What do you think?
Rate this book
Sitting Tenant
After a breakdown and the loss of her job, Mattie moves into a house inherited from an aunt she never knew existed, hoping to find peace and stability. But the house holds more than she expected —it has a sitting tenant, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
As Mattie unravels the tangled threads of her family’s past, she discovers the shocking truth about her mother, her birth, and the sister no one ever spoke about. Just as she begins to settle in, an unknown enemy launches a sinister campaign to drive her out of the home she’s grown to love.
With her past and present about to collide, can Mattie find the strength to rebuild her life.
As Mattie unravels the tangled threads of her family’s past, she discovers the shocking truth about her mother, her birth, and the sister no one ever spoke about. Just as she begins to settle in, an unknown enemy launches a sinister campaign to drive her out of the home she’s grown to love.
With her past and present about to collide, can Mattie find the strength to rebuild her life.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 29, 2025
This book holds nothing back and we start on page 1 with Mattie being released from hospital following her breakdown, and Radcliffe keeps this level of pace and intrigue throughout. We know straight away that Mattie has lost her job, in recovery from her breakdown and making a life changing move, is it ill timed? Quite possibly, but the news she’s inherited a house from an aunt she didn’t even know existed is pretty big and is going to give her the fresh start she think she needs.
So Mattie picks herself up and makes the move from York to Lytham. Now, in my eyes making the move from Yorkshire to Lancashire feels like the wrong choice, but that’s the Yorkshire love in me. We begin trying to piece together Mattie’s family history, which has more stones to unturn, secrets to unpack and mystery. Her relationship build with Lucas was really charming and one that really added good depth to the overall story. I loved the way Radcliffe wrote the characters around Mattie, all felt like they complemented and built blocks into the story, and totally drew me to love and in some cases despise some of them.
This is the perfect book to pick up if you love ghost stories served with a big helping of mystery and a carefully crafted mental health story line that’ll make the characters feel incredibly relatable. Radcliffe navigated this perfectly, and whilst the topic feels heavy, I still got a lot of really heartfelt and warm vibes from this book. Found family is something I really lean into, especially at this time of year and ghost stories are always a fan favourite of mine. If I could give one warning, it’s that the final 20% of this book will have you glued, so if you’re thinking of picking it up anywhere near bedtime, it will be 2am before you can put it down. Yes, I am indeed speaking from experience.
So Mattie picks herself up and makes the move from York to Lytham. Now, in my eyes making the move from Yorkshire to Lancashire feels like the wrong choice, but that’s the Yorkshire love in me. We begin trying to piece together Mattie’s family history, which has more stones to unturn, secrets to unpack and mystery. Her relationship build with Lucas was really charming and one that really added good depth to the overall story. I loved the way Radcliffe wrote the characters around Mattie, all felt like they complemented and built blocks into the story, and totally drew me to love and in some cases despise some of them.
This is the perfect book to pick up if you love ghost stories served with a big helping of mystery and a carefully crafted mental health story line that’ll make the characters feel incredibly relatable. Radcliffe navigated this perfectly, and whilst the topic feels heavy, I still got a lot of really heartfelt and warm vibes from this book. Found family is something I really lean into, especially at this time of year and ghost stories are always a fan favourite of mine. If I could give one warning, it’s that the final 20% of this book will have you glued, so if you’re thinking of picking it up anywhere near bedtime, it will be 2am before you can put it down. Yes, I am indeed speaking from experience.
November 24, 2025
Sitting Tenant was fine. It was OK. The characters are likable, and the setting has a fun, quirky charm that makes the world easy to slip into. I enjoyed following Mattie, especially in the moments where she starts to grow, find her voice, and gain confidence. Those were the parts of the book that felt the most grounded and satisfying. There was a nice statement on dealing with mental health issues and being allowed to treat them like any other ailment even though the world doesn’t always let us do that.
The plot, though, was predictable. I do not need big twists to enjoy a story, but if twists are included, I do not want to greet them with “Well, obviously.” Unfortunately, all of the turns in this one felt telegraphed long before they arrived. They were more like the only reasonable reason for the events of the story.
The ending also felt rushed, and the explanation for what happens in the final part pushed the limits of believability. It wrapped things up, but not in a way that felt fully earned. Someone went through all of that trouble and committed multiple felonies for that reason? OK.
Overall, Sitting Tenant is a pleasant enough read with warm characters and a charming backdrop, but the predictability and hurried finish kept it firmly in the “just OK” category for me.
The plot, though, was predictable. I do not need big twists to enjoy a story, but if twists are included, I do not want to greet them with “Well, obviously.” Unfortunately, all of the turns in this one felt telegraphed long before they arrived. They were more like the only reasonable reason for the events of the story.
The ending also felt rushed, and the explanation for what happens in the final part pushed the limits of believability. It wrapped things up, but not in a way that felt fully earned. Someone went through all of that trouble and committed multiple felonies for that reason? OK.
Overall, Sitting Tenant is a pleasant enough read with warm characters and a charming backdrop, but the predictability and hurried finish kept it firmly in the “just OK” category for me.
November 28, 2025
I am pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up liking this book.
