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Who's With Liam: A Southern Psychological Horror
Who’s With Liam
by David A LambertLiam wasn’t alone when his sister died.
And whatever found him that day never left.
He stood on the porch and watched the car take her. He held her hand in the street while the life slipped out of it, and something else settled in beside him—quiet, patient, and unnoticed by everyone else.
In the weeks that follow, his family begins to fracture. His mother throws herself into work, trying to outrun the loss. His father disappears into long shifts at the hospital. The house grows still, heavy with a silence that doesn’t feel empty anymore.
It feels occupied.
When they leave Philadelphia for a small town outside Knoxville, the change is supposed to help. A fresh start. A quieter place. But the distance between them only deepens, and the feeling that began the day Iris died doesn’t fade.
It gets closer.
Then Liam meets Jerico.
Jerico doesn’t ask him to move on. He doesn’t treat him like something broken. He listens. He understands. He stays when no one else does. And for the first time since the accident, Liam doesn’t feel alone.
But Jerico wasn’t there before.
No one else can see him.
And the more Liam leans on him, the harder it becomes to tell where the comfort ends… and something else begins.
Because Jerico doesn’t force anything.
He doesn’t need to.
By the time anyone realizes what’s happening—
it will already be too late to ask the only question that matters.
A chilling southern psychological horror about grief, control, and the moment help comes too late.
by David A LambertLiam wasn’t alone when his sister died.
And whatever found him that day never left.
He stood on the porch and watched the car take her. He held her hand in the street while the life slipped out of it, and something else settled in beside him—quiet, patient, and unnoticed by everyone else.
In the weeks that follow, his family begins to fracture. His mother throws herself into work, trying to outrun the loss. His father disappears into long shifts at the hospital. The house grows still, heavy with a silence that doesn’t feel empty anymore.
It feels occupied.
When they leave Philadelphia for a small town outside Knoxville, the change is supposed to help. A fresh start. A quieter place. But the distance between them only deepens, and the feeling that began the day Iris died doesn’t fade.
It gets closer.
Then Liam meets Jerico.
Jerico doesn’t ask him to move on. He doesn’t treat him like something broken. He listens. He understands. He stays when no one else does. And for the first time since the accident, Liam doesn’t feel alone.
But Jerico wasn’t there before.
No one else can see him.
And the more Liam leans on him, the harder it becomes to tell where the comfort ends… and something else begins.
Because Jerico doesn’t force anything.
He doesn’t need to.
By the time anyone realizes what’s happening—
it will already be too late to ask the only question that matters.
A chilling southern psychological horror about grief, control, and the moment help comes too late.
- GenresHorror
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
David Lambert
18 books11 followersStep into the world of David A. Lambert, a storyteller whose life reads like one of his own captivating novels. Known affectionately as "Pappy" to friends and readers alike, David crafts tales shaped by a life of extraordinary experiences and global adventures.
Born in the gritty landscapes of Manchester, New Hampshire in 1964, David's journey from Marine Corps veteran to acclaimed author embodies the American spirit of reinvention. His eleven years of military service instilled in him a discipline and perspective that breathes authenticity into every page he writes. Whether you're exploring the supernatural tensions in his Revenant Chronicles or following the calculated precision of his Colton Cross thrillers, you'll feel the influence of a man who has truly lived the spectrum of human experience.
Just three years ago, David embarked on his writing odyssey, transforming from puzzle creator to masterful novelist with remarkable speed. His diverse professional background—from digital mapping director to manufacturing supervisor to his current role as a dedicated family clinic nurse—infuses his narratives with technical precision and profound human understanding that readers consistently praise.
Discover his gripping standalone titles like "Hushbone," "Rangatang," "The Devil's Mouth," "Cane Creek," —each offering a unique window into David's imaginative landscape. For series enthusiasts, the Revenant Chronicles ("Crimson Horizon" and "Fractured Horizon") delivers supernatural suspense that will keep you awake long past midnight, while the Colton Cross Contract Killing series ("Cross The Line" and "Burning Cross") introduces you to a protagonist whose moral complexity will haunt you long after the final page. Under his pen name Michael K Piper, "Jazz Town" and "Black Town" showcase different facets of his versatile storytelling ability.
From the mountains of East Tennessee, where he now makes his home with his loyal cat Athena, David draws inspiration from a life lived across continents. Having resided in Japan, Korea, Poland, Belgium, Hawaii, and numerous American states, his narratives resonate with cultural insights that transform ordinary stories into extraordinary journeys. When not creating new worlds on the page, this father of three enjoys life's simple pleasures—watching sports, attending theater, exploring local restaurants, and of course, losing himself in a good book.
