When the highway floods, the isolated roadhouse in the middle of nowhere Western Australia is the last place to hide. Out here in the bush, there’s nowhere else to go. Corin knows better than to open the door. But strangers always do. They walk in, dripping wet, thinking they’ve found safety.
They haven’t.
Because the storm whispers names. And once you hear yours, it’s already too late.
Mara’s lived her whole life with red dirt on her boots, flooded crossings, and storms that swallow the bitumen without warning. She knows the man behind the counter who never flinches, never looks afraid, and always seems to know exactly what it takes to survive.
And when dawn doesn’t come, when time itself stops, there’s only one question left— How long until It Knows Your Name?
I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC and I devoured it! Chilling, shocking, creepy and a good freaking time.
I love a scary story and this was right up my alley. I would loved for it to have been twice as long as I probably would have still finished it in one sitting.
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the beta and ARC of It Knows Your Name. The following is an honest review and the fact that I received the book at no cost has no bearing on my ultimate review of it.
This book creeped me out in the best way. From the opening scene, I knew I was in for something dark and unsettling. The storm, the roadhouse, the flooded highways… the whole setting is so vivid it’s like you’re right there, trapped in it. The atmosphere is honestly the standout - it’s heavy, tense, and you can almost feel the damp creeping in.
And then there are the whispers. The idea that something out there knows your name, and that answering is dangerous? Absolutely chilling. That concept alone gave me goosebumps, and the way it’s written keeps the dread simmering.
I did find the middle section slowed down a little with description, and the two main characters sometimes leaned into familiar “practical heroine / broody loner” roles. I would have liked to know more about their backgrounds, particularly Mara’s, but I understand there’s only so much that can be written in a novella. The tension between them still worked, and I never stopped wanting to know what would happen next.
What I loved most was the balance of claustrophobia and dread - that sense that something is always just out of sight, waiting. The gore is full-on at times, but it’s effective, and I actually think the quieter moments hit hardest.
Overall, this is an eerie, atmospheric horror that lingers. A memorable read with a brilliant concept at its heart.
I was unable to put this down. Atmospheric, tense, and gripping and I clung to every dark word.
A treacherous Western Australian storm forces Mara to seek shelter in Corin’s roadhouse. It’s not unusual for travelers to wait out the weather there and they’re always greeted by Corin’s grumpy, no-nonsense hospitality. But during this storm, time itself seems to stop… and you’d better pray you don’t hear your name.
The antagonist being inseparable from the storm was a brilliant, unique concept. The isolated outback became super claustrophobic, and is now a fear of mine, and I’ve never even set foot in Australia. The creature itself was chilling, reminding me of a cross between Slender Man and the being from Stolen Tongues, yet wholly original in its own (very dreadful) way. Its method of hunting was unsettling and fresh.
The storm, larger-than-life and relentless, became a character in its own right. I worried thunder and lightning might grow repetitive, but Avryne keeps the single continuous storm fresh, eerie, and consuming.
The tension between the love interests was knife sharp from the jump; disturbing, messy, and full of red flags you want Mara to notice but secretly are excited when she doesn’t.
My single qualm is a personal bias. I don’t really enjoy intimate scenes and I felt like it took me out of the story a bit.
And then there’s the gore. Wet, tender, and gruesome. The same can be said for the setting. The roadhouse, like the storm, feels alive, a stage of sorts where everything unfolds over one night (though time itself is questionable). With such a confined space and limited span, I am of the opinion that atmosphere and pacing are critical, and Avryne nails them.
Louise Avryne has delivered a gripping, bloody, and addictive novella. I’ll read whatever she writes next, no hesitation.
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-ARC — all opinions are my own.
When my girlfriend Katie mentioned this book to me and how good it was, I knew I had to partake. And let me tell you, this was wild. Like to the point I didn’t even know what to expect next because it smacks you in the face immediately and doesn’t let up. If you’re squeamish, this one isn’t for you. The description was so vivid I could smell it. And hear it. I couldn’t read this at night time because it freaked me out. I could’ve sworn I heard the darkness call my name. 🫣 It had me second guessing what was happening constantly. That friggen THING had me gagging while ripping people apart. Like I said… VIVID. It messed with my mind too. One minute I was like “oh I know what’s happening” and the next I was thinking “oop never mind I guess not”. I also loved that this was in an isolated setting, it really added to the “you’re gonna spend the entire time on the edge of your seat”. I liked that we encounter multiple characters in a short time and while this was a novella, I still felt a connection to them.. which was great and the worst all at the same time.
I do feel a few things were repetitive when describing certain events or settings and I do wish this was longer (because I wanted more, duh), but other than that, this book was crazy good. I can’t wait to see what else Louise’s mind brings to the table.
I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC! This was creepy, thought provoking, and stomach turning! I had a great time reading this and am excited for more people to read it! Definitely a must read for anyone who likes monster horror that leaves you thinking.