Normally, when reading some with a supernatural component, I like them to be absolutely overflowing with action and excitement. The slower pace of this book did take me a while to get used to, but once I got there, it became really enjoyable. Do I wish we got a little more tension in parts and a bit more ghosts all around? Sure. I do, however, think it would shift the vibe of the book that goes against the author's goals.
I believe the "About" blurb said something along the lines of "talking about topics with a light hand," and this book did that amazingly. Talking about mental health is always tricky and that's before we get into the supernatural. I really liked how the book handled these tough topics in almost an educational light. The emergence of the supernatural wasn't the end of Mattie getting mental health and being ok with it. I do wish we got more internal dialog because I think it helped bring out the internal struggle that Mattie went through the best. There was a decent amount of dialog in this book, which was a little much for me. That goes back to the pacing and style point, so it wasn't much of a detractor.
Overall, this was a fun but deep read that I quite enjoyed.
Normally, when reading some with a supernatural component, I like them to be absolutely overflowing with action and excitement. The slower pace of this book did take me a while to get used to, but once I got there, it became really enjoyable. Do I wish we got a little more tension in parts and a bit more ghosts all around? Sure. I do, however, think it would shift the vibe of the book that goes against the author's goals.
I believe the "About" blurb said something along the lines of "talking about topics with a light hand," and this book did that amazingly. Talking about mental health is always tricky and that's before we get into the supernatural. I really liked how the book handled these tough topics in almost an educational light. The emergence of the supernatural wasn't the end of Mattie getting mental health and being ok with it. I do wish we got more internal dialog because I think it helped bring out the internal struggle that Mattie went through the best. There was a decent amount of dialog in this book, which was a little much for me. That goes back to the pacing and style point, so it wasn't much of a detractor.
Overall, this was a fun but deep read that I quite enjoyed.
November 18, 2025
Struggling with her mental health Mattie takes the biggest leap of her life, moving to a new home in a new town. What Mattie expected to be a new start to focus on herself, turned into a battle of discoveries, racism, unexpected “gifts” and a voice that just won’t let her be.
This book touches on and explores so many important topics from mental health and that feeling of being misunderstood and alone, to racism, fraud, physical threats and complex family situations. I felt that they were handled so well and respectfully.
I really could connect with some of the challenges Mattie was facing personally. On top of all of this there is also an engaging storyline crossing both into a thriller and paranormal mystery. I would say just make sure you happy with the trigger warnings before jumping in as one you start it is going to grip you and your not going to want to stop.
There were so many fantastic characters in this book with brilliant histories. I love Mattie the determined young female fighting for herself, and Lucas and Tom the neighbours I want in real life. Emilie sounded like such a fun loving eccentric individual that you just couldn’t hate her if you tried. Finally there is Nigel and Davina…..the less said about them the better.
Overall an engaging read that sucks you in from the start, that’s brilliantly written with such honest reflections of struggles faced by so many. I will 100% be reading more Rosie Radcliffe.
This book touches on and explores so many important topics from mental health and that feeling of being misunderstood and alone, to racism, fraud, physical threats and complex family situations. I felt that they were handled so well and respectfully.
I really could connect with some of the challenges Mattie was facing personally. On top of all of this there is also an engaging storyline crossing both into a thriller and paranormal mystery. I would say just make sure you happy with the trigger warnings before jumping in as one you start it is going to grip you and your not going to want to stop.
There were so many fantastic characters in this book with brilliant histories. I love Mattie the determined young female fighting for herself, and Lucas and Tom the neighbours I want in real life. Emilie sounded like such a fun loving eccentric individual that you just couldn’t hate her if you tried. Finally there is Nigel and Davina…..the less said about them the better.
Overall an engaging read that sucks you in from the start, that’s brilliantly written with such honest reflections of struggles faced by so many. I will 100% be reading more Rosie Radcliffe.
November 18, 2025
Thank you to InstaBookTours The Book Guild Publishing and Rosie Radcliffe for the advance review copy of Sitting Tenant.
The writing style of the book was very readable and I was instantly drawn into the world of Mattie, a young woman from Yorkshire who finds herself inheriting a house in Lancashire from a distant aunt. Mattie is a recently discharged mental health patient and sees this opportunity as a new chapter in her life.
The story is multi-layered tackling deep topics such as mental health, racism, family trauma, toxic relationships and more. As a result the story has multiple strands to keep tabs on - Mattie and her mental health journey, anti-social behaviour and hate crimes and a few romantic journeys for several of the characters. Some of the outcomes I found predictable but each of the storylines is drawn to conclusions by the end of the book which was satisfying for me as a reader.
The characterisation is good, some deliciously naughty characters (the wild neighbour!) and some very poignant characters in Lucas and his nephew Tom.
I thought this book initially was going to be about a squatter in the house, but it was a much more interesting and complex narrative choice (I wont say more as I don't want it to be a spoiler) but it was an interesting perspective for the story to take and added a unique dimension to the plot.
An enjoyable read for the characters and the tough subjects it tackles in an emotionally sensitive and informative way.
The writing style of the book was very readable and I was instantly drawn into the world of Mattie, a young woman from Yorkshire who finds herself inheriting a house in Lancashire from a distant aunt. Mattie is a recently discharged mental health patient and sees this opportunity as a new chapter in her life.