Join the growing community of readers who have discovered the immersive worlds of David A. Lambert, an author whose life experiences and genuine love for storytelling shine through in every carefully crafted word.
Born in the gritty landscapes of Manchester, New Hampshire in 1964, David's journey from Marine Corps veteran to acclaimed author embodies the American spirit of reinvention. His eleven years of military service instilled in him a discipline and perspective that breathes authenticity into every page he writes. Whether you're exploring the supernatural tensions in his Revenant Chronicles or following the calculated precision of his Colton Cross thrillers, you'll feel the influence of a man who has truly lived the spectrum of human experience.
Just three years ago, David embarked on his writing odyssey, transforming from puzzle creator to masterful novelist with remarkable speed. His diverse professional background—from digital mapping director to manufacturing supervisor to his current role as a dedicated family clinic nurse—infuses his narratives with technical precision and profound human understanding that readers consistently praise.
Discover his gripping standalone titles like "Hushbone," "Rangatang," "The Devil's Mouth," "Cane Creek," —each offering a unique window into David's imaginative landscape. For series enthusiasts, the Revenant Chronicles ("Crimson Horizon" and "Fractured Horizon") delivers supernatural suspense that will keep you awake long past midnight, while the Colton Cross Contract Killing series ("Cross The Line" and "Burning Cross") introduces you to a protagonist whose moral complexity will haunt you long after the final page. Under his pen name Michael K Piper, "Jazz Town" and "Black Town" showcase different facets of his versatile storytelling ability.
From the mountains of East Tennessee, where he now makes his home with his loyal cat Athena, David draws inspiration from a life lived across continents. Having resided in Japan, Korea, Poland, Belgium, Hawaii, and numerous American states, his narratives resonate with cultural insights that transform ordinary stories into extraordinary journeys. When not creating new worlds on the page, this father of three enjoys life's simple pleasures—watching sports, attending theater, exploring local restaurants, and of course, losing himself in a good book.
Join the growing community of readers who have discovered the immersive worlds of David A. Lambert, an author whose life experiences and genuine love for storytelling shine through in every carefully crafted word.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 7, 2026
I think this could have been a really good book if it was about 100 pages shorter. It was super repetitive and was hard to push through until about 70%. It didn't end how I expected, but I did enjoy that last 30% more.
May 19, 2026
This book had so much potential. The story was great, but so repetitive. I understand the need for the antagonist to be repetitive to the child as a means of manipulation, but it was sooo repetitive that it was almost like the writer hit copy and paste to the next page. I had to make sure several times that i wasn’t rereading the same page. Also the verbiage used for a supposed 7 yr old was unrealistic in a way that i couldn’t get past.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2026
Omg this was such a good read! So happy I added this to my spooky season read, because this definitely gave me the creeps and omg that ending made my heart hurt and shocked at the same time. Highly reccomend this one!
May 21, 2026
This book was a nice change of pace from the fantasy books I read. It was scary, creepy, and jaw dropping at the end!
September 2, 2026
If I could rate a book with half stars, I would rate this as a 1.5.
I was so annoyed with this book. As a self-proclaimed horror novel, I was never scared nor terrified. It was way too long and could have been better as a short story or novella. And the main character, the eponymous Liam, didn’t read like a child but rather a young adult. I honestly got to about 30% before I started skimming the book.
My chief complaint (as my chief complaint anytime there is a child POV) is that Liam, a CHILD, speaks and thinks like a young adult. What elementary school child recognizes that they’re being psychoanalyzed by a therapist when they’ve never been to therapy? What child responds in full, eloquent sentences without contractions, yet is also depicted as being exceedingly average at school work? What child is observant enough and has the insight and wisdom to read into adults minds and understand what they are feeling? I have very rarely liked child POVs for this reason.
My second main complaint is that it is too damn long. Half of the book is Liam being isolated by Jerico, and A LOT of it is just the same thing repeated over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.
To me, the greatest fear is fear of the unknown. We know fairly early on who’s with Liam, and we know very early on that Jerico is some sort of ghost/evil entity. Yes, Liam does some horrendous things that he really doesn’t want to do while possessed by Jerico, but you can see them coming a mile away.
I think a better version of this story could have been told through the perspective of Liam’s mother rather than through Liam himself. It could have explored her grief over losing her daughter, finding purpose after her loss, then slowly realizing something is wrong with her son while her husband is pulling away, and then trying to save him from Jerico. Now I’m angry this wasn’t the version as it would have been probably a way better read.