4.5 stars - I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of It Knows Your Name from the author! 🫶
It Knows Your Name is a novella I couldn’t put down! 🥹🖤 It’s unpredictable, atmospheric, suspenseful, creepy, and gives the reader a feeling of dread and despair. In other words it’s perfect for spooky season and I finished the whole thing in one sitting and devoured it like I would with a bag of popcorn because it’s addictive! 👻🍿
This novella brought me on such a wild and crazy ride. The premise of having the storm whispering a person’s name and being in danger if the person responds back gave me chills and goosebumps going up and down my arms. Do not get me started on that ending because I am still processing what happened due to being in shock and I am never getting over it! 😱🤯🙊🙀
If you love horror, multiple POVs, a monster you can’t escape, unpredictable reads, and a book that will keep you thinking about it long after it’s over then this is the one for you! 🫶
Creepy, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. The remote roadhouse setting in the middle of the WA bush was so vivid it felt alive, and the storm whispering names gave me chills. Corin’s steady calm and Mara’s deep tie to the land made a great pairing, and the suspense of dawn never coming kept me hooked.
A few slower moments, but overall a haunting, original read that lingers long after the last page.
This short thriller packs quite a punch! You are taken on a wild ride of suspense and horror while second guessing what’s going on the entire way through. Avryne manages to connect you to the characters, adds some spice, and leaves you questioning everything. Definitely a perfect, quick read when you’re in the mood for a terrifying read.
This was a fantastic read. The suspense was real!! Corin was a great character. I enjoyed this so much. The ending was great. It was the creepiest book I've read in a while, and I loved it 💯
Mara will forever be there...and in my mind for sure.
One of my favorite things in fiction is when the setting stops being just a backdrop and steps into the story as a character in its own right. The Haunting of Hill House gave us Hill House itself—alive, brooding, almost resentful. Michael McDowell’s Blackwater Saga turned the Perdido River into a relentless, inescapable force. Louise Avryne’s It Knows Your Name takes this tradition and spins it into something uniquely terrifying: a villain and a storm that become indistinguishable from each other. It’s fascinating trick and never wears thin, keeping danger in constant motion. Always circling, always near.
The setup is simple. A brutal Western Australian storm drives Mara into Corin’s roadhouse, a place where stranded travelers usually wait out the weather. But this storm isn’t like the others. Reality buckles. And if you hear your name carried on the winds, you’re already too late.
There’s a lot if other stuff here, a real nightmarish cocktail of claustrophobia, gore, and desire. The tension between Mara and Corin is messy but engaging, even if it does sometimes slow down the novella a bit much, but it doesn’t have a feverish intimacy that adds to the force of the storm. But the real star is the setting and Avryne nails it, making me stay through some dark romance aspects that aren’t normally my thing.
It Knows Your Name is bloody and atmospheric, a sort of blending of Storm of the Century, Stolen Tongues, and The Mist. Check this out…and maybe stay away from the Outback.
It Knows Your Name is set on the planes of Australia where only practical skills and a sane mind can help you survive. That is under normal conditions, but what if there’s a storm brewing? And with that storm comes a terrifying monster…
There is your perfect adventurous setting. It really helps create the mood.
You get a good sense of what horror is and how it feels when your car is broken down and you have to hide out in a roadhouse through the eyes of Mara. She and some others look for safety, and they find it with Corin who runs the roadhouse. But he is wary of strangers…
There is more to Corin than he shows: he knows more about the area and its secrets. He has been working at the roadhouse long, so I guess it comes with the territory: you adapt or you…fade away. And that is his whole vibe. He wants to help them, but isn’t gentle when handling the situation. And trust me: these folks need his help!
For the best atmosphere, it’s better not to read it on sunny days near the beach… which is what I did
The story is great nonetheless, but the setting would be so much better if it was a windy Or rainy night.
I recommend this book for those who enjoy a great buildup in a horror setting filled with stormy weather and something much darker.
This is an atmospheric and haunting, isolating trip to the remote Australian outback. A wonderful blend of paranormal/monster horror with psychological horror. Set in a highway roadhouse, the last refuge in the middle of nowhere when a terrible storm hits. But this storm is more than bad weather, it's sentient and it knows your name, calling you to it. The depiction is vivid and claustrophobic building a tense atmosphere. Our two main characters, Mara and Corin are well developed, and their relationship throughout is well written.
The book has themes of survival, isolation, connection, surrender, memory and identity. The prose is beautifully lyrical and sharply poetic in description. Wonderful pacing, building dread through eerie silences as well as direct action, creating a visceral atmosphere throughout.
This is an intense horror, but there is also a bit of a small amount of dark romance and a bit of sexiness. however this is relevant to the plot and themes rather than crowbarred in for no reason.
A brilliant debut from an exciting new author.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The storm isn’t just weather—it’s hunting. And from the first page, I was hooked.