The story is multi-layered tackling deep topics such as mental health, racism, family trauma, toxic relationships and more. As a result the story has multiple strands to keep tabs on - Mattie and her mental health journey, anti-social behaviour and hate crimes and a few romantic journeys for several of the characters. Some of the outcomes I found predictable but each of the storylines is drawn to conclusions by the end of the book which was satisfying for me as a reader.
The characterisation is good, some deliciously naughty characters (the wild neighbour!) and some very poignant characters in Lucas and his nephew Tom.
I thought this book initially was going to be about a squatter in the house, but it was a much more interesting and complex narrative choice (I wont say more as I don't want it to be a spoiler) but it was an interesting perspective for the story to take and added a unique dimension to the plot.
An enjoyable read for the characters and the tough subjects it tackles in an emotionally sensitive and informative way.
November 24, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot. The story line was fast paced and kept moving and the little bit of paranormal twist to it was good, however I wish it was played on a little more. Overall I liked the atmosphere of the story and character arcs of the story. So why the missing star? That ending kept going and going and going. It could have been shortened quite a bit for the same impact.
*I was provided a Ebook Arc by Netgalley and The Book Guild.
*I was provided a Ebook Arc by Netgalley and The Book Guild.
November 20, 2025
This book is a very well written and considered one that handle a difficult subject matter very well and compassionately.
It's really sad to see Mattie facing the challenges that she does but she comes through them all as a champion and is a great character to connect with. The characters generally are great if not all likeable.
It's a book that sucks you in and then spits you out whilst keeping you fully engrossed. You feel like you're in Lythm St Anne's with them.
It's sort of a thriller meets paranormal book and I'd highly recommend.
It's really sad to see Mattie facing the challenges that she does but she comes through them all as a champion and is a great character to connect with. The characters generally are great if not all likeable.
It's a book that sucks you in and then spits you out whilst keeping you fully engrossed. You feel like you're in Lythm St Anne's with them.
It's sort of a thriller meets paranormal book and I'd highly recommend.
November 22, 2025
3.5⭐️
Sitting Tenant had me hooked straight away and for the majority of the book I enjoyed the story, characters and the mysteries surrounding our fmc Mattie. Towards the end however, the "unknown enemy" in the story blindsided me. With no reference any other time in the book to them being the way they are suddenly portrayed... It was a feeling of where did that come from?!, rather than a good twist in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Guild for the arc copy for review.
Sitting Tenant had me hooked straight away and for the majority of the book I enjoyed the story, characters and the mysteries surrounding our fmc Mattie. Towards the end however, the "unknown enemy" in the story blindsided me. With no reference any other time in the book to them being the way they are suddenly portrayed... It was a feeling of where did that come from?!, rather than a good twist in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Guild for the arc copy for review.
November 25, 2025
Mattie has just come out of hospital after suffering with depression. She moves into a house she inherited from her aunt and is hoping the move and the change will offer some calm and stability to her life. But the house appears to have a sitting tenant that wasn’t part of the plan. Over time secrets of Mattie’s past start to come to light and as she tries to unravel this tangle of secrets sinister things start happening to her. It’s almost as though someone is trying to run her out of her new home. Mattie is desperately trying to build a new life, but life keeps throwing in obstacles. Even a fresh start can come with hidden shadows it seems.
•••••
My Thoughts:
I adored this book. It was such a unique and fun read. The short, snappy chapters and the interesting characters kept me completely engaged from start to finish. The story includes mental health representation, but with a bit of a twist that made it stand out.
When Mattie moves into her late aunt’s house, she instantly falls in love with the house and the eclectic décor. Mattie feels this could be just what she needs to start healing. But when she starts hearing voices again, she worries that the doctors will send her back to hospital.
I loved following Mattie’s journey as she starts to work out what’s going on, especially after she meets Lucas. The found family element was so heart-warming, I was completely invested in Mattie’s story and found myself totally endeared to her.
Mattie definitely had some hard times to contend with and while this story felt light-hearted and even comical at times, it also tackled serious themes such as Mental health, cultural identity, and racism, which gave the story an authentic portrayal of human experience.
Overall, I really enjoyed Sitting Tenant. The premise felt fresh, interesting and a little unusual. The story had heart, humour, and a touch of the supernatural, which I loved.
I would recommend this book ❤️
•••••
My Thoughts:
I adored this book. It was such a unique and fun read. The short, snappy chapters and the interesting characters kept me completely engaged from start to finish. The story includes mental health representation, but with a bit of a twist that made it stand out.
When Mattie moves into her late aunt’s house, she instantly falls in love with the house and the eclectic décor. Mattie feels this could be just what she needs to start healing. But when she starts hearing voices again, she worries that the doctors will send her back to hospital.
I loved following Mattie’s journey as she starts to work out what’s going on, especially after she meets Lucas. The found family element was so heart-warming, I was completely invested in Mattie’s story and found myself totally endeared to her.
Mattie definitely had some hard times to contend with and while this story felt light-hearted and even comical at times, it also tackled serious themes such as Mental health, cultural identity, and racism, which gave the story an authentic portrayal of human experience.
Overall, I really enjoyed Sitting Tenant. The premise felt fresh, interesting and a little unusual. The story had heart, humour, and a touch of the supernatural, which I loved.
