages came across as if they were trying very hard to sound deep or philosophical, but instead felt more like a collection of loosely connected thoughts. On top of that, the writing relied heavily on repetition for emphasis, which quickly became distracting rather than impactful.
There were also frequent tangents that pulled me out of the story entirely. Important moments would be interrupted by unrelated or poorly integrated themes, breaking the tension and making it difficult to stay immersed. While some of these topics could have added depth, they didn’t feel organically woven into the narrative.
Character work didn’t help either. The characters felt flat, and their dialogue often lacked natural rhythm, making interactions feel forced. I never felt truly connected to them, which made it harder to care about what was happening.
At times, the book also struggled with internal logic and consistency. Certain plot points and character details didn’t quite add up, and some physical limitations established earlier were seemingly forgotten when it became convenient for the story.
The pacing didn’t do the book any favors either. The story felt unnecessarily stretched, especially toward the end, where it seemed to drag on without adding anything new. With tighter editing, this could have been a much stronger and more effective read.
In the end, this is one of those books where the idea is far better than the execution. I kept hoping it would come together, but unfortunately, it never quite did.
April 14, 2026
You know what, usually I don’t like books that heavily reference current events, but I’ve decided that I really liked this one! This book is so important for so many people, especially right now in this political climate. It took me a minute to get into it because the pacing starts off a little on the slow side, but the plot is super interesting once it picks up. The twists and turns, and the unreliable narrators had me hooked by the end of it. I don’t want to say too much at the risk of spoiling anything because it really was a tumultuous ride, but big kiss to NetGalley for the early access !
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! That escalated quickly.
This was like watching a low-budget, made-for-tv horror flick, but ended up being surprisingly good.
I enjoyed the unreliable characters and the twist with sisters. I highly enjoyed the creepy parts like the closet scene and the bees. And the true demon that was summoned.. we all need a 'loyal guardian'. 😉 IYKYK!
I highlighted many passages. Here are a couple of my favorites:
"Families don't define you, but I think you are who you are because of what you're surrounded by or actively resist."
"I want them to know the call is coming from inside the fucking house."
"Ghosts are never gone, they just get better at hiding."
This was my first book by Dana Mele & Sourcebooks fire but it definitely will not be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Souceboks fire for the eARC of The Beast You Let In.
I recommend this book if you enjoy reading horror, body horror, possessions, myths, or scary stories in general.
This was like watching a low-budget, made-for-tv horror flick, but ended up being surprisingly good.
I enjoyed the unreliable characters and the twist with sisters. I highly enjoyed the creepy parts like the closet scene and the bees. And the true demon that was summoned.. we all need a 'loyal guardian'. 😉 IYKYK!
I highlighted many passages. Here are a couple of my favorites:
"Families don't define you, but I think you are who you are because of what you're surrounded by or actively resist."
"I want them to know the call is coming from inside the fucking house."
"Ghosts are never gone, they just get better at hiding."
This was my first book by Dana Mele & Sourcebooks fire but it definitely will not be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Souceboks fire for the eARC of The Beast You Let In.
I recommend this book if you enjoy reading horror, body horror, possessions, myths, or scary stories in general.
April 14, 2026
A three star read I will still be thinking about regardless of its issues and clichés, although that is in no small part due to an incredibly engaging audiobook narrated by Dani Martineck and Elena Rey (although the latter will always be Briar Marriel in my mind)! The only issues I can think of with the format were that I am an adamant hater of when narrators faux yell into the mic (which was a Beth-specific issue with the later chapters), and some of the male voices were a little off, if they were not indistinguishable. Other than that, if you want to hear these two take turns performing as a poltergeist, a chapter that’s just a minute of uninterrupted growling, and a bunch of vengefulness and torment… I recommend checking this out! :) 🎧
If you are able to get past a frustratingly predictable twist that I only avoided seeing because I really did not want it to be a thing, and the entire first half of the book does not seem like a convoluted mess in retrospect, then the rest of it is a lovably campy and tense omage to old-school horror— especially slashers. Littered with needle drops and 80’s-adjacent nostalgia, several very descriptive (and oftentimes gory) scenes wouldn’t be out of place in an actual film. Even if some of the characters have obvious plot armor, there were some solidly thrilling parts I enjoyed listening to. (I would pay money for an adaptation just to see the chase in the roller rink/arcade hybrid actually set to “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”… chat, I have a solid visual in my head, trust me on this one. The other details, like the actual layout of the plot, could be figured out later🤫)
However, beyond the horror elements actually being creepy, good queer rep, and some genuinely hilarious dialogue that mostly avoided feeling out of place, this was lacking in the… everything else. As much as I enjoy Hazel being an unreliable narrator (I think it’s the only smart thing about That Twist), the characterization of the sibling bond was wobbly. Part of that had to do with both twins having their own issues and kind of being unwilling to see how they can hurt the other, of course, but the other half was not really knowing how to strike a balance between profoundly understanding the other and wanting to connect with them in some deep-rooted survival way, and being somewhat distant. While I think Ezra is given a little bit of depth, especially in Beth’s POV, I was left feeling disconnected from the cast due to their one-dimensional personalities. Even though there is a sizable amount of mystery surrounding Veronica’s death, and the rabbit hole it leads to is engrossing, there was so much repetition with both the kids and the adults’ parts in it that I was left mildly annoyed. Point is, even though the sibling relationship was easily the heart of the story, and it was complicated, I don’t know how to feel about it. However, it’s the only bit of complexity and nuance.
Also, everyone is unintelligent enough times that I debated lowering my rating. Why is the first instinct to split up? Why does Hazel never listen to Possessed Beth’s demands, even when it seems foolish for her safety not to?? A random livestream can be used to “broadcast to the whole world”?? Am I genuinely supposed to buy that explanation at the end as to how the teens avoided legal troubles?! There’s also the Stranger Things issue of one character somehow being able to connect the dots based on a seemingly random assortment of things, and create a theory that’s correct on the first try. The mystery’s pacing is weird.
Anyhow. I wouldn’t recommend this, but I can understand why someone might, and it was a nice popcorn read. It left me feeling similarly to when I read The Lilies by Quinn Deacon-Furtado. I’m not sure how to feel about that.
If you are able to get past a frustratingly predictable twist that I only avoided seeing because I really did not want it to be a thing, and the entire first half of the book does not seem like a convoluted mess in retrospect, then the rest of it is a lovably campy and tense omage to old-school horror— especially slashers. Littered with needle drops and 80’s-adjacent nostalgia, several very descriptive (and oftentimes gory) scenes wouldn’t be out of place in an actual film. Even if some of the characters have obvious plot armor, there were some solidly thrilling parts I enjoyed listening to. (I would pay money for an adaptation just to see the chase in the roller rink/arcade hybrid actually set to “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”… chat, I have a solid visual in my head, trust me on this one. The other details, like the actual layout of the plot, could be figured out later🤫)
However, beyond the horror elements actually being creepy, good queer rep, and some genuinely hilarious dialogue that mostly avoided feeling out of place, this was lacking in the… everything else. As much as I enjoy Hazel being an unreliable narrator (I think it’s the only smart thing about That Twist), the characterization of the sibling bond was wobbly. Part of that had to do with both twins having their own issues and kind of being unwilling to see how they can hurt the other, of course, but the other half was not really knowing how to strike a balance between profoundly understanding the other and wanting to connect with them in some deep-rooted survival way, and being somewhat distant. While I think Ezra is given a little bit of depth, especially in Beth’s POV, I was left feeling disconnected from the cast due to their one-dimensional personalities. Even though there is a sizable amount of mystery surrounding Veronica’s death, and the rabbit hole it leads to is engrossing, there was so much repetition with both the kids and the adults’ parts in it that I was left mildly annoyed. Point is, even though the sibling relationship was easily the heart of the story, and it was complicated, I don’t know how to feel about it. However, it’s the only bit of complexity and nuance.