This book was an excellent, gripping, creepy, and unexpectedly sexy read. Louise Avryne drops you straight into the haunting, storm-lashed Australian outback and never lets you catch your breath. The atmosphere is thick and relentless; I could almost feel the red dirt under my boots and the rain hammering the tin roof of that roadhouse.
Corin and Mara are unforgettable. Corin’s quiet intensity and Mara’s sharp resilience create a chemistry that’s sizzling, all while the storm itself looms as a terrifying, almost sentient presence. The tension—both physical and supernatural—kept me turning pages late into the night.
I devoured this book in just two days, wishing I could have ignored my inbox, my work, and even Instagram to finish it in one sitting. Louise kept me right on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, until the very end.
If you love horror with teeth, romance with heat, and a story that lingers long after you’ve closed the book, It Knows Your Name is absolutely worth the read.
This story is unpredictable, gripping, and genuinely unsettling, exactly what you want from a horror novella. It balances supernatural menace with very human fears of guilt, betrayal, and helplessness as they face the brutality of survival, the inevitability of fate, and the terrifying intimacy of being hunted by something you can’t fully understand. A fast-paced, blood-soaked rollercoaster, this is a story you’ll devour in one sitting and think about long after the storm has passed. You find yourself relating to and growing attached to each of the characters as they are written with realistic emotions and natural responses. And the twist ending? It subverts expectations and leaves a lingering chill. If you love atmospheric horror with sharp characters, brutal twists, and that creeping sense of dread you can’t shake—don’t pass this one over. It’s a must-read.
I am so happy i got the opportunity to read this as an arc! I went in blind and have zero regrets! It knows your name is a dark thriller that had me wondering and second guessing everything! I loved Corin as a mmc! He was protective and caring even through all his secrets. I loved the tension between both main characters! The draw to each other was great. This is set in a very dark and spooky environment. I found it so well described you can feel the dust in your lungs as you read it. The ending was excellent! I love a shocker finale in a book AND THIS WAS IT! Nail biting, action filled, thrilling and brain wracking! If you like dark mystery, thrillers, spice, and all the twists and turns, this is definitely for you!!
This was the perfect spooky read! The idea of being hunted by something calling your name was so creepy! i honestly spent time looking over my shoulder while reading this.
Even though I suspected, I was still pleasantly surprised by the twist at the end. The author's take on "forever love" is very intriguing!
Only thing stopping me from giving 5 stars was the sex scene. It wasn't poorly written; just felt completely out of place with the events that were going on.
Perfect for the spooky season? CHECK Chill inducing? ABSOLUTELY Spicy? Yes 🥵 Will I reread every year? Yuuuuup.
It knows your name freaked me out even as I couldn’t put it down. I loved it and finished it SO QUICKLY! Love the deeper meanings in the ending, but it’s just a great horror romance if you don’t want to look any further than that either 😅 10/10
I was lucky enough to get a chance to read this book before she releases it.
The themes of entrapment and survival in this are astounding.
It’s dark it’s visceral. It’s like you can taste and smell and feel everything that the characters are going through. Every description is vivid and you’re drawn into it and it’s so claustrophobic and so daunting that I honestly had nightmares about it for a couple of days.
The ending was such a twist but it wasn’t a twist that you couldn’t see coming. There were breadcrumbs spread along the pages that made you realise something wasn’t quite right.
This is definitely one of those stories that will sit with me for the rest of my life. Whenever I pick up a book and think about a dark brooding man, I’ll definitely be thinking about Corin.
Louise has managed to turn a novella into a blood soaked horror and you feel for every single person that’s trapped in that roadhouse.
I just wish Freya got what she wanted. The end was just cinematic in so many ways as was the rest of the book.
I couldn’t put it down and I cannot wait to see what this author does next.
I had a hard time getting into this book as it wasn’t quite what I expected. Being a Canadian the Australian verbiage was a little hard for me to grasp. I found myself having to google terms that had me confused. If you like spooky stories this one may be for you but it was not my cup of tea
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars) This is a great suspenseful novella with just a hint of spice. If you’re looking for a spooky read for October, this is definitely one to pick up. I really enjoyed the tension of not knowing what was terrorising the characters, and the forced proximity of them being stuck in a motel added an extra layer of intrigue. The spicy scene did catch me off guard—I wasn’t expecting it, and it felt a little forced—but overall, this was a quick, eerie, and enjoyable read!
Thank you Louise Avryne, for providing me with this ARC copy to read
Going into this, I thought it was going to be a spicy spooky novella. It has one sex scene in it so to me it wasn't spicy. I loved the idea of the story line of this one. It takes place in the outback of Australia during a huge storm. But its not just a storm. It’s alive and it's hunting. This is written in the 3rd person so at times I was confused of what was happening. Definitely a me problem. If your looking for a spooky novella with a plot twist, I'd say give this a read!