The only reason I’m giving this book a two rating is because I do believe it is a decent exploration of social isolation abuse. (NOTE: I think this is the term for when an abuser isolates their victim? Google helpfully gave me the National Domestic Violence Hotline number, which is 800-799-7233, when I Googled it. Now Google probably thinks I’m being abused. RIP my search history.)
So read this book if you like lack-luster horror, a book that is way too long, child POVs that reads more like an adult, and a decent exploration of social isolation abuse. (Also, RIP my search history.)
I was so annoyed with this book. As a self-proclaimed horror novel, I was never scared nor terrified. It was way too long and could have been better as a short story or novella. And the main character, the eponymous Liam, didn’t read like a child but rather a young adult. I honestly got to about 30% before I started skimming the book.
My chief complaint (as my chief complaint anytime there is a child POV) is that Liam, a CHILD, speaks and thinks like a young adult. What elementary school child recognizes that they’re being psychoanalyzed by a therapist when they’ve never been to therapy? What child responds in full, eloquent sentences without contractions, yet is also depicted as being exceedingly average at school work? What child is observant enough and has the insight and wisdom to read into adults minds and understand what they are feeling? I have very rarely liked child POVs for this reason.
My second main complaint is that it is too damn long. Half of the book is Liam being isolated by Jerico, and A LOT of it is just the same thing repeated over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.
To me, the greatest fear is fear of the unknown. We know fairly early on who’s with Liam, and we know very early on that Jerico is some sort of ghost/evil entity. Yes, Liam does some horrendous things that he really doesn’t want to do while possessed by Jerico, but you can see them coming a mile away.
I think a better version of this story could have been told through the perspective of Liam’s mother rather than through Liam himself. It could have explored her grief over losing her daughter, finding purpose after her loss, then slowly realizing something is wrong with her son while her husband is pulling away, and then trying to save him from Jerico. Now I’m angry this wasn’t the version as it would have been probably a way better read.
The only reason I’m giving this book a two rating is because I do believe it is a decent exploration of social isolation abuse. (NOTE: I think this is the term for when an abuser isolates their victim? Google helpfully gave me the National Domestic Violence Hotline number, which is 800-799-7233, when I Googled it. Now Google probably thinks I’m being abused. RIP my search history.)
So read this book if you like lack-luster horror, a book that is way too long, child POVs that reads more like an adult, and a decent exploration of social isolation abuse. (Also, RIP my search history.)
July 23, 2026
I enjoyed the storyline, but I really struggled with how repetitive the writing felt. I understand the need to build atmosphere and set the scene, but it became overly descriptive to the point where it slowed the pacing. I honestly think the book could have been 50 pages shorter without losing anything important.
I also felt the ending was rushed. After spending so much time on detailed descriptions throughout the book, the final chapters wrapped everything up surprisingly quickly. By that point, though, I was eager to finish. There’s only so many different ways you can describe silence, loneliness, and fear before it starts to feel repetitive.
I also felt the ending was rushed. After spending so much time on detailed descriptions throughout the book, the final chapters wrapped everything up surprisingly quickly. By that point, though, I was eager to finish. There’s only so many different ways you can describe silence, loneliness, and fear before it starts to feel repetitive.
July 23, 2026
3.5 Rounded up
Holy Crap! Wow.
Okay, lets start with the good. Its creepy. Its about an imaginary friend. Its about possession, manipulation and total control. A slow burn that is well worth it. Ending was okay.
The bad:
There is a LOT of repitition in this book. Many sentences repeat. The author uses the word "Present" a lot. Broken sentences and grammatical errors throughout.
Stil a great story, just could have used a good amount of editing and maybe a little bit shorter.
Holy Crap! Wow.
Okay, lets start with the good. Its creepy. Its about an imaginary friend. Its about possession, manipulation and total control. A slow burn that is well worth it. Ending was okay.
The bad:
There is a LOT of repitition in this book. Many sentences repeat. The author uses the word "Present" a lot. Broken sentences and grammatical errors throughout.
Stil a great story, just could have used a good amount of editing and maybe a little bit shorter.
July 12, 2026
I might have finished this one, but the writing style is so annoying and choppy that I can't.
August 18, 2026
Welp. That was not for me. I just feel sorry for Little Liam, it did not go well for him at all.
May 7, 2026
Just don’t
I don’t know if this started out as a chapter by chapter story that was published on the internet, but that’s how it reads. Each new chapter repeats the end of the last. The wording is so repetitive, like it was almost trying to be a poem. Also if there were trigger warnings I missed them. !!!!!! spoiler!!!!!!!!!!
The dog dies….