Also, everyone is unintelligent enough times that I debated lowering my rating. Why is the first instinct to split up? Why does Hazel never listen to Possessed Beth’s demands, even when it seems foolish for her safety not to?? A random livestream can be used to “broadcast to the whole world”?? Am I genuinely supposed to buy that explanation at the end as to how the teens avoided legal troubles?! There’s also the Stranger Things issue of one character somehow being able to connect the dots based on a seemingly random assortment of things, and create a theory that’s correct on the first try. The mystery’s pacing is weird.
Anyhow. I wouldn’t recommend this, but I can understand why someone might, and it was a nice popcorn read. It left me feeling similarly to when I read The Lilies by Quinn Deacon-Furtado. I’m not sure how to feel about that.
April 8, 2026
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a fantastic month for YA horror reads and what a fantastic entry into the genre! Full of small town secrets, revenge and demonic?/ghost?/something else? possession? All set against an jntentionally current background of small-mindedness and bigotry.
Told in dual POV which alternates between twins Beth (the more stereotypical popular girl) and outcast Hazel (the loner who doesn’t connect with anyone deeply, who is closeted and scared and so very self contained), we investigate the murder of a teen girl twenty years earlier. A teen girl that knew all of their parents and families. A teen girl who may be back looking for revenge. And she might be possessing Beth. Or Hazel.
This was a fast paced mystery horror delight. It doesn’t shy away from the gruesome, but it’s not gratuitous. The world is richly built and the small town NY state isolated mountain town provides the perfect backdrop for the hate crime that occurred here, and for the bigotry and homophobia that are still happening.
There’s a delightful cast of side characters that join the twins. Personal favorites are Phoebe, with her Victorian gothic aesthetic and Ezra, who presents as a typical high school dudebro but is really so much more.
Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a fantastic month for YA horror reads and what a fantastic entry into the genre! Full of small town secrets, revenge and demonic?/ghost?/something else? possession? All set against an jntentionally current background of small-mindedness and bigotry.
Told in dual POV which alternates between twins Beth (the more stereotypical popular girl) and outcast Hazel (the loner who doesn’t connect with anyone deeply, who is closeted and scared and so very self contained), we investigate the murder of a teen girl twenty years earlier. A teen girl that knew all of their parents and families. A teen girl who may be back looking for revenge. And she might be possessing Beth. Or Hazel.
This was a fast paced mystery horror delight. It doesn’t shy away from the gruesome, but it’s not gratuitous. The world is richly built and the small town NY state isolated mountain town provides the perfect backdrop for the hate crime that occurred here, and for the bigotry and homophobia that are still happening.
There’s a delightful cast of side characters that join the twins. Personal favorites are Phoebe, with her Victorian gothic aesthetic and Ezra, who presents as a typical high school dudebro but is really so much more.
Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
December 10, 2025
A YA Horror set in a small N.Y. town with a dirty little secret, a possession, and the younger generations feeling the pressure of the older generations bias against the lgbtq+ community and autism. The representation for autism and lgbtq+ is truly the star of the story, as the raw frustration and emotions of the main characters shined through the author’s writing.
The characters were very well developed, and I loved the unreliable narration between the twin sisters Hazel and Beth, as it felt extremely real given they are teenagers in highschool and what they were going through in a small town.
The plot however felt clunky to me, almost like the author was trying to add too many elements into the story so some of it ended up taking away from the overall story. Still really enjoyed it though, and some of those scenes were incredibly spooky!
The characters were very well developed, and I loved the unreliable narration between the twin sisters Hazel and Beth, as it felt extremely real given they are teenagers in highschool and what they were going through in a small town.
The plot however felt clunky to me, almost like the author was trying to add too many elements into the story so some of it ended up taking away from the overall story. Still really enjoyed it though, and some of those scenes were incredibly spooky!
April 9, 2026
thanks so much to netgalley & sourcebook fire for this ARC!
publication date: april 7, 2026 👧 OUT NOW!!
review coming soon 💕
publication date: april 7, 2026 👧 OUT NOW!!
review coming soon 💕
November 24, 2025
This was a fun YA horror to read. There is possession, murder, family drama, and a small town with a lot of secrets to hide. The plot was great, but I do wish there had been a bit more character development. Hazel and her sister Beth were very different people and it was interesting to see how that played out in their family and the story as a whole.
The possession aspect of the story was creepy and definitely kept me on my toes! I won’t go into that too much! I don’t want to spoil anything.
I thought this book had great queer representation. Everything about the small town of Ashling felt very oppressive and I really felt for Hazel and her “friends.” I think a lot of young readers will probably be able to relate to some aspects of that part of the story.
Overall, this was a fun, engaging YA horror. I enjoyed the possession and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The possession aspect of the story was creepy and definitely kept me on my toes! I won’t go into that too much! I don’t want to spoil anything.
I thought this book had great queer representation. Everything about the small town of Ashling felt very oppressive and I really felt for Hazel and her “friends.” I think a lot of young readers will probably be able to relate to some aspects of that part of the story.
Overall, this was a fun, engaging YA horror. I enjoyed the possession and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
November 17, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and sourcebooks fire for this ARC!
First half of this book had promise, but fell short of my expectations. Wasn’t a bad book, just wasn’t what I expected when I went into. Loved the horror elements to the story and I was curious to see how it all played out. Just was let down in the second half. There were parts of the story that I felt weren’t needed and could have been left out of the story. But overall it was an entertaining read, just not as mind blowing as I had hoped.
First half of this book had promise, but fell short of my expectations. Wasn’t a bad book, just wasn’t what I expected when I went into. Loved the horror elements to the story and I was curious to see how it all played out. Just was let down in the second half. There were parts of the story that I felt weren’t needed and could have been left out of the story. But overall it was an entertaining read, just not as mind blowing as I had hoped.
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November 19, 2025Damn, this book is so good. The way it showcases the different sides of autism, as well as queerness, was incredible. Plus, it does so in the way of a small town that isn't safe, that keeps secrets, and forces the worst out of people. It holds a lot of anger, but it also holds a lot of love, because it is possible to work for change.
November 12, 2025
4.5
As soon as I downloaded this one I immediately read it!
The description sounded right up my alley and I absolutely get Jennifer body’s vibes which count me in! We get to see the relationship of sisters Beth and hazel and along the way solve the murder of a teen! We also get to read about acceptance and how small town minds can have prejudices and try to make you into something you’re not
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
As soon as I downloaded this one I immediately read it!
The description sounded right up my alley and I absolutely get Jennifer body’s vibes which count me in! We get to see the relationship of sisters Beth and hazel and along the way solve the murder of a teen! We also get to read about acceptance and how small town minds can have prejudices and try to make you into something you’re not
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
March 30, 2026
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I was unsure at first about this book. For one thing I’d just finished another YA murder mystery, and I don’t read those that much. I also think the diary entries of the “ghost” murdered girl from before were a little off for me. However the book had some twists and turns as it went along that kept me guessing and needing to know how things actually happened in the past and who was responsible. This had some supernatural aspects to it, even if at first, it was kind of considered that it was being faked.