I would recommend this book ❤️
November 19, 2025
Some houses are haunted, but not always by evil spirits.
The Sitting Tenant throws us right into the fray with Mattie as they're released from hospital and get a fresh start with a mysteriously inherited family home, a curiously eccentric late aunt to discover, family secrets to unravel and a new collection of worries to think about as the voices start again. But this time, they're different - everything is written in a way that creates this anxious irony where the reader figures things out much sooner than Mattie and we wait for them to catch up.
Mattie was honestly a delight; blunt and straightforward but funny and warm, talking to us in friendly, quick, but never rushed pace that flicked through with short chapters making it just so easily readable. Despite the excellent pacing, it was largely character-driven, with a large part of the book being about Mattie finding their footing, nightmare neighbours and CPN appointments which balances the strange voices and family skeletons creating a strange tableau of life at 47 Lodge Road.
The house itself was almost a character of itself, so vivid that it sprung to life on the page, painting colourfully perfect pictures of a truly enchanting, engrossing setting.
This was a solid 5 stars for me until around 75% when following a brilliant plot twist, the tone shifted quite a lot into a completely new vibe, a few plot devices used to explain felt a tad 'told-not-shown' in and the excitement kind of plateaued for me but I still very much enjoyed most of this book.
While we're solving old familial secrets, figure out what on earth is happening in the house and trying to remain sane, there was also some beautifully handled discussions about mental health, about the judgement and stigma even from those who claim to love you or protect you - and a moving story about chosen family and love.
The Sitting Tenant throws us right into the fray with Mattie as they're released from hospital and get a fresh start with a mysteriously inherited family home, a curiously eccentric late aunt to discover, family secrets to unravel and a new collection of worries to think about as the voices start again. But this time, they're different - everything is written in a way that creates this anxious irony where the reader figures things out much sooner than Mattie and we wait for them to catch up.
Mattie was honestly a delight; blunt and straightforward but funny and warm, talking to us in friendly, quick, but never rushed pace that flicked through with short chapters making it just so easily readable. Despite the excellent pacing, it was largely character-driven, with a large part of the book being about Mattie finding their footing, nightmare neighbours and CPN appointments which balances the strange voices and family skeletons creating a strange tableau of life at 47 Lodge Road.
The house itself was almost a character of itself, so vivid that it sprung to life on the page, painting colourfully perfect pictures of a truly enchanting, engrossing setting.
This was a solid 5 stars for me until around 75% when following a brilliant plot twist, the tone shifted quite a lot into a completely new vibe, a few plot devices used to explain felt a tad 'told-not-shown' in and the excitement kind of plateaued for me but I still very much enjoyed most of this book.
While we're solving old familial secrets, figure out what on earth is happening in the house and trying to remain sane, there was also some beautifully handled discussions about mental health, about the judgement and stigma even from those who claim to love you or protect you - and a moving story about chosen family and love.
December 19, 2025
This book was not at all what I expected, but I did end up enjoying it. I thought it was going to be scary: a creepy tenant in a house you inherited- tell me more about that!! It was not scary- I would say it was a mix between cozy mystery and a women's lit. That being said, our protagonist, Mattie, is a likable character, and you can't help but to root for her. She discovers herself as the book continues and is better for doing so.
The synopsis gives some stuff away but I am always reticent to share too much, so I'll just say that the sitting tenant is not what you expect. The book is really about Mattie inheriting a house from a relative she didn't know she had and rethinking her life and how she wants to spend it. She opens herself up to new relationships and new experiences and grows as a character through that process. There are some hurdles along the way- I guess you could call them twists but I feel like I pretty quickly figured them all out. It also digs a little into racism, family dynamics, and mental health along the way. The ending of the book ties up everything in a neat little bow but honestly that is exactly what I expected after reading it.
Overall, I enjoyed this but it was very unexpected, and very much not scary. If you are expecting a psychological thriller, you won't get it, but if you like to see character development and take a break from the deeper stuff, you'll enjoy it. It's a quick read and Mattie is a character worth rooting for. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis gives some stuff away but I am always reticent to share too much, so I'll just say that the sitting tenant is not what you expect. The book is really about Mattie inheriting a house from a relative she didn't know she had and rethinking her life and how she wants to spend it. She opens herself up to new relationships and new experiences and grows as a character through that process. There are some hurdles along the way- I guess you could call them twists but I feel like I pretty quickly figured them all out. It also digs a little into racism, family dynamics, and mental health along the way. The ending of the book ties up everything in a neat little bow but honestly that is exactly what I expected after reading it.
Overall, I enjoyed this but it was very unexpected, and very much not scary. If you are expecting a psychological thriller, you won't get it, but if you like to see character development and take a break from the deeper stuff, you'll enjoy it. It's a quick read and Mattie is a character worth rooting for. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2025
Rosie Radcliffe’s second novel, Sitting Tenant, is a quietly powerful tale of resilience, secrets, and the fragile hope of starting over. At its heart is Mattie, a woman seeking refuge after personal collapse, who inherits a house from an aunt she never knew. What should be a sanctuary quickly becomes a labyrinth of hidden histories and unsettling presences.