I don’t know if this started out as a chapter by chapter story that was published on the internet, but that’s how it reads. Each new chapter repeats the end of the last. The wording is so repetitive, like it was almost trying to be a poem. Also if there were trigger warnings I missed them. !!!!!! spoiler!!!!!!!!!!
The dog dies….
July 20, 2026
Let's get the negatives out of the way first...
This book did not need to be this long. There were so many moments that felt repetitive, entire scenes that could have been cut, and explanations that were repeated over and over. And don't even get me started on the constant short, sharp sentences. It felt like my brain was ricocheting around inside my skull trying to keep up.
Next, we need to address the real villain of this book...
The word "present."
I genuinely thought I was losing my mind because it felt like every other page was talking about someone's presence or someone being present. Turns out I wasn't imagining it. I searched my Kindle...
- "Present" - 69 times.
- "Presence" - 62 times.
131 times. Absolutely unnecessary and excessive.
Now for the good stuff...
Despite my frustrations, the actual story was really compelling. Just make sure you've got tissues nearby because this book absolutely knows how to punch you in the feelings. Iris, Liam, Mason and Ivy completely broke me.
Trigger warnings: there are some emotional scenes involving a puppy and a few scenes where a child is injured, so keep that in mind.
The grief woven through this story felt painfully authentic. At times it became almost suffocating, dragging me right into the characters' heartbreak and reminding me just how heavy grief can feel.
Jerico was brilliantly unsettling. The manipulation, the gaslighting, the constant psychological unease... all incredibly well done. And those final scenes between Jerico and Liam? Absolutely gripping.
But...
...I fucking hated that ending.
After everything this book built towards, the ending completely missed the mark for me and left me feeling more frustrated than satisfied.
🩸 The Panic Verdict: Don't know if I liked it or loathed it but that ending made me want to throw my Kindle across the room.
This book did not need to be this long. There were so many moments that felt repetitive, entire scenes that could have been cut, and explanations that were repeated over and over. And don't even get me started on the constant short, sharp sentences. It felt like my brain was ricocheting around inside my skull trying to keep up.
Next, we need to address the real villain of this book...
The word "present."
I genuinely thought I was losing my mind because it felt like every other page was talking about someone's presence or someone being present. Turns out I wasn't imagining it. I searched my Kindle...
- "Present" - 69 times.
- "Presence" - 62 times.
131 times. Absolutely unnecessary and excessive.
Now for the good stuff...
Despite my frustrations, the actual story was really compelling. Just make sure you've got tissues nearby because this book absolutely knows how to punch you in the feelings. Iris, Liam, Mason and Ivy completely broke me.
Trigger warnings: there are some emotional scenes involving a puppy and a few scenes where a child is injured, so keep that in mind.
The grief woven through this story felt painfully authentic. At times it became almost suffocating, dragging me right into the characters' heartbreak and reminding me just how heavy grief can feel.
Jerico was brilliantly unsettling. The manipulation, the gaslighting, the constant psychological unease... all incredibly well done. And those final scenes between Jerico and Liam? Absolutely gripping.
But...
...I fucking hated that ending.
After everything this book built towards, the ending completely missed the mark for me and left me feeling more frustrated than satisfied.
🩸 The Panic Verdict: Don't know if I liked it or loathed it but that ending made me want to throw my Kindle across the room.
July 2, 2026
My mind is still processing this one. If you’re into psychological horror that crawls under your skin rather than relying on cheap jump scares, this needs to be on your TBR.
What I Absolutely Loved
-David A. Lambert knows how to write authentic human connection. The dynamic between Liam and his sister, Iris, felt so incredibly genuine and relatable,just pure, honest sibling banter.
-The exploration of grief: The way the family’s grieving process is written is heartbreakingly beautiful. The author captures how tragedy fractures people differently. My heart broke for Liam, who is not only carrying the weight of losing his sister but also the pain of feeling invisible to his grieving parents.
-The Character Development: Absolutely spot on. You get so invested in Liam's headspace.
-There is a dog in this book named Ivy, and the author captures dog mannerisms perfectly! I was literally smiling through her scenes,so sweet and realistic.
The pacing definitely tests you! At times, I felt like this could have been a much quicker, shorter story. But honestly? I see what the author was doing there. He really wanted to tickle our psyche and get under our skin. The repetition and the feeling that there’s no way out for Liam makes you feel just as trapped and frustrated as he is.
As for the ending, I'm sitting right at a 50/50 split,I didn't hate it, but I didn't completely love it either. It left me with a lot of questions and thoughts, which is honestly the sign of a good psychological horror!
This was my very first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to checking out his other work.
What I Absolutely Loved
-David A. Lambert knows how to write authentic human connection. The dynamic between Liam and his sister, Iris, felt so incredibly genuine and relatable,just pure, honest sibling banter.