I think another reason at first I had trouble was some dislike of the characters. As the first lines say, Beth is a liar. And the way she treats her sister Hazel, who it is obvious is different in this small town and trying to get by, makes it hard to like her for quite a while. Especially as we get that beginning of the story from Hazel’s POV. When we find out what Beth did and said on the night Hazel had planned to come out to her parents, it is really hard to think of her twin sister as an ally or on her side.
But then we get Beth’s POV, and we see that night from a different side. We also see that maybe Hazel hasn’t always been that nice either. Obviously when you are getting one person’s POV, they are the “hero” of their own story, so it makes the others look like villains or the problems. Beth has her own issues and she knows that their parents will not accept Hazel if she comes out. So in her own way she is trying to protect her. And the reasons for Beth doing this have to do with when she really talks to a newer student, Jack, and also Phoebe, and she finds out more about the urban legend story of Veronica, and that she was a real person, and that the small town where they live are the bad guys. Obviously it includes some of the most “upstanding” and leaders of the community: parents, teachers/principals, law officers, religious leaders, etc.
It is creepy what is happening to Beth, and then, when Hazel goes off to try to recreate the ritual that Veronica used, and that she thinks Beth used to become possessed herself, things go off the rail. Now we really seem to have some supernatural things going on that can’t be denied. And now there are some real deaths. I liked how the characters used some pop culture references, like comparing Freddy Krueger to Jason and Michael Myers, and the heartbreak of the movie My Girl.
I think the LGBTQ+ representation in this was done very well, and some good points were brought up and woven through the story, as the author mentions in her notes before and after the story. It also had some extremely creepy/horrific moments for anyone who is reading for the scary stuff. So while it took me a minute to be sure I wanted to read it, in the end I’m glad I did with all the scares and even the emotional aspects to the book.This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
I think another reason at first I had trouble was some dislike of the characters. As the first lines say, Beth is a liar. And the way she treats her sister Hazel, who it is obvious is different in this small town and trying to get by, makes it hard to like her for quite a while. Especially as we get that beginning of the story from Hazel’s POV. When we find out what Beth did and said on the night Hazel had planned to come out to her parents, it is really hard to think of her twin sister as an ally or on her side.
But then we get Beth’s POV, and we see that night from a different side. We also see that maybe Hazel hasn’t always been that nice either. Obviously when you are getting one person’s POV, they are the “hero” of their own story, so it makes the others look like villains or the problems. Beth has her own issues and she knows that their parents will not accept Hazel if she comes out. So in her own way she is trying to protect her. And the reasons for Beth doing this have to do with when she really talks to a newer student, Jack, and also Phoebe, and she finds out more about the urban legend story of Veronica, and that she was a real person, and that the small town where they live are the bad guys. Obviously it includes some of the most “upstanding” and leaders of the community: parents, teachers/principals, law officers, religious leaders, etc.
It is creepy what is happening to Beth, and then, when Hazel goes off to try to recreate the ritual that Veronica used, and that she thinks Beth used to become possessed herself, things go off the rail. Now we really seem to have some supernatural things going on that can’t be denied. And now there are some real deaths. I liked how the characters used some pop culture references, like comparing Freddy Krueger to Jason and Michael Myers, and the heartbreak of the movie My Girl.
I think the LGBTQ+ representation in this was done very well, and some good points were brought up and woven through the story, as the author mentions in her notes before and after the story. It also had some extremely creepy/horrific moments for anyone who is reading for the scary stuff. So while it took me a minute to be sure I wanted to read it, in the end I’m glad I did with all the scares and even the emotional aspects to the book.This review was originally posted on Lisa Loves Literature
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“The Beast You Let In” by Dana Mele is a YA psychological horror that thrives on atmosphere and the weight of small-town secrets. Plus, this book has an unreliable narrator, which is a trope I absolutely love. Mele crafts a story where the real horror isn’t just possession or murder; it’s prejudice, silence, and the way trauma warps both memory and identity.
Set in a small New York town with a long, ugly history, the story centers on twin sisters Hazel and Beth, whose alternating perspectives create a fractured, unreliable narrative that feels painfully authentic. As teenagers navigating high school, grief, and a community that refuses to accept difference, their voices clash and overlap in ways that constantly keep you questioning what’s real, what’s remembered, and what’s being suppressed. The twins’ relationship is one of the book’s greatest strengths; it’s messy, emotional, and charged with love, resentment, and misunderstanding. I thought their relationship felt very realistic and those with siblings (especially twins) will definitely relate to these characters.
At the heart of the story is a town that protects its own worst instincts. Older generations cling to bias and tradition, particularly toward queer and autistic people, and that pressure bears down hard on the younger characters. The autism and LGBTQ+ representation is handled with raw honesty and frustration, capturing both the exhaustion of being misunderstood and the anger that comes from being told, whether explicitly or implicitly, that you are the problem. These elements aren’t background details; they are central to the horror, shaping the characters’ fear, guilt, and isolation.
The plot combines possession and psychological unraveling, often blurring the line between supernatural threat and internalized trauma. At times, the story feels crowded, as if too many ideas are competing for space, which can make the story feel clunky in places. Still, Mele’s sharp, cinematic writing carries the book through those moments, delivering scenes that are genuinely creepy and emotionally charged. Ordinary settings like empty rooms, tense hallways, familiar faces feel loaded with dread, as though something terrible is always just out of sight.
What truly elevates “The Beast You Let In” is its exploration of gaslighting, both external and internal. The story asks who gets believed, who gets labeled dangerous, and how fear can turn victims into scapegoats. It’s a story filled with rage, but also with love, especially the kind that pushes back against a town determined to stay the same.
Overall, “The Beast You Let In” is a haunting exploration of trauma, queerness, neurodivergence, and the monsters communities create when they refuse to confront their own sins. This book is perfect for readers who love unreliable narrators, small-town horror, and stories where the scariest beast is the one people pretend doesn’t exist.
“The Beast You Let In” by Dana Mele is a YA psychological horror that thrives on atmosphere and the weight of small-town secrets. Plus, this book has an unreliable narrator, which is a trope I absolutely love. Mele crafts a story where the real horror isn’t just possession or murder; it’s prejudice, silence, and the way trauma warps both memory and identity.
Set in a small New York town with a long, ugly history, the story centers on twin sisters Hazel and Beth, whose alternating perspectives create a fractured, unreliable narrative that feels painfully authentic. As teenagers navigating high school, grief, and a community that refuses to accept difference, their voices clash and overlap in ways that constantly keep you questioning what’s real, what’s remembered, and what’s being suppressed. The twins’ relationship is one of the book’s greatest strengths; it’s messy, emotional, and charged with love, resentment, and misunderstanding. I thought their relationship felt very realistic and those with siblings (especially twins) will definitely relate to these characters.
At the heart of the story is a town that protects its own worst instincts. Older generations cling to bias and tradition, particularly toward queer and autistic people, and that pressure bears down hard on the younger characters. The autism and LGBTQ+ representation is handled with raw honesty and frustration, capturing both the exhaustion of being misunderstood and the anger that comes from being told, whether explicitly or implicitly, that you are the problem. These elements aren’t background details; they are central to the horror, shaping the characters’ fear, guilt, and isolation.
The plot combines possession and psychological unraveling, often blurring the line between supernatural threat and internalized trauma. At times, the story feels crowded, as if too many ideas are competing for space, which can make the story feel clunky in places. Still, Mele’s sharp, cinematic writing carries the book through those moments, delivering scenes that are genuinely creepy and emotionally charged. Ordinary settings like empty rooms, tense hallways, familiar faces feel loaded with dread, as though something terrible is always just out of sight.