Radcliffe excels at weaving domestic detail with creeping tension. The house itself feels alive—its sitting tenant a reminder that the past is never easily evicted. As Mattie unravels the truth about her mother, her birth, and the sister erased from family memory, the novel deepens into a meditation on identity and belonging. Yet just as she begins to root herself, a sinister campaign threatens to drive her out, blurring the line between psychological fragility and external menace.
What makes the story compelling is its balance: Radcliffe writes with warmth and humanity, even as she explores betrayal and fear. The Lancashire coast setting adds a quiet melancholy, grounding the suspense in everyday textures of place and community.
This is a novel for readers who love mysteries laced with emotional depth—a story about finding strength when the past refuses to stay buried, and about claiming a home not just in bricks and mortar, but in oneself.
With thanks to Rosie Radcliffe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Radcliffe excels at weaving domestic detail with creeping tension. The house itself feels alive—its sitting tenant a reminder that the past is never easily evicted. As Mattie unravels the truth about her mother, her birth, and the sister erased from family memory, the novel deepens into a meditation on identity and belonging. Yet just as she begins to root herself, a sinister campaign threatens to drive her out, blurring the line between psychological fragility and external menace.
What makes the story compelling is its balance: Radcliffe writes with warmth and humanity, even as she explores betrayal and fear. The Lancashire coast setting adds a quiet melancholy, grounding the suspense in everyday textures of place and community.
This is a novel for readers who love mysteries laced with emotional depth—a story about finding strength when the past refuses to stay buried, and about claiming a home not just in bricks and mortar, but in oneself.
With thanks to Rosie Radcliffe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
November 17, 2025
💭 #Qotd What's your ideal home decor style?
🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠
Title: Sitting Tenant
Author: Rosie Radcliffe
Pages: 279
UK publish date: 28th November 2025
Published by @thebookguildpublishing
(Synopsis added to comments)
⚠️ Protect yourself. Check any trigger warnings before reading.
Mattie has just inherited a new home.
Mattie also hears voices.
Is this all in her head?
This was such a good read. I enjoyed the self exploration journey that Mattie had within the story. The dynamic between neighbours and the representation of mental illnesses and how they can appear.
I did start this with the expectation of it being a suspenseful thriller. Instead this came out as more of a charming, paranormal mystery.
There was a mix of whodunnit. Tackling difficult society issues appropriately.
I did find it predictable but I found this a great read of the cosier variety, with wonderful characters and a ready read writing style.
🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠
You'll love this book if you like books that include;
- unreliable narrators
- family mysteries/drama
- inherited house
- lgbtqia rep
- fmc POC
- Whodunnit
- mental health representation
- paranormal mystery
- friends to lovers
- difficult topics of society - racism, mental health, family fallouts, violence
- under 300 pages
🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠
Has this book made it to your book shelf? Do you have a friend who would love this read? Let me know in the comments.
🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠
Title: Sitting Tenant
Author: Rosie Radcliffe
Pages: 279
UK publish date: 28th November 2025
Published by @thebookguildpublishing
(Synopsis added to comments)
⚠️ Protect yourself. Check any trigger warnings before reading.
Mattie has just inherited a new home.
Mattie also hears voices.
Is this all in her head?
This was such a good read. I enjoyed the self exploration journey that Mattie had within the story. The dynamic between neighbours and the representation of mental illnesses and how they can appear.
I did start this with the expectation of it being a suspenseful thriller. Instead this came out as more of a charming, paranormal mystery.
There was a mix of whodunnit. Tackling difficult society issues appropriately.
I did find it predictable but I found this a great read of the cosier variety, with wonderful characters and a ready read writing style.
🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠
You'll love this book if you like books that include;
- unreliable narrators
- family mysteries/drama
- inherited house
- lgbtqia rep
- fmc POC
- Whodunnit
- mental health representation
- paranormal mystery
- friends to lovers
- difficult topics of society - racism, mental health, family fallouts, violence
- under 300 pages
🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠🏘🏠
Has this book made it to your book shelf? Do you have a friend who would love this read? Let me know in the comments.
November 9, 2025
This story completely outshone my expectations. So well written and highly captivating. Actually it was such a wholesome read and really did wonders for my soul.
The story touches on subjects of threats, violence, racism, psychic abilities, mental health, fraud, found family and so much more in between. Never was there a dull moment.
I adored Mattie, she was such a lovely person and I truly had empathy for her at the situation she found herself in because it turned out the world can only conform to one sense of reality. If only more people were open minded.
What struck with me was how factual the author was about depression, mental health and what having depressive episodes look like. In the real world so many people go throwing the word depression around so lightly these days when its such a debilitating illness.
Lucas and tom oh such amazing characters, who knew love would find Mattie on her doorstep im so thankful she opened herself up for love again in the end.
Although some of the topics are distressing at times this story was truly a wonderful read.
Thank you to InstaBookTours The Book Guild Publishing and Rosie Radcliffe for the ARC.
The story touches on subjects of threats, violence, racism, psychic abilities, mental health, fraud, found family and so much more in between. Never was there a dull moment.
I adored Mattie, she was such a lovely person and I truly had empathy for her at the situation she found herself in because it turned out the world can only conform to one sense of reality. If only more people were open minded.