-The exploration of grief: The way the family’s grieving process is written is heartbreakingly beautiful. The author captures how tragedy fractures people differently. My heart broke for Liam, who is not only carrying the weight of losing his sister but also the pain of feeling invisible to his grieving parents.
-The Character Development: Absolutely spot on. You get so invested in Liam's headspace.
-There is a dog in this book named Ivy, and the author captures dog mannerisms perfectly! I was literally smiling through her scenes,so sweet and realistic.
The pacing definitely tests you! At times, I felt like this could have been a much quicker, shorter story. But honestly? I see what the author was doing there. He really wanted to tickle our psyche and get under our skin. The repetition and the feeling that there’s no way out for Liam makes you feel just as trapped and frustrated as he is.
As for the ending, I'm sitting right at a 50/50 split,I didn't hate it, but I didn't completely love it either. It left me with a lot of questions and thoughts, which is honestly the sign of a good psychological horror!
This was my very first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to checking out his other work.
September 27, 2026
Loss is such a tricky concept. It finds you when you’re at your weakest and most vulnerable, when you’re desperate for comfort and will reach for it wherever you can find it. Now imagine experiencing that kind of trauma as a child.
Liam finds comfort and guidance in an entity that seems to understand exactly what he needs—but that comfort comes at a price. What modern medicine sees as dissociation may be something far more sinister. This isn’t an illness that can simply be treated. This is possession, and there may be only one way out. The question is: who will be able to find the answer before it’s too late?
This story will break your heart again and again. Liam’s struggles are absolutely heartbreaking, and watching him endure everything that is thrown at him is incredibly difficult. No child should ever have to suffer this much. He didn’t ask for any of it, yet he ends up facing far more than anyone could have anticipated.
This was a deeply emotional and disturbing story that takes the concept of grief, trauma, and the need for comfort and turns it into something truly terrifying. Liam’s journey will stay with me for a long time.
Liam finds comfort and guidance in an entity that seems to understand exactly what he needs—but that comfort comes at a price. What modern medicine sees as dissociation may be something far more sinister. This isn’t an illness that can simply be treated. This is possession, and there may be only one way out. The question is: who will be able to find the answer before it’s too late?
This story will break your heart again and again. Liam’s struggles are absolutely heartbreaking, and watching him endure everything that is thrown at him is incredibly difficult. No child should ever have to suffer this much. He didn’t ask for any of it, yet he ends up facing far more than anyone could have anticipated.
This was a deeply emotional and disturbing story that takes the concept of grief, trauma, and the need for comfort and turns it into something truly terrifying. Liam’s journey will stay with me for a long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2026
This book deserves so much more then 5 stars, this book will makes you experience every single emotion that exists..
I really enjoyed this.. even when it came with repeated phrases. This book really had me hooked, from beginning to end with all kinds of emotions happening. The characters were very likeable for the most part. Sometimes I felt Liam was older, with how he spoke or thought. Seemed very mature for a 7 year old.
It is very detailed and a slow burn. I do highly recommend reading this.. ( I hope it’s turned into a movie )
Our MC Liam is 7 years old, when he witnesses his sister Iris’s life being taken. What follows is something no one could’ve imagined, but Liam.
He meets the mysterious Jerico, who only Liam can see and hear. But something isn’t right. Jerico gets mad when Liam is needed or makes new friends or when people try to helo. No one cares for then Jerico.
Can Liam be helped with getting rid of Jerico or will Jerico be around forever?..
I really enjoyed this.. even when it came with repeated phrases. This book really had me hooked, from beginning to end with all kinds of emotions happening. The characters were very likeable for the most part. Sometimes I felt Liam was older, with how he spoke or thought. Seemed very mature for a 7 year old.
It is very detailed and a slow burn. I do highly recommend reading this.. ( I hope it’s turned into a movie )
Our MC Liam is 7 years old, when he witnesses his sister Iris’s life being taken. What follows is something no one could’ve imagined, but Liam.
He meets the mysterious Jerico, who only Liam can see and hear. But something isn’t right. Jerico gets mad when Liam is needed or makes new friends or when people try to helo. No one cares for then Jerico.
Can Liam be helped with getting rid of Jerico or will Jerico be around forever?..
May 21, 2026
I Need Therapy Now
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Would be 5, but I’m docking one star for emotional damages)
I have never wanted to square up with a hallucination so badly in my entire life.
This book is a masterclass in psychological horror, mostly because it psychologically tortured me. The antagonist is an imaginary friend to a seven-year-old, but instead of doing normal imaginary friend things like hiding shoes or stealing cookies, this entity is running a full scale, corporate- level gaslighting campaign.