What truly elevates “The Beast You Let In” is its exploration of gaslighting, both external and internal. The story asks who gets believed, who gets labeled dangerous, and how fear can turn victims into scapegoats. It’s a story filled with rage, but also with love, especially the kind that pushes back against a town determined to stay the same.
Overall, “The Beast You Let In” is a haunting exploration of trauma, queerness, neurodivergence, and the monsters communities create when they refuse to confront their own sins. This book is perfect for readers who love unreliable narrators, small-town horror, and stories where the scariest beast is the one people pretend doesn’t exist.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I liked this a lot! It starts as a supernatural mystery based around the death of a woman 30 years prior, sneaks in some good queer and trans rep (which was a surprise to me!) (complimentary) as the puzzle pieces come together, and it ends fairly well, if a bit shaky.
This book made me realise that I like reading YA when the characters act their age. They're teenagers and act like it, externally and internally. I liked the characters themselves although I wish I had felt the connection between the two MCs more. Some of the conflicts with her sister and others seemed contrived on Hazel's side. I wanted more depth to Hazel's character, especially towards the end.
The plot in this moves FAST which I enjoyed. This book does *not* move at a snails pace like some mysteries tend to do and it was refreshing. I got to the 50% mark and didn't know what to expect next because, in other novels, the book would be over at this point.
It's set in a small and seemingly isolated town/suburb in New York, USA but I'm not sure if it's our timeline. There are certain events that are commented on in the book that made me think it was in our timeline (or a less supernaturally cynical version of it) but the ending made me question that assumption. The setting does feel detached from the rest of the world with a dash of the slice-of-life this-small-town-is-f*cked-up subgenre thrown in there. It has 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' merged with 'Scream' vibes and a supernatural twist. The characters do reference horror movie tropes quite a bit which I enjoyed.
I take issue with one part of the ending which glossed over some of the events that happened. I wish the ending was stronger and had the courage of its convictions like it did for the first three-quarters of the book. I can't help feeling a little unsatisfied and I wish the ending had more ripple effects on the world they're in or more effect on the characters.
I have more than a few questions about the end that I'd like to hide under a spoiler tag but apparently they don't work on this site anymore. I believe they work on Storygraph so check out my review there if you're interested.
That said, I did enjoy the ride. It had twists and turns I didn't expect (although I did predict a couple) and I absolutely devoured this book. I had a hard time putting it down last night so I could sleep and I stayed up a while pondering the possibilities. It's almost like I fell into the town via my e-reader, I was so engrossed. This book had me hooked by the first sentence and that's not an exaggeration.
I'd recommend this to YA and non YA fans, murder mystery fans and/or anyone looking for good LGBTQ rep in those genres. I wouldn't describe this book as horror specifically but I also don't think it's just a thriller either. It sits between the two with elements of both.
Thank you to Dana Mele, Sourcebooks, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are posted voluntarily.
This book made me realise that I like reading YA when the characters act their age. They're teenagers and act like it, externally and internally. I liked the characters themselves although I wish I had felt the connection between the two MCs more. Some of the conflicts with her sister and others seemed contrived on Hazel's side. I wanted more depth to Hazel's character, especially towards the end.
The plot in this moves FAST which I enjoyed. This book does *not* move at a snails pace like some mysteries tend to do and it was refreshing. I got to the 50% mark and didn't know what to expect next because, in other novels, the book would be over at this point.
It's set in a small and seemingly isolated town/suburb in New York, USA but I'm not sure if it's our timeline. There are certain events that are commented on in the book that made me think it was in our timeline (or a less supernaturally cynical version of it) but the ending made me question that assumption. The setting does feel detached from the rest of the world with a dash of the slice-of-life this-small-town-is-f*cked-up subgenre thrown in there. It has 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' merged with 'Scream' vibes and a supernatural twist. The characters do reference horror movie tropes quite a bit which I enjoyed.
I take issue with one part of the ending which glossed over some of the events that happened. I wish the ending was stronger and had the courage of its convictions like it did for the first three-quarters of the book. I can't help feeling a little unsatisfied and I wish the ending had more ripple effects on the world they're in or more effect on the characters.
I have more than a few questions about the end that I'd like to hide under a spoiler tag but apparently they don't work on this site anymore. I believe they work on Storygraph so check out my review there if you're interested.
That said, I did enjoy the ride. It had twists and turns I didn't expect (although I did predict a couple) and I absolutely devoured this book. I had a hard time putting it down last night so I could sleep and I stayed up a while pondering the possibilities. It's almost like I fell into the town via my e-reader, I was so engrossed. This book had me hooked by the first sentence and that's not an exaggeration.
I'd recommend this to YA and non YA fans, murder mystery fans and/or anyone looking for good LGBTQ rep in those genres. I wouldn't describe this book as horror specifically but I also don't think it's just a thriller either. It sits between the two with elements of both.
Thank you to Dana Mele, Sourcebooks, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are posted voluntarily.
eng-471
March 12, 2026The Beast You Let In by Dana Mele is a dark YA thriller that uses two points of view throughout the novel— twin sisters, Hazel and Beth. The story centers on a tightly knit group of high school friends whose loyalty to one another begins to crack under the pressure of secrets and manipulation. The two twin sisters live very different lives, even though they live under the same roof, and both their lives drastically change after a party that goes wrong. Beth, who used to be a popular girl amongst their grade, had suddenly entered a different phase of life; different makeup, clothing, and friends. The cause of all this chaos was the unsolved murder of a girl around their age that happened twenty years ago, which many teenagers had become obsessed with. From possible possessions to accusing family members of murder, rumors spread, and alliances start to shift; the characters are forced to confront the darker sides of not only themselves but the people they trust most. Each member of the high school group brings their own motivations and insecurities to the table, some desperate for control, others for approval; these emotional pressures push the story forward while shoving the readers into many unpredictable plot twists. The unreliable narration between the sisters forces the readers to try to decipher what is truly going on while attempting to piece things together. The plot focuses less on a single mystery that the group is trying to solve and more on the psychological unraveling of relationships, showing how quickly loyalty can transform into rivalry when fear and reputation are involved, until you find out the truth.
What really stood out to me in this book was how brutally honest it feels about teenage friendships and the intensity that can come with them as rumors start to spread. Dana Mele writes characters who are messy and flawed, but I appreciated the realism. I felt like I was right there trying to figure out what happened alongside the characters. I also appreciated that Mele added LGPTQ characters to this story— it was nice to read a book that was aimed towards teenagers that included this, so that people in that community felt seen. The story thrives on emotional conflict and the slow build of unease rather than constant action, which gives the psychological elements room to develop. I have never read a thriller/horror book in the YA genre, and was pleased to see how it still had an effect on me without the darker and mature themes an adult book may have. Readers who enjoy darker YA stories about social power dynamics and morally complicated characters will fall in love with this one.
What really stood out to me in this book was how brutally honest it feels about teenage friendships and the intensity that can come with them as rumors start to spread. Dana Mele writes characters who are messy and flawed, but I appreciated the realism. I felt like I was right there trying to figure out what happened alongside the characters. I also appreciated that Mele added LGPTQ characters to this story— it was nice to read a book that was aimed towards teenagers that included this, so that people in that community felt seen. The story thrives on emotional conflict and the slow build of unease rather than constant action, which gives the psychological elements room to develop. I have never read a thriller/horror book in the YA genre, and was pleased to see how it still had an effect on me without the darker and mature themes an adult book may have. Readers who enjoy darker YA stories about social power dynamics and morally complicated characters will fall in love with this one.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Beth and Hazel are 17 yr old twins who couldn't be more different and currently don't even like each other. One night, "golden girl" Beth cajoles crowd-averse Hazel to come to a party. Hazel is intrigued when a Ouija Board is brought out and the kids try to summon the ghost of Veronica Green, a girl who was murdered in their town 26 years before. By the end of the night, Beth is nowhere to be found and Hazel is livid to have been left alone at a party she didn't even want to go to.
Hazel's annoyance turns to concern when Beth is missing for several days. When Beth finally shows up, she seems to be possessed by the ghost of Veronica Green. Weird things start to happen and Hazel turns to Beth's friends for help - Beth's ex Ezra and her new goth friends Phoebe and Jack, who Hazel never would have spoken to otherwise. Then, a huge revelation changes everything, and dead bodies start to pile up, not to mention swarms of bees and animal carcasses. What seems like a mystery about a decades old murder turns definitively to horror.
The story is told in alternating voices: for the first half of the book, Hazel narrates, with alternating poems from "the twisted mind of Veronica Green." Hazel is angry and confused, wanting to feel loved by Beth but feeling estranged and unable to communicate with her. The poetic interludes from the dead girl are aswirl with blood, angst and demons, and mainly serve to add a sinister feel to what seems for some of the book like a cerebral meditation on sisterhood and identity in a small town. But the second half of the book, which is narrated by Beth, is a desperate search for "The Stranger," as the body count rises. Reasons for the sisters' anger and fraught relationship becomes clearer later in the story, as the reader learns that Hazel is struggling to come out as gay to her parents, and that Beth is nonbinary, both identities that are problematic in their small conservative town. This story is a slow burn with the reward at the end when, after the horror ends and the demon possession is over, the twins and their friends solve the mystery of Veronica Green's death.
Most characters cue as white; Phoebe has dark skin; and most of the characters are LGBTQIA+. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Hazel's annoyance turns to concern when Beth is missing for several days. When Beth finally shows up, she seems to be possessed by the ghost of Veronica Green. Weird things start to happen and Hazel turns to Beth's friends for help - Beth's ex Ezra and her new goth friends Phoebe and Jack, who Hazel never would have spoken to otherwise. Then, a huge revelation changes everything, and dead bodies start to pile up, not to mention swarms of bees and animal carcasses. What seems like a mystery about a decades old murder turns definitively to horror.
The story is told in alternating voices: for the first half of the book, Hazel narrates, with alternating poems from "the twisted mind of Veronica Green." Hazel is angry and confused, wanting to feel loved by Beth but feeling estranged and unable to communicate with her. The poetic interludes from the dead girl are aswirl with blood, angst and demons, and mainly serve to add a sinister feel to what seems for some of the book like a cerebral meditation on sisterhood and identity in a small town. But the second half of the book, which is narrated by Beth, is a desperate search for "The Stranger," as the body count rises. Reasons for the sisters' anger and fraught relationship becomes clearer later in the story, as the reader learns that Hazel is struggling to come out as gay to her parents, and that Beth is nonbinary, both identities that are problematic in their small conservative town. This story is a slow burn with the reward at the end when, after the horror ends and the demon possession is over, the twins and their friends solve the mystery of Veronica Green's death.
Most characters cue as white; Phoebe has dark skin; and most of the characters are LGBTQIA+. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Beth and Hazel are 17 yr old twins who couldn’t be more different and currently don’t even like each other. One night, “golden girl” Beth cajoles crowd-averse Hazel to come to a party. Hazel is intrigued when a Ouija Board is brought out and the kids try to summon the ghost of Veronica Green, a girl who was murdered in their town 26 years before. By the end of the night, Beth is nowhere to be found and Hazel is livid to have been left alone at a party she didn’t even want to go to.
Hazel’s annoyance turns to concern when Beth is missing for several days. When Beth finally shows up, she seems to be possessed by the ghost of Veronica Green. Weird things start to happen and Hazel turns to Beth’s friends for help – Beth’s ex Ezra and her new goth friends Phoebe and Jack, who Hazel never would have spoken to otherwise. Then, a huge revelation changes everything, and dead bodies start to pile up, not to mention swarms of bees and animal carcasses. What seems like a mystery about a decades old murder turns definitively to horror.
The story is told in alternating voices: for the first half of the book, Hazel narrates, with alternating poems from “the twisted mind of Veronica Green.” Hazel is angry and confused, wanting to feel loved by Beth but feeling estranged and unable to communicate with her. The poetic interludes from the dead girl are aswirl with blood, angst and demons, and mainly serve to add a sinister feel to what seems for some of the book like a cerebral meditation on sisterhood and identity in a small town. But the second half of the book, which is narrated by Beth, is a desperate search for “The Stranger,” as the body count rises. Reasons for the sisters’ anger and fraught relationship becomes clearer later in the story, as the reader learns that Hazel is struggling to come out as gay to her parents, and that Beth is nonbinary, both identities that are problematic in their small conservative town. This story is a slow burn with the reward at the end when, after the horror ends and the demon possession is over, the twins and their friends solve the mystery of Veronica Green’s death.
Most characters cue as white; Phoebe has dark skin; and most of the characters are LGBTQIA+.
Hazel’s annoyance turns to concern when Beth is missing for several days. When Beth finally shows up, she seems to be possessed by the ghost of Veronica Green. Weird things start to happen and Hazel turns to Beth’s friends for help – Beth’s ex Ezra and her new goth friends Phoebe and Jack, who Hazel never would have spoken to otherwise. Then, a huge revelation changes everything, and dead bodies start to pile up, not to mention swarms of bees and animal carcasses. What seems like a mystery about a decades old murder turns definitively to horror.
The story is told in alternating voices: for the first half of the book, Hazel narrates, with alternating poems from “the twisted mind of Veronica Green.” Hazel is angry and confused, wanting to feel loved by Beth but feeling estranged and unable to communicate with her. The poetic interludes from the dead girl are aswirl with blood, angst and demons, and mainly serve to add a sinister feel to what seems for some of the book like a cerebral meditation on sisterhood and identity in a small town. But the second half of the book, which is narrated by Beth, is a desperate search for “The Stranger,” as the body count rises. Reasons for the sisters’ anger and fraught relationship becomes clearer later in the story, as the reader learns that Hazel is struggling to come out as gay to her parents, and that Beth is nonbinary, both identities that are problematic in their small conservative town. This story is a slow burn with the reward at the end when, after the horror ends and the demon possession is over, the twins and their friends solve the mystery of Veronica Green’s death.
Most characters cue as white; Phoebe has dark skin; and most of the characters are LGBTQIA+.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ll say this was a really interesting read. It’s told in dual POV, though one voice stands out more, and it’s layered with diary entries from Veronica, which adds an extra eerie touch. The pacing sits at a steady middle ground, with multiple characters working together to piece together what really happened to Hazel’s sister.
The premise immediately pulled me in, a small town with a disappearance no one wants to talk about, and a haunting tied to Veronica Green. Honestly, that alone had me hooked. While the story is compelling, I do wish it had been a bit longer because there was definitely room to dive deeper into Veronica's background and further explore the complicated dynamics between the sisters.
The characters were solid overall, and everyone played their role in moving the story forward. However, there were moments when it felt like too many characters were being introduced at once, making it slightly difficult to keep track of everyone.
Hazel’s motivations felt understandable, her desperation to bring Beth back drives much of the story but there were times I questioned what was really happening. At one point, I even wondered if Beth was pretending, trying to force a confession out of someone. But then the story would take a darker turn, becoming genuinely unsettling to the point where I had to reread certain scenes. The relationship between Hazel and Beth is one of the strongest aspects: messy, tense, and filled with resentment, especially once Beth returns claiming to be Veronica Green.
The mystery surrounding Veronica’s death kept me fully engaged. As Hazel digs deeper, the town itself begins to feel suspicious, like everyone is hiding something. The atmosphere doesn’t rely on constant scares instead, it builds a quiet, creeping sense that something is deeply wrong.
I also really appreciated the themes of identity, queerness, and being an outsider in a small town. These elements added emotional depth to the story and grounded the horror in something more real.
Overall, this is a gripping and eerie read with strong emotional tension and an intriguing mystery. It may feel a bit crowded at times, but it still delivers a haunting and engaging story.
The premise immediately pulled me in, a small town with a disappearance no one wants to talk about, and a haunting tied to Veronica Green. Honestly, that alone had me hooked. While the story is compelling, I do wish it had been a bit longer because there was definitely room to dive deeper into Veronica's background and further explore the complicated dynamics between the sisters.
The characters were solid overall, and everyone played their role in moving the story forward. However, there were moments when it felt like too many characters were being introduced at once, making it slightly difficult to keep track of everyone.
Hazel’s motivations felt understandable, her desperation to bring Beth back drives much of the story but there were times I questioned what was really happening. At one point, I even wondered if Beth was pretending, trying to force a confession out of someone. But then the story would take a darker turn, becoming genuinely unsettling to the point where I had to reread certain scenes. The relationship between Hazel and Beth is one of the strongest aspects: messy, tense, and filled with resentment, especially once Beth returns claiming to be Veronica Green.
The mystery surrounding Veronica’s death kept me fully engaged. As Hazel digs deeper, the town itself begins to feel suspicious, like everyone is hiding something. The atmosphere doesn’t rely on constant scares instead, it builds a quiet, creeping sense that something is deeply wrong.
I also really appreciated the themes of identity, queerness, and being an outsider in a small town. These elements added emotional depth to the story and grounded the horror in something more real.
Overall, this is a gripping and eerie read with strong emotional tension and an intriguing mystery. It may feel a bit crowded at times, but it still delivers a haunting and engaging story.
December 1, 2025
A chilling, psychologically layered thriller that blurs the line between monster and memory
The Beast You Let In is a gripping descent into fear, guilt, and the shadows we carry. Dana Mele crafts a thriller that feels both claustrophobic and strangely intimate—one that creeps under your skin not because of jump-scare horror, but because it understands how trauma reshapes a life in ways even the closest people can’t see.
The novel follows Sloane, whose obsessive need to control her environment stems from a past she’s desperate to outrun. When eerie incidents begin to unravel the fragile structure she’s built, Mele refuses to let the reader trust any single explanation. Is Sloane truly in danger, or is she being haunted by something entirely internal? The ambiguity is the book’s greatest strength—a constant tug between psychological and supernatural possibilities that keeps the tension simmering.
Mele’s writing is sharp, cinematic, and emotionally raw. She excels at atmosphere: the hum of an empty apartment, the wrongness of a door left ajar, the way fear echoes louder in isolation. Even ordinary scenes feel loaded with dread, creating a persistent sense that something terrible is just about to happen. Readers who loved The Haunting of Hill House (Jackson or Flanagan), Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, or The Witchery will instantly connect with this vibe-forward style.
What elevates the story is Mele’s exploration of gaslighting—internal and external—and the slow erosion of trust. Sloane is messy, flawed, and painfully believable, and the novel invites readers to sit with her instability rather than judge it. By the final act, the lines between beast and victim, threat and memory, are devastatingly tangled.
A moody, unsettling psychological thriller, The Beast You Let In is perfect for readers who crave stories where fear is both literal and metaphorical—and where the scariest thing might be the part of yourself you tried to bury.
The Beast You Let In is a gripping descent into fear, guilt, and the shadows we carry. Dana Mele crafts a thriller that feels both claustrophobic and strangely intimate—one that creeps under your skin not because of jump-scare horror, but because it understands how trauma reshapes a life in ways even the closest people can’t see.
The novel follows Sloane, whose obsessive need to control her environment stems from a past she’s desperate to outrun. When eerie incidents begin to unravel the fragile structure she’s built, Mele refuses to let the reader trust any single explanation. Is Sloane truly in danger, or is she being haunted by something entirely internal? The ambiguity is the book’s greatest strength—a constant tug between psychological and supernatural possibilities that keeps the tension simmering.
Mele’s writing is sharp, cinematic, and emotionally raw. She excels at atmosphere: the hum of an empty apartment, the wrongness of a door left ajar, the way fear echoes louder in isolation. Even ordinary scenes feel loaded with dread, creating a persistent sense that something terrible is just about to happen. Readers who loved The Haunting of Hill House (Jackson or Flanagan), Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, or The Witchery will instantly connect with this vibe-forward style.
What elevates the story is Mele’s exploration of gaslighting—internal and external—and the slow erosion of trust. Sloane is messy, flawed, and painfully believable, and the novel invites readers to sit with her instability rather than judge it. By the final act, the lines between beast and victim, threat and memory, are devastatingly tangled.
A moody, unsettling psychological thriller, The Beast You Let In is perfect for readers who crave stories where fear is both literal and metaphorical—and where the scariest thing might be the part of yourself you tried to bury.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A small town horror story feels like nothing special; if there's plenty of woods to be around, then it'd only make sense for something to come out of them. So when the LGBTQ+ themes came into full swing, I was hooked on how well they worked together. It's a small cup of reality spun into something more: a tragedy the LGBTQ+ community is all too familiar with.
Normally I'd have to suspend disbelief for teenagers cracking open a cold case, but the setting gives enough motivation and reason why they'd do it. With little resources at their disposal and even fewer links with authority that could give them a hand, I found myself enjoying their journey.
Beth and Hazel have such an interesting dynamic, and I think it's fairly clear in both of their perspectives how flawed they are. Slights snowball into long held grudges until their relationship has no more grounds to stand on. I really liked the switch from Hazel to Beth's perspective, since we get such skewed tellings of the narrative from either side. However, I did want more acknowledgement of wrongdoing on both sides since Hazel is quite vindictive and from the instances she mentioned where she lost faith in Beth, it felt dramatic (which didn't get called out).
I did find the LGBTQ+ messages a bit on the nose and would've preferred smoother transitions into them, since it was a jarring switch in character voice when they touched on those topics. The little bits of fantasy/paranormal activity that's tossed into the story is also not fully explained, so I did feel I had to suspend my disbelief for the ghost story to work.
It does move through the resolution quite quickly (timeskip two months with a recap), so I am a little disappointed about how the case's mystery ended for how long it was teased for. But I was happy with the ending and the closure between the siblings at the end (reflected by the pronoun change).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE BEAST YOU LET IN by Dana Mele (April 7, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the earc
When Hazel's twin sister goes missing, Hazel is furious but also anxious. When Beth shows back up, she claims to be Veronica Green, a m*rdered teen from years before. Hazel must uncover what happened to Veronica in order to save Beth.
I have been looking forward to a new Dana Mele book since I read SUMMER'S EDGE. I was so happy when this got announced.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN is a YA horror/thriller that is coated in possession, investigations, small-town secrets, and m*rder. From the beginning, this book was very intriguing.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN has a lot of stuff happening at once. Not only is the main focus of this a m*rder investigation with lots of twists and turns, there is a bounty of secrets, lies, and drama as the two main characters (Hazel and Beth) grapple with their small town accepting who they are and their identities while uncovering what happened to Veronica all those years ago.
This is dual point of view, and when that shift happened...I was blown away. Shocked, absolutely in need of binging the second half in under a day. That second half was especially gruesome. Somehow, despite how fast-paced the first half of the book was, the second half was even more fast-paced. A lot, like a lot a lot, happened in this small-town. Everything was woven together (the small town secrets, the possession, the murder) and as it was unwoven, the reveals were especially twisted. And let me tell you, those final few sentences on the last page opened up a whole new world.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN is a must-read. I mean who doesn't love small-town secrets and big time reveals with unreliable narrators? It's dark in so many ways, the characters are likeable, and the twists are twisting.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN by Dana Mele (April 7, 2026)
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the earc
When Hazel's twin sister goes missing, Hazel is furious but also anxious. When Beth shows back up, she claims to be Veronica Green, a m*rdered teen from years before. Hazel must uncover what happened to Veronica in order to save Beth.
I have been looking forward to a new Dana Mele book since I read SUMMER'S EDGE. I was so happy when this got announced.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN is a YA horror/thriller that is coated in possession, investigations, small-town secrets, and m*rder. From the beginning, this book was very intriguing.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN has a lot of stuff happening at once. Not only is the main focus of this a m*rder investigation with lots of twists and turns, there is a bounty of secrets, lies, and drama as the two main characters (Hazel and Beth) grapple with their small town accepting who they are and their identities while uncovering what happened to Veronica all those years ago.
This is dual point of view, and when that shift happened...I was blown away. Shocked, absolutely in need of binging the second half in under a day. That second half was especially gruesome. Somehow, despite how fast-paced the first half of the book was, the second half was even more fast-paced. A lot, like a lot a lot, happened in this small-town. Everything was woven together (the small town secrets, the possession, the murder) and as it was unwoven, the reveals were especially twisted. And let me tell you, those final few sentences on the last page opened up a whole new world.
THE BEAST YOU LET IN is a must-read. I mean who doesn't love small-town secrets and big time reveals with unreliable narrators? It's dark in so many ways, the characters are likeable, and the twists are twisting.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A haunting tale led more by a hushed, creeping sense of unease than slasher vibes or jump scares, The Beast You Let In was eerie and dark from the very first page. With dirty family secrets, a possession, and realistic small-town us vs. them struggles, it had everything I could want in a novel written for teens—or adults. Even better, it was thought-provoking in a way that I wasn’t expecting. Diving into LGBTQIA+ themes as well as sisterhood, identity, and trust, it was emotional, raw, and also scarily familiar. Don’t worry, though. This supernatural horror book also packed quite a punch in terms of fear. Fast-paced, sinister, and somewhat gory, it brought the much-wanted scary movie atmosphere down to the bodies dropping like flies and the ever-present dread and foreboding that oozed from the pages.
I do have to say, though, that the strongest piece to this murder mystery-possession tale combo was the dynamic between Beth and Hazel. Layered, complex, and true-to-life, their relationship—which we saw from both sides thanks to their two unreliable POVs—kept me hooked on this book. That being said, I did have one issue as well. You see, there were a few somewhat jarring transitions, which made it hard to stay fully immersed in the story at times. In spite of this, though, I flew through the dread-fueled pages in one single sitting. Perfect for fans of The Haunting of Hill House or Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark, I loved how it felt both claustrophobic and just a tiny bit unhinged. So if you like YA horror with a side of social commentary, grab this book now. It delivered in spades on both fronts. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
There is no one Hazel trusts less than her self-centered twin, Beth. So when Beth abandons her at a party she didn't want to attend in the first place, Hazel decides not to let it ruin her night. She throws herself into flirting and telling ghost stories over a Ouija board. Hazel might not be the popular twin, but she is going to have fun if it kills her.
Except Beth doesn't come home that night, and Hazel's anger morphs into anxiety. It only sharpens when Beth reappears a day later, disoriented and claiming to be Veronica Green, a teen who was murdered in their small town years before. If it isn't a possession, Beth is really good at faking it. Did they accidentally release a vengeful horror during the party?
Hazel must uncover what happened to Veronica all those years ago if she's going to save Beth. But the truth may destroy them both―if they don't destroy each other first.
Thank you Dana Mele and Sourcebooks Fire for the Midnight Reads PR box with my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 7, 2026
Content warning: death, murder, autism, gaslighting, biphobia/homophobia/transphobia, cursing, hate crime, emotional and physical abuse, self harm, sexual violence, animal death, suicide attempt, blood
I do have to say, though, that the strongest piece to this murder mystery-possession tale combo was the dynamic between Beth and Hazel. Layered, complex, and true-to-life, their relationship—which we saw from both sides thanks to their two unreliable POVs—kept me hooked on this book. That being said, I did have one issue as well. You see, there were a few somewhat jarring transitions, which made it hard to stay fully immersed in the story at times. In spite of this, though, I flew through the dread-fueled pages in one single sitting. Perfect for fans of The Haunting of Hill House or Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark, I loved how it felt both claustrophobic and just a tiny bit unhinged. So if you like YA horror with a side of social commentary, grab this book now. It delivered in spades on both fronts. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
There is no one Hazel trusts less than her self-centered twin, Beth. So when Beth abandons her at a party she didn't want to attend in the first place, Hazel decides not to let it ruin her night. She throws herself into flirting and telling ghost stories over a Ouija board. Hazel might not be the popular twin, but she is going to have fun if it kills her.
Except Beth doesn't come home that night, and Hazel's anger morphs into anxiety. It only sharpens when Beth reappears a day later, disoriented and claiming to be Veronica Green, a teen who was murdered in their small town years before. If it isn't a possession, Beth is really good at faking it. Did they accidentally release a vengeful horror during the party?
Hazel must uncover what happened to Veronica all those years ago if she's going to save Beth. But the truth may destroy them both―if they don't destroy each other first.
Thank you Dana Mele and Sourcebooks Fire for the Midnight Reads PR box with my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 7, 2026
Content warning: death, murder, autism, gaslighting, biphobia/homophobia/transphobia, cursing, hate crime, emotional and physical abuse, self harm, sexual violence, animal death, suicide attempt, blood
March 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC!
This book had me hooked from the very first line:
“My sister is a liar. A good one. The kind you want to believe, and believe again.”
From that moment on, The Beast You Let In pulls you into an eerie, suspenseful story full of family secrets, sabotage, and small-town murder mysteries.
This fast-paced YA horror blends possession, investigation, and supernatural elements in a way that kept me completely invested. Add in the paranormal twists and it’s honestly chef’s kiss.
The story is told through a dual POV, and when that shift happened I was FLOORED. The second half of the book had me absolutely binging because there were so many secrets, clues, and little Easter eggs that I didn’t want to miss a single detail.
I also loved the cast of characters we follow. Each personality felt distinct and added something to the story, and the LGBTQ+ representation was great to see. The book also touches on the pressure younger generations feel from older generations and their expectations, which added another layer to the story.
One of my favorite elements was the unreliable narration between the sisters. You can really feel the tension and uncertainty between them, especially through the lens of being high school students navigating secrets, fear, and loyalty.
This was the kind of book that genuinely had me looking over my shoulder while reading.
It’s hard to fully describe this story without giving anything away, but just know it’s eerie, gory, unpredictable, and a little unhinged in the best way.
This book had me hooked from the very first line:
“My sister is a liar. A good one. The kind you want to believe, and believe again.”
From that moment on, The Beast You Let In pulls you into an eerie, suspenseful story full of family secrets, sabotage, and small-town murder mysteries.
This fast-paced YA horror blends possession, investigation, and supernatural elements in a way that kept me completely invested. Add in the paranormal twists and it’s honestly chef’s kiss.
The story is told through a dual POV, and when that shift happened I was FLOORED. The second half of the book had me absolutely binging because there were so many secrets, clues, and little Easter eggs that I didn’t want to miss a single detail.
I also loved the cast of characters we follow. Each personality felt distinct and added something to the story, and the LGBTQ+ representation was great to see. The book also touches on the pressure younger generations feel from older generations and their expectations, which added another layer to the story.
One of my favorite elements was the unreliable narration between the sisters. You can really feel the tension and uncertainty between them, especially through the lens of being high school students navigating secrets, fear, and loyalty.
This was the kind of book that genuinely had me looking over my shoulder while reading.
It’s hard to fully describe this story without giving anything away, but just know it’s eerie, gory, unpredictable, and a little unhinged in the best way.
Review of advance copy
Secrets, paranormal, and the kind of truth that refuses to stay buried.
The Beast You Let In blends mystery and horror in a small town where everyone is hiding something. When Hazel’s twin sister Beth returns from a Halloween party claiming to be possessed by the spirit of a murdered girl, the story quickly spirals into questions of truth, performance, and belief. Hazel’s determination to uncover what really happened years ago drives the tension forward and kept me invested.
I appreciated the twist and the way the story explored closeted secrets and accepting one’s identity. Those themes were woven cleverly into the idea of a monster that exists to expose the past, making the emotional core of the book feel meaningful. The metaphor worked well and added depth to the mystery.
That said, the book definitely reads as YA, and I found myself wishing it leaned harder into the horror elements. There were moments that felt like they could have gone darker or more unsettling, but instead pulled back just as things got intense. This is a great book for teens who are struggling with their identity and want a paranormal setting.
Overall, this was an engaging and thoughtful read with a fun twist and strong themes, even if it wasn’t as scary as I hoped it would be.
4 out of 5 stars
That’s my Vivid take ✔️📚
Thank you to Midnight Reads and SourceBooks Fire for the advanced reader copy!
The Beast You Let In blends mystery and horror in a small town where everyone is hiding something. When Hazel’s twin sister Beth returns from a Halloween party claiming to be possessed by the spirit of a murdered girl, the story quickly spirals into questions of truth, performance, and belief. Hazel’s determination to uncover what really happened years ago drives the tension forward and kept me invested.
I appreciated the twist and the way the story explored closeted secrets and accepting one’s identity. Those themes were woven cleverly into the idea of a monster that exists to expose the past, making the emotional core of the book feel meaningful. The metaphor worked well and added depth to the mystery.
That said, the book definitely reads as YA, and I found myself wishing it leaned harder into the horror elements. There were moments that felt like they could have gone darker or more unsettling, but instead pulled back just as things got intense. This is a great book for teens who are struggling with their identity and want a paranormal setting.
Overall, this was an engaging and thoughtful read with a fun twist and strong themes, even if it wasn’t as scary as I hoped it would be.
4 out of 5 stars
That’s my Vivid take ✔️📚
Thank you to Midnight Reads and SourceBooks Fire for the advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’d been eyeing this book for a while, and the cover immediately drew me in—it’s absolutely stunning and made me really excited to start reading. Unfortunately, the story itself didn’t quite live up to the promise of that first impression.
The biggest issue for me was that the author frequently seemed to lose sight of the plot. Absolute red herrings all over the place like the author wanted to make a point. She could have worked things in so much better. Much of the narrative circles around the same ideas again and again, particularly Beth/Veronica’s constant attempts to escape and the increasingly wild things she does in the process. After a while, it starts to feel repetitive. We get it—she’s trying to get out. What I really wanted was for the story to move forward and dig deeper into the actual plot and backstory.
That’s what makes this so frustrating: the core premise is genuinely fascinating. The plot has the potential to be intense, exciting, and gripping. But instead of building on that momentum, the story often wanders off into long tangents and unnecessary filler that slow everything down. At times, the narrative becomes so circular that it’s easy to lose focus, and the pacing suffers because of it.
With some tightening and a stronger focus on the main storyline, this could have been a really compelling read. The ideas are there, but the excessive fluff and repeated detours make it difficult to stay fully engaged.
The biggest issue for me was that the author frequently seemed to lose sight of the plot. Absolute red herrings all over the place like the author wanted to make a point. She could have worked things in so much better. Much of the narrative circles around the same ideas again and again, particularly Beth/Veronica’s constant attempts to escape and the increasingly wild things she does in the process. After a while, it starts to feel repetitive. We get it—she’s trying to get out. What I really wanted was for the story to move forward and dig deeper into the actual plot and backstory.
That’s what makes this so frustrating: the core premise is genuinely fascinating. The plot has the potential to be intense, exciting, and gripping. But instead of building on that momentum, the story often wanders off into long tangents and unnecessary filler that slow everything down. At times, the narrative becomes so circular that it’s easy to lose focus, and the pacing suffers because of it.
With some tightening and a stronger focus on the main storyline, this could have been a really compelling read. The ideas are there, but the excessive fluff and repeated detours make it difficult to stay fully engaged.
Review of advance copy
Big Thank you to my Twin sister, Ari, who works for the CCPL and provided me with a free paperback copy of the ARC.
~~Reviewed by Toby Palevsky Smith of Toby's Nerd-Cave Library~~
As an identical twin myself, where one of us is trans, I heavily related to the siblings in this story - to a point. My twin and I have always been close unlike Beth and Hazel. I think Hazel really should’ve given Beth the benefit of the doubt, and I also think she was a little self centered. The change in POV halfway through the book was really what made it a fully rounded story for me. It included POVs from both twins, sometimes telling the same anecdote from their childhoods, but from each of their own POVs giving us both sides of the story.
This was a ghostly murder mystery with a hint of gore and some delightfully colorful language. I also really like the fact that romance was not the main focus of the characters, that it is a very plot driven story with well developed characters. I feel like the rules of magic could have been more clearly defined, but overall I think the world building keeps the setting and plot pretty clear.
The themes of isolation from the LGBT+ community really hit hard for me as a transman. I absolutely need to see more representation just like this in other books. A+ for the author for also including a list of Trans positive resources at the back of the book. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes a good murder mystery with a hint of fantasy attached.
Thank you to my sister, Ari, at the Cuyahoga County Public Library, for providing me with a free Advance Readers Copy.
~~Reviewed by Toby Palevsky Smith of Toby's Nerd-Cave Library~~
As an identical twin myself, where one of us is trans, I heavily related to the siblings in this story - to a point. My twin and I have always been close unlike Beth and Hazel. I think Hazel really should’ve given Beth the benefit of the doubt, and I also think she was a little self centered. The change in POV halfway through the book was really what made it a fully rounded story for me. It included POVs from both twins, sometimes telling the same anecdote from their childhoods, but from each of their own POVs giving us both sides of the story.
This was a ghostly murder mystery with a hint of gore and some delightfully colorful language. I also really like the fact that romance was not the main focus of the characters, that it is a very plot driven story with well developed characters. I feel like the rules of magic could have been more clearly defined, but overall I think the world building keeps the setting and plot pretty clear.
The themes of isolation from the LGBT+ community really hit hard for me as a transman. I absolutely need to see more representation just like this in other books. A+ for the author for also including a list of Trans positive resources at the back of the book. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes a good murder mystery with a hint of fantasy attached.
Thank you to my sister, Ari, at the Cuyahoga County Public Library, for providing me with a free Advance Readers Copy.
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