What struck with me was how factual the author was about depression, mental health and what having depressive episodes look like. In the real world so many people go throwing the word depression around so lightly these days when its such a debilitating illness.
Lucas and tom oh such amazing characters, who knew love would find Mattie on her doorstep im so thankful she opened herself up for love again in the end.
Although some of the topics are distressing at times this story was truly a wonderful read.
Thank you to InstaBookTours The Book Guild Publishing and Rosie Radcliffe for the ARC.
November 20, 2025
3.5 rounded up
“Sitting Tenant” weaves ghosts, mystery, and mental health together in a way that feels both heartfelt and thought-provoking. It does explore some heavy themes and stigma, so I’d definitely recommend checking the content warnings before diving in. I really appreciate when a book doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and this one handles them with care.
The writing is incredibly easy to slip into, and I found myself warming to most characters as they appeared. There’s an underlying sense of suspicion from early on, and the tension really ramps up around the 86% mark. I did guess quite a few of the twists — and some felt a little far-fetched — but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I still had a genuinely good time reading it, even if it took a wild turn that felt a little ridiculous.
What surprised me most was the warmth that runs through the darker moments. Despite the heavier elements, the story feels cosy and hopeful, with strong themes of second chances, rebuilding your life, and finding the people who make you feel at home. A comforting yet emotionally layered read.
“Sitting Tenant” weaves ghosts, mystery, and mental health together in a way that feels both heartfelt and thought-provoking. It does explore some heavy themes and stigma, so I’d definitely recommend checking the content warnings before diving in. I really appreciate when a book doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and this one handles them with care.
The writing is incredibly easy to slip into, and I found myself warming to most characters as they appeared. There’s an underlying sense of suspicion from early on, and the tension really ramps up around the 86% mark. I did guess quite a few of the twists — and some felt a little far-fetched — but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I still had a genuinely good time reading it, even if it took a wild turn that felt a little ridiculous.
What surprised me most was the warmth that runs through the darker moments. Despite the heavier elements, the story feels cosy and hopeful, with strong themes of second chances, rebuilding your life, and finding the people who make you feel at home. A comforting yet emotionally layered read.
December 26, 2025
Sitting Tenant is a tense, slow-burn psychological thriller that leans heavily into atmosphere and unease. From the beginning, there’s a constant feeling that something isn’t right — and that quiet dread only intensifies as the story unfolds.
What really stood out to me was the way tension is built through everyday situations. Small moments, crossed boundaries, and subtle shifts in power create a sense of paranoia that feels disturbingly realistic. Rather than relying on shock value, this story lets suspicion and fear creep in gradually, which made it incredibly effective.
The domestic setting adds another layer of discomfort — the idea that your own home can become unsafe is what makes this book so compelling. The psychological manipulation and escalating control kept me hooked, and I found myself constantly questioning motives and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Huge thank you to Rosie Radcliffe, NetGalley, and The Book Guild for the ARC. I would highly recommend Sitting Tenant to readers who enjoy atmospheric domestic thrillers, slow-building suspense, and stories that get under your skin rather than relying on nonstop action.
What really stood out to me was the way tension is built through everyday situations. Small moments, crossed boundaries, and subtle shifts in power create a sense of paranoia that feels disturbingly realistic. Rather than relying on shock value, this story lets suspicion and fear creep in gradually, which made it incredibly effective.
The domestic setting adds another layer of discomfort — the idea that your own home can become unsafe is what makes this book so compelling. The psychological manipulation and escalating control kept me hooked, and I found myself constantly questioning motives and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Huge thank you to Rosie Radcliffe, NetGalley, and The Book Guild for the ARC. I would highly recommend Sitting Tenant to readers who enjoy atmospheric domestic thrillers, slow-building suspense, and stories that get under your skin rather than relying on nonstop action.
November 25, 2025
*Big thanks to the Book Guild and NetGalley for my first ever ARC!!*
Sitting Tenant is literary fiction with supernatural elements about Mattie-a British mathematician with depression-who hears voices. After being released from the hospital she inherits her long lost aunt’s house and gets a fresh start but the voices don’t stop and soon more curious things start to happen.
The book is little slow to start, but picked up as the twists and revelations came to light near the halfway point. The big reveal at the end was a little too obvious for me and I think could have benefitted from more build-up. The ending also felt a bit rushed but overall the story was very interesting and it was well-written. The author also does a great job tackling difficult subject matter including mental health and racism.
Read if…
- you like family drama
- You want an easy read that manages to tackle difficult topics
Skip if…
- you don’t care for books with supernatural elements
- You want something that makes your heart race (there’s a mystery to it but nothing crazy)
Sitting Tenant is literary fiction with supernatural elements about Mattie-a British mathematician with depression-who hears voices. After being released from the hospital she inherits her long lost aunt’s house and gets a fresh start but the voices don’t stop and soon more curious things start to happen.
The book is little slow to start, but picked up as the twists and revelations came to light near the halfway point. The big reveal at the end was a little too obvious for me and I think could have benefitted from more build-up. The ending also felt a bit rushed but overall the story was very interesting and it was well-written. The author also does a great job tackling difficult subject matter including mental health and racism.