The sheer audacity of this entity! It has this poor kid apologizing for things it did, rewriting history faster than a corrupt politician. I spent half the book yelling at the pages like a boomer watching a football game. If you enjoy books that make your eye twitch, give you mild heartburn, and force you to witness a first-grader get absolutely out maneuvered by a toxic figment of his own subconscious, this is the book for you. It’s fantastic. I hate it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Would be 5, but I’m docking one star for emotional damages)
I have never wanted to square up with a hallucination so badly in my entire life.
This book is a masterclass in psychological horror, mostly because it psychologically tortured me. The antagonist is an imaginary friend to a seven-year-old, but instead of doing normal imaginary friend things like hiding shoes or stealing cookies, this entity is running a full scale, corporate- level gaslighting campaign.
The sheer audacity of this entity! It has this poor kid apologizing for things it did, rewriting history faster than a corrupt politician. I spent half the book yelling at the pages like a boomer watching a football game. If you enjoy books that make your eye twitch, give you mild heartburn, and force you to witness a first-grader get absolutely out maneuvered by a toxic figment of his own subconscious, this is the book for you. It’s fantastic. I hate it.
June 1, 2026
Sigh.
This was really disappointing for me.
The beginning had me gripped immediately, the atmosphere was described perfectly during such a tumultuous time in not only this vulnerable little boy's life, but his parents as well, everything was laid out beautifully.
Then Jericho officially pops up and quite honestly it did not feel like I was reading the same book anymore. The dialogue and writing became extremely repetitive, there was no real character development for Liam, or his parents or the new nanny. His father basically doesn't exist he's gone so often.
The fact that no one even considered the possibility that the puppy passed in a nefarious manner was mind boggling to me.
And what the hell was that ending??
I finished this book about a week ago and kept dragging on how to rate it, how to review it etc. I wanted to DNF it halfway through, but pushed on because for whatever reason I was determined to see if the end made the journey worth it.
It did not.
This was really disappointing for me.
The beginning had me gripped immediately, the atmosphere was described perfectly during such a tumultuous time in not only this vulnerable little boy's life, but his parents as well, everything was laid out beautifully.
Then Jericho officially pops up and quite honestly it did not feel like I was reading the same book anymore. The dialogue and writing became extremely repetitive, there was no real character development for Liam, or his parents or the new nanny. His father basically doesn't exist he's gone so often.
The fact that no one even considered the possibility that the puppy passed in a nefarious manner was mind boggling to me.
And what the hell was that ending??
I finished this book about a week ago and kept dragging on how to rate it, how to review it etc. I wanted to DNF it halfway through, but pushed on because for whatever reason I was determined to see if the end made the journey worth it.
It did not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an incredible way to hook a reader from the very first page. This is a must-read for thriller and horror lovers alike. The story follows Liam, who is struggling after the tragic loss of his sister—until he meets an “imaginary” friend… or is he?
Dark, gripping, and deeply atmospheric, this book pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s the kind of page-turner that will have you up all night questioning everything. Lambert masterfully captures the manipulation and tension Liam experiences with his mysterious “friend,” making every moment feel unsettlingly real.
Absolutely a must-read—don’t miss it when it releases May 1st. #WhosWithLiam.
https://www.tiktok.com/@bellagia7742?...
Dark, gripping, and deeply atmospheric, this book pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s the kind of page-turner that will have you up all night questioning everything. Lambert masterfully captures the manipulation and tension Liam experiences with his mysterious “friend,” making every moment feel unsettlingly real.
Absolutely a must-read—don’t miss it when it releases May 1st. #WhosWithLiam.
https://www.tiktok.com/@bellagia7742?...
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time reading David Lambert and it definitely won’t be my last.
Who’s With Liam follows seven year old Liam after he witnesses his sister’s tragic death. From that moment on, he’s not the same. His family moves hoping for a fresh start, but that’s when Jerico appears. A boy only Liam can see.
Jerico feels like he’s always there. Watching. Lingering. What starts as comfort slowly turns into something much darker, and that constant presence made this feel incredibly creepy and unsettling the entire time.
This isn’t just horror. It really digs into grief and trauma, which made it even harder to watch unfold in someone so young.
It pulled me in right away and didn’t let go. Highly recommend.
This was my first time reading David Lambert and it definitely won’t be my last.
Who’s With Liam follows seven year old Liam after he witnesses his sister’s tragic death. From that moment on, he’s not the same. His family moves hoping for a fresh start, but that’s when Jerico appears. A boy only Liam can see.
Jerico feels like he’s always there. Watching. Lingering. What starts as comfort slowly turns into something much darker, and that constant presence made this feel incredibly creepy and unsettling the entire time.
This isn’t just horror. It really digs into grief and trauma, which made it even harder to watch unfold in someone so young.
It pulled me in right away and didn’t let go. Highly recommend.
June 14, 2026
Who’s With Liam by David A. Lambert
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!
This has quickly become one of my favorite books!! It is an amazing and dark psychological horror!
Liam, a 7 year old, has a horrible tragedy affect him, and he struggles to deal with this trauma. His family moves to get a fresh start and that’s when Liam meets Jericho, and their friendship begins.
This story had me fully engaged and I couldn’t stop reading! It’s very well written and is an extremely hauntingly deep and dark story. There is grief, loss, trauma, and an entity! I love the psychological horror that this story holds.
My jaw was on the floor, and this emotional and heavy read will stick with me.
The story took a direction that totally surprised me!!
***It’s out now and I highly recommend this read!!**
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!
This has quickly become one of my favorite books!! It is an amazing and dark psychological horror!
Liam, a 7 year old, has a horrible tragedy affect him, and he struggles to deal with this trauma. His family moves to get a fresh start and that’s when Liam meets Jericho, and their friendship begins.
This story had me fully engaged and I couldn’t stop reading! It’s very well written and is an extremely hauntingly deep and dark story. There is grief, loss, trauma, and an entity! I love the psychological horror that this story holds.
My jaw was on the floor, and this emotional and heavy read will stick with me.
The story took a direction that totally surprised me!!
***It’s out now and I highly recommend this read!!**
July 10, 2026
I couldn't finish this. At times it read like a rough draft, complete with redundant details as if the author was jotting down different ways of phrasing things. The repetition made it about twice as long as it needed to be. One character's appearance was described multiple times, always the same way. I stayed invested because the story itself was interesting, but what finally did me in was the writing style.
Every paragraph was choppy. In the same format. Some longer. Some shorter. Written just like this. Fragments. Phrases.
Tedious.
Tiresome.
Not a book I could stay engaged with. Not a book I looked forward to continuing. Not a book I can recommend. Not to you.
Not to anyone.
Not today.
Every paragraph was choppy. In the same format. Some longer. Some shorter. Written just like this. Fragments. Phrases.
Tedious.
Tiresome.
Not a book I could stay engaged with. Not a book I looked forward to continuing. Not a book I can recommend. Not to you.
Not to anyone.
Not today.
July 21, 2026
⭐️ DNF @ 34%
I picked this one up because that cover is creepy as shit and the premise sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, the cover ended up being the best part.
By 34%, it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. Nothing really moved the story forward, the suspense never built, and I kept waiting for it to get genuinely creepy…it just never did.
I finally looked up spoilers to see if there was some huge payoff at the end that would make pushing through worth it, but after reading how it ends, I knew I made the right decision. It sounded like more of the same with a twist that wasn’t enough to justify finishing it.
Life’s too short and my TBR is way too long to force myself through a book I’m not enjoying. Easy DNF. ⭐️
I picked this one up because that cover is creepy as shit and the premise sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, the cover ended up being the best part.
By 34%, it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. Nothing really moved the story forward, the suspense never built, and I kept waiting for it to get genuinely creepy…it just never did.
I finally looked up spoilers to see if there was some huge payoff at the end that would make pushing through worth it, but after reading how it ends, I knew I made the right decision. It sounded like more of the same with a twist that wasn’t enough to justify finishing it.
Life’s too short and my TBR is way too long to force myself through a book I’m not enjoying. Easy DNF. ⭐️
May 20, 2026
Loved the beginning of the book but was disappointed in the ending.
I really liked the writing style. Lots of short or partial sentences made it a fast paced read but still got the point across. However, lack of articles, a, an and the, made it difficult to read at times. If that was intentional, it was odd. And on more than one occasion, quotation marks were off making it difficult to figure out who was saying what. The ending was too far fetched for me but I loved the first two thirds of the book. I would give this author another try. Hopefully he'll get a good proofreader for future books.
I really liked the writing style. Lots of short or partial sentences made it a fast paced read but still got the point across. However, lack of articles, a, an and the, made it difficult to read at times. If that was intentional, it was odd. And on more than one occasion, quotation marks were off making it difficult to figure out who was saying what. The ending was too far fetched for me but I loved the first two thirds of the book. I would give this author another try. Hopefully he'll get a good proofreader for future books.
May 24, 2026
The book reminds me of the movie The Prodigy. This was definitely creepy vibes, suffocating, and completely heartbreaking. The parents in this story, although they were grieving, should have paid closer attention to their son. They should have gotten therapy to help with the loss of their daughter.
Liam’s personality began to change and yes it was subtle but it progressed to aggression. The parents just kept trying things their way instead of seeking help immediately. Callie’s life is forever changed and it was such a shame! The ending definitely was so sad!
I am a preacher’s kid and I know for a fact my dad and mom would have been sling holy oil, praying and getting me help.
Liam’s personality began to change and yes it was subtle but it progressed to aggression. The parents just kept trying things their way instead of seeking help immediately. Callie’s life is forever changed and it was such a shame! The ending definitely was so sad!
I am a preacher’s kid and I know for a fact my dad and mom would have been sling holy oil, praying and getting me help.
June 17, 2026
Who’s With Liam is a psychological horror novel that combines supernatural elements with themes of fear, family and trauma. David A. Lambert creates an atmosphere of mounting tension, gradually building unease as Liam’s experiences become increasingly disturbing. The story focuses on character relationships as much as the horror itself, making the frightening moments feel more impactful and emotionally resonant. While the pacing is deliberate, the suspense continues to build towards a compelling conclusion. Fans of slow-burn psychological and supernatural horror will find plenty to enjoy here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I fear this has become one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I am still trying to process everything, but this story starts off with brother and sister "Liam and Iris" walking home when iris's life is tragically taken from her.
We then follow the families journey dealing with the grief specifically Liam's, and when the family moves to a new house, a presence is there that "helps" liam through these feelings.
I felt these characters and this story, and the creepiness that went along this journey. I loved everything about it.
Please check it out
We then follow the families journey dealing with the grief specifically Liam's, and when the family moves to a new house, a presence is there that "helps" liam through these feelings.
I felt these characters and this story, and the creepiness that went along this journey. I loved everything about it.
Please check it out
May 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who’s With Liam had me hooked since the very first chapter. It immediately grabs your attention and keeps you wanting to read “just one more chapter.” I honestly could not put it down. The suspense and twists kept getting better and better, and every time I thought I figured things out, I was completely wrong.
And that ending?! I did NOT expect that ending to happen at all. My jaw literally dropped. Such a good thriller that keeps you on your toes the whole time. Definitely one of those books that stays in your mind after you finish.
Who’s With Liam had me hooked since the very first chapter. It immediately grabs your attention and keeps you wanting to read “just one more chapter.” I honestly could not put it down. The suspense and twists kept getting better and better, and every time I thought I figured things out, I was completely wrong.
And that ending?! I did NOT expect that ending to happen at all. My jaw literally dropped. Such a good thriller that keeps you on your toes the whole time. Definitely one of those books that stays in your mind after you finish.
May 15, 2026
I am being kind to give this book a 2 rating as there were parts that I enjoyed. An extremely slow start though. The repetition in this book was a real struggle. There is one sentence like that was probably repeated like 40 times in the book - shew. I did not particularly like the unrealistic plot. It reminded of a small budget movie as only a few of the characters were developed. The others were there to fill the story line with no background understanding and proper development. The fillers in the book was very tedious.
June 27, 2026
For so much of this book I just kept thinking “when will this end?!” It was soooo slow. But then the last 50 pages were creepy and fast paced. I really thought this would be one of those books where it was a discussion around mental health and grief, that Liam would stay believing he was possessed but actually it was psychological and he’d be treated, or not, but we would never have a concrete answer. Not so! Another part that really bugged me is Liam felt like a teen in parts with the language he’d use, it was inconsistent.
July 24, 2026
This book gives imaginary friend meets sadistic demon. Liam is a 7 year old boy who loses his best friend, his sister in the beginning. Then things unravel for poor Liam.
I loved the concept of this book, but it was extremely choppy and repetitive. A lot of lines were constantly repeated making you feel like you are reading the same pages over and over again.
I also could barely move past the very graphic puppy scene in the book. I feel like there should have been a warning about it at the beginning. I can handle gore, and tragedy but this scene was hard to read.
I loved the concept of this book, but it was extremely choppy and repetitive. A lot of lines were constantly repeated making you feel like you are reading the same pages over and over again.
I also could barely move past the very graphic puppy scene in the book. I feel like there should have been a warning about it at the beginning. I can handle gore, and tragedy but this scene was hard to read.
May 13, 2026
3.5 Who's with Liam is a slow-burning horror novel about a young boy's loss. It keeps the reader wondering what is real and who or what Liam's new friend Jerico really is. I think the author does a really good job of holding the tension in this beautifully disturbing story. Characters and background all came to life and are so well done, but I didn't really like the end. It may have been a me thing.
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