Read if…
- you like family drama
- You want an easy read that manages to tackle difficult topics
Skip if…
- you don’t care for books with supernatural elements
- You want something that makes your heart race (there’s a mystery to it but nothing crazy)
November 5, 2025
This was such a wholesome book. It had romance, ghostly voices, threats, violence and found family. This book was just what I needed, such a great story. I adored Mattie, she was such a strong well written character. How she overcomes her 'mental illness' with her true reality was so powerfully portrayed. I liked how this showed what having depressive episodes can really be like and thought it was very well put across. I loved Emilie and her eclectic, eccentric house. Lucas was a sweetheart from the beginning and I knew I'd end up loving his character. I hated Nigel and Davina with a passion and had bad vibes from the beginning with them two, stuck up and demanding erghhh! 😅 Tom was another great character, I liked how he just fit into place in the end and did everything he could to help Mattie with her problems throughout the novel. Overall, this was an amazing book in my opinion and will be recommending to everyone to go and read it!
November 14, 2025
Review of ‘Sitting Tenant’ by Rosie Radcliffe, due to be published on 28 November 2025 by The Book Guild.
Fresh from suffering a breakdown and learning her job contract is not going to be renewed, Mattie receives life changing news that she has inherited a house from an Aunt she didn’t know existed, relocating from York to Lytham.
Mattie connects with her neighbour, Lucas, who tells her stories about her Aunt Emilie, and urges her to contact her mother, Sofie, to find answers to the questions of her secret past.
There are a wealth of supporting characters, who all have an important place in Mattie’s life and helping her to move forward. All are relatable, and easy to like - well with the exception of ‘those’ who want her to leave!
Whilst Mattie is a complex character, this is a joyful, engaging and beautifully written story, with the power of love, friendship and learning to be your true self at its core.
Well written and compelling, a definite recommended read.
Fresh from suffering a breakdown and learning her job contract is not going to be renewed, Mattie receives life changing news that she has inherited a house from an Aunt she didn’t know existed, relocating from York to Lytham.
Mattie connects with her neighbour, Lucas, who tells her stories about her Aunt Emilie, and urges her to contact her mother, Sofie, to find answers to the questions of her secret past.
There are a wealth of supporting characters, who all have an important place in Mattie’s life and helping her to move forward. All are relatable, and easy to like - well with the exception of ‘those’ who want her to leave!
Whilst Mattie is a complex character, this is a joyful, engaging and beautifully written story, with the power of love, friendship and learning to be your true self at its core.
Well written and compelling, a definite recommended read.
January 1, 2026
There are times when I want to be really wrong about twists in a book, and when I really want to be right. I was right about a lot of the twists in this book. I don't think that makes them predictable. I think for a second book written by someone whose first novel was published at age 70, it's pretty good, and I think the writing will only get better. If you ignore the domestic thriller aspect of it and just follow Mattie's story, it's about a young woman recovering from a mental breakdown who is facing challenges that could derail her sanity and her mental health again at any moment, and you will likely find yourself rooting for her, that she makes it out okay.
I did feel that there were a few things that needed to be tightened up, like the ending. There were a few details that seemingly came out of nowhere and a couple events I found a little implausible,
Overall, I really did enjoy the book. I look forward to more books by this author.
I did feel that there were a few things that needed to be tightened up, like the ending. There were a few details that seemingly came out of nowhere and a couple events I found a little implausible,
Overall, I really did enjoy the book. I look forward to more books by this author.
December 3, 2025
A much needed new start is on the cards for Mattie, when she inherits an old house from her aunt. Mattie has always battled her mental health and is definitely misunderstood, especially by her own mother, who she rarely has contact with, due to her mother’s difficulties in understanding her struggles. Relatable!
There is a “presence” in the house, a voice in Mattie’s head, that frustrated and annoyed her, but provided much amusement to me! And there’s a very real threat to Mattie, in the shape of someone who would prefer she chose the option of selling the house.
This was a very enjoyable read, tender and raw, with a touch of mystery. Predictable in parts, but Mattie’s engaging personality was the overriding factor.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rosie Radcliffe and The Book Guild for an ARC of this book.
There is a “presence” in the house, a voice in Mattie’s head, that frustrated and annoyed her, but provided much amusement to me! And there’s a very real threat to Mattie, in the shape of someone who would prefer she chose the option of selling the house.
This was a very enjoyable read, tender and raw, with a touch of mystery. Predictable in parts, but Mattie’s engaging personality was the overriding factor.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rosie Radcliffe and The Book Guild for an ARC of this book.
December 18, 2025
Sitting Tenant is a great page-turner. It’s hard to write a review without giving spoilers though! I enjoyed following Mattie’s determination to make the most of the twist of fate that took her to Lytham St Annes. It should have been a Cinderella story for her but there were no end of set-backs, threatening to ruin everything. I love a book with a supernatural edge to it and this one fitted the bill perfectly. I wondered how similar to Rosie Radcliffe’s first book (Frankie & Dot) this would be; I was pleased that they are quite different yet equally good reads! Looking forward to the next book from this author.
December 9, 2025
Sitting Tenant 🏡
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
I flew through this book!! I could not put it down as it kept me so hooked.
I loved the characters, especially Lucas, and if I could live in Aunt Emilie’s house, I would! 😍
I’ve not read anything like this before, the storyline was so clever and it kept me guessing to the end. It also has an important focus on mental health, which I loved.
Thank you to @instabooktours @rosieradcliffewrites @thebookguildpublishing for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
I flew through this book!! I could not put it down as it kept me so hooked.
I loved the characters, especially Lucas, and if I could live in Aunt Emilie’s house, I would! 😍
I’ve not read anything like this before, the storyline was so clever and it kept me guessing to the end. It also has an important focus on mental health, which I loved.
Thank you to @instabooktours @rosieradcliffewrites @thebookguildpublishing for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
Sitting Tenant is an easy, enjoyable read with Mattie, who hears voices, at its centre. You want to root for and her life to come good. The author deftly describes the mental health system and challenges, but this is a book with a light touch about finding yourself and the ones you love - without wanting to give any spoilers! The setting and the house are well described, so a real treat for those familiar with Lytham St. Anne’s. A slice of relatable life with a touch of magic and mystery for readers who enjoy a book that gives you a warm ending.
January 30, 2026
Another excellent book by this author. I really enjoy how she weaves her stories with page-turning plots. Easy to give spoilers away, so I will just say that it is five stars from me and I hope there is more to come.
November 26, 2025
fun, intense, and interestingly-plotted book with fantastic vibes. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would recommend.
December 19, 2025
❤️ Sitting Tenant by Rosie Radcliffe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC Review)
This story went far beyond my expectations. It was so well written and absolutely captivating that I couldn’t put it down. Sitting Tenant was my first time reading Rosie Radcliffe’s work, and I can honestly say I loved it. It’s the perfect autumn read. I adored the cover design and the title. They instantly pulled me in. The author’s writing style and narration felt incredibly professional, making it such an easy and engaging read to get through. This is an amazing book in my opinion and will be recommending to everyone. If you enjoy mystery and suspense stories , and autumn is your favorite season to curl up with them, then you should definitely give this book a try. It may not be suitable for all age groups due to some triggering content, so please check. It will be released on 28 Nov 2025. Don’t miss it. Also, a note to myself (and to you): add Frankie & Dot to your TBR!
This is an ARC review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for kindly sending me this physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story went far beyond my expectations. It was so well written and absolutely captivating that I couldn’t put it down. Sitting Tenant was my first time reading Rosie Radcliffe’s work, and I can honestly say I loved it. It’s the perfect autumn read. I adored the cover design and the title. They instantly pulled me in. The author’s writing style and narration felt incredibly professional, making it such an easy and engaging read to get through. This is an amazing book in my opinion and will be recommending to everyone. If you enjoy mystery and suspense stories , and autumn is your favorite season to curl up with them, then you should definitely give this book a try. It may not be suitable for all age groups due to some triggering content, so please check. It will be released on 28 Nov 2025. Don’t miss it. Also, a note to myself (and to you): add Frankie & Dot to your TBR!
This is an ARC review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for kindly sending me this physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2026
Sitting Tenant is a perfectly fine book. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't quite this. I have no doubt people will LOVE this book, but it just wasn't for me. The story was easy to follow, but there were a lot of different threads. It almost seems like it doesn't quite know what kind of book it wants to be.
January 17, 2026
Well well well 👏 this book completely surprised me! I thought I kind of knew what direction the story might go in once I’d started reading but it turns out I was so very wrong!
Mattie is one of my favourite characters I’ve read through the eyes of in a long time. Quick-witted, straight to the point and hilarious despite unsettling surroundings and harrowing incidents. I really enjoyed reading this book through Mattie’s voice and felt myself almost gliding through the story.
Although Sitting Tenant could be quite light-hearted, there are really serious and sensitive topics explored to do with mental illnesses, loneliness, racism and betrayal. For me, this made the balance of warmth and humour while unpicking those tender subjects all the more important and refreshing.
A super readable and heavily character-driven quirky book which I very much enjoyed.
Mattie is one of my favourite characters I’ve read through the eyes of in a long time. Quick-witted, straight to the point and hilarious despite unsettling surroundings and harrowing incidents. I really enjoyed reading this book through Mattie’s voice and felt myself almost gliding through the story.
Although Sitting Tenant could be quite light-hearted, there are really serious and sensitive topics explored to do with mental illnesses, loneliness, racism and betrayal. For me, this made the balance of warmth and humour while unpicking those tender subjects all the more important and refreshing.
A super readable and heavily character-driven quirky book which I very much enjoyed.
February 10, 2026
I was approved to read this ARC through NetGalley and The Book Guide last year, and I was thrilled to do so. I really liked this book from the very beginning. Rosie has a beautiful writing style that makes us feel deeply engaged with the characters, and I could truly sense Mattie’s pain as she navigated her mental health.
There is a subtle mystery that kept me thinking on every page: what those voices really were and why she heard them? It’s a cozy mystery you can read very quickly, while still reflecting on mental health, love, and the people you choose to share your life with.
There is a subtle mystery that kept me thinking on every page: what those voices really were and why she heard them? It’s a cozy mystery you can read very quickly, while still reflecting on mental health, love, and the people you choose to share your life with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews