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While They Watch
253 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 29, 2026
Holy SHIT. My bestie can WRITE!!!! How in the world is this her debut??? This While They Watch is probably one of the absolute creepiest and atmospheric books I have ever read! From the very first chapter, I was hooked and getting nonstop full body chills. Leicole hit all of my favorite little types of scares like having conversations with people who aren’t here and feeling eyes on you when you could have sworn you thought you were alone.
But in all seriousness, how the HELL are people not talking more about this book??? Like what are yall DOING?!?! Get your cute little butts over to KU and add this shit to your library NOW. Do yourselves a favor and bump this up the tippy top of your list because I know for a FACT when you start this book, you’ll be PISSSSSSED you didn’t start it sooner!!!!
Lastly, I would just like to take a moment to thank my incredible friend @leicolelangauthor for sending me a copy of her book baby 🥰 Of you aren’t following her now, then you are SERIOUSLY missing out! She is one of the most amazing people in the world and is just the kindest soul. I’m SO grateful for the friendship we’ve formed and cannot WAIT to meet in person here in the good ole Twin Cities!
But in all seriousness, how the HELL are people not talking more about this book??? Like what are yall DOING?!?! Get your cute little butts over to KU and add this shit to your library NOW. Do yourselves a favor and bump this up the tippy top of your list because I know for a FACT when you start this book, you’ll be PISSSSSSED you didn’t start it sooner!!!!
Lastly, I would just like to take a moment to thank my incredible friend @leicolelangauthor for sending me a copy of her book baby 🥰 Of you aren’t following her now, then you are SERIOUSLY missing out! She is one of the most amazing people in the world and is just the kindest soul. I’m SO grateful for the friendship we’ve formed and cannot WAIT to meet in person here in the good ole Twin Cities!
August 13, 2026
This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. I love horror where the setting is a secluded cabin in the woods, those kinda stories always pop off and this one did exactly that. The story follows Luke and Hanna, a couple who are trying to rebuild their relationship and decide the perfect solution for this is a little getaway. It started off slow, but it builds that dread and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages because I just HAD to know what was gonna happen!! Creepy stuff starts happening more or less from the get go, and I couldn’t get enough. The creatures were TERRIFYING, and my hat goes off to Hanna our main character for the shit she put herself through.
I’m not gonna say much more as it’s one of those stories you just have to experience for yourself. Highly recommend 🙌🏼
I’m not gonna say much more as it’s one of those stories you just have to experience for yourself. Highly recommend 🙌🏼
May 11, 2026
While They Watch is officially one of my new favorite horror/paranormal reads. I loved the forest setting and isolated cabin atmosphere so much, especially as the story progressed and everything started feeling heavier, foggier, and more unsettling toward the end. The woods almost felt like their own character, which is one of my favorite things in books like this.
I also really appreciated that even though this is a shorter read at 255 pages, it never felt rushed. I’ve read plenty of short books where the ending leaves you confused because it feels like half the explanation got cut out, but this wasn’t that kind of story. I definitely still have questions, but they’re the kind of questions that make the story linger in your brain afterward instead of making you frustrated.
One thing I really loved was how well the anxiety and tension translated onto the page. There were scenes where the FMC was anxiously biting at her fingers and I caught myself literally biting my lip while reading because I felt so stressed right along with her. That kind of atmosphere is hard to pull off and it was done really well here.
The ending honestly made me so excited because finding out there’s going to be a prequel immediately made me need the full history behind the cabin, the woods, and its owner. There’s clearly so much lore here to explore and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
For this to be Leicole Lang’s debut novel honestly makes it even more impressive to me, and I’m already excited to see what she publishes in the future. If you like isolated cabins, creeping paranormal tension, atmospheric forests, and books that leave you thinking afterward, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
I also really appreciated that even though this is a shorter read at 255 pages, it never felt rushed. I’ve read plenty of short books where the ending leaves you confused because it feels like half the explanation got cut out, but this wasn’t that kind of story. I definitely still have questions, but they’re the kind of questions that make the story linger in your brain afterward instead of making you frustrated.
One thing I really loved was how well the anxiety and tension translated onto the page. There were scenes where the FMC was anxiously biting at her fingers and I caught myself literally biting my lip while reading because I felt so stressed right along with her. That kind of atmosphere is hard to pull off and it was done really well here.
The ending honestly made me so excited because finding out there’s going to be a prequel immediately made me need the full history behind the cabin, the woods, and its owner. There’s clearly so much lore here to explore and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
For this to be Leicole Lang’s debut novel honestly makes it even more impressive to me, and I’m already excited to see what she publishes in the future. If you like isolated cabins, creeping paranormal tension, atmospheric forests, and books that leave you thinking afterward, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
May 11, 2026
While They Watch by Leicole Lang
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Luke and Hanna are on a getaway to a remote cabin. Luke is the adventurous on and Hanna is a city girl. Luke has vowed to make this a great time for them both. Shortly after they arrive, Hanna’s anxiety start getting the best of her. She is seeing and hearing things that she cannot explain. Hanna finally convinces Luke to leave but the car won’t start and then Luke is injured. Hanna has to go for help. Can she overcome her fears and save them both?
A great horror book for first time author Leicole Lang. she keeps you on guessing what will happen next and keeps the tension high. Definitely an ending you won’t see coming.
#leicolelang #leicolelangauthor #whiletheywatch #whiletheywatchleicolelang
#bookstagram #readersofinstagram
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Luke and Hanna are on a getaway to a remote cabin. Luke is the adventurous on and Hanna is a city girl. Luke has vowed to make this a great time for them both. Shortly after they arrive, Hanna’s anxiety start getting the best of her. She is seeing and hearing things that she cannot explain. Hanna finally convinces Luke to leave but the car won’t start and then Luke is injured. Hanna has to go for help. Can she overcome her fears and save them both?
A great horror book for first time author Leicole Lang. she keeps you on guessing what will happen next and keeps the tension high. Definitely an ending you won’t see coming.
#leicolelang #leicolelangauthor #whiletheywatch #whiletheywatchleicolelang
#bookstagram #readersofinstagram
June 16, 2026
I read a lot of horror and I’ve yet to read a book that actually scared me…until now. While They Watch is a psychological horror that’s filled with lots of dread, and there’s a creepy forest and secluded cabin. Need I say more?
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕?
Hanna and Luke's secluded cabin getaway turns nightmarish when strange noises, moving shadows, and Luke's sudden injury force Hanna into the wilderness, where she questions if something is stalking her.
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down; I needed more and more. I was so engrossed in the story and creeped out, that every time my apartment door buzzed, I literally jumped. The way Leicole builds up the dread and creepiness factor was chef’s kiss. I was vividly picturing the creatures and everything that was happening, and it all just really got in my head and really creeped me out.
A book that actually scared me definitely gets 5 stars!
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕?
Hanna and Luke's secluded cabin getaway turns nightmarish when strange noises, moving shadows, and Luke's sudden injury force Hanna into the wilderness, where she questions if something is stalking her.
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down; I needed more and more. I was so engrossed in the story and creeped out, that every time my apartment door buzzed, I literally jumped. The way Leicole builds up the dread and creepiness factor was chef’s kiss. I was vividly picturing the creatures and everything that was happening, and it all just really got in my head and really creeped me out.
A book that actually scared me definitely gets 5 stars!
May 28, 2026
creepy cabin vibes and a whole lot of ABSOLUTELY NOT
I am such a sucker for creepy cabin horror, so this immediately worked for me. The atmosphere is unsettling right from the start, and I loved the couple’s chemistry and banter mixed in with all the weirdness happening around them.
This book had me constantly going DON’T TOUCH THAT and WHY WOULD YOU BRING THAT INSIDE 😭 The deeper things spiraled, the more it turned into a total mental head trip.
There were multiple moments that genuinely creeped me out (reading this at night was a mistake), although I do think it dragged a little in the later part of the story.
Overall though, creepy, stressful, and entertaining enough that I’d absolutely read the next book in the series. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I am such a sucker for creepy cabin horror, so this immediately worked for me. The atmosphere is unsettling right from the start, and I loved the couple’s chemistry and banter mixed in with all the weirdness happening around them.
This book had me constantly going DON’T TOUCH THAT and WHY WOULD YOU BRING THAT INSIDE 😭 The deeper things spiraled, the more it turned into a total mental head trip.
There were multiple moments that genuinely creeped me out (reading this at night was a mistake), although I do think it dragged a little in the later part of the story.
Overall though, creepy, stressful, and entertaining enough that I’d absolutely read the next book in the series. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
June 18, 2026
There’s something inherently terrifying about the forest. In our modern world of suburbs and pizza delivery, air conditioning and streaming services, the remote, unspoiled areas beyond the city are a connection to a collective past before civilization arose. Those wooded realms hold secrets, and sprites lurk there that, once unleashed, cannot be contained. It’s little wonder that so many legends, myths and fairy tales are associated with such rural barrens. After all, Hansel and Gretyl follow that path into the woods and…
The horror genre has always traded on this fear of seclusion. In film, Sam Raimi’s classic The Evil Dead (based on his early student project titled Into The Woods), and the later ‘90’s mega-hit The Blair Witch Project succeeded by placing their respective casts in the dark bowers of man’s domain. Isolation became a character in and of itself, an obstacle to overcome as much as any otherworldly fiend.
New indie author Leicole Lang channels the spirit of both the aforementioned films into her debut horror novel, While They Watch, a book that builds on such sequestered distress to instill some of the most intense chills in recent literary memory.
Hanna and her boyfriend Luke have rented a remote cabin without cell service or Wi-Fi for a much-needed romantic getaway. Upon arriving, however, they find the property is more isolated—and more run down—than was advertised online. Immediately after settling in, Hanna experiences what she believes are paranormal happenings: oppressive nightmares, unseen eyes on her, disappearing and reappearing objects, scratching sounds on the walls, disembodied voices calling their names. The events are compounded by the discovery of a mysterious, oversized door in the cabin’s basement and bizarre stick figures hanging from a creepy, dead tree in the nearby woods. While Luke initially scoffs at the notion of a supernatural presence, suggesting instead that local teens could be responsible, the situation deteriorates when Hanna insists she sees a tall, pale, humanoid entity watching them from the brush. After she finds some notes hidden in an old Bible that suggests others have seemingly endured the same occurrences, Hanna’s paranoia goes into overdrive, but an attempt to flee is stifled when she and Luke learn their car has been drained of gas. Soon after, Luke succumbs to the malevolence besieging the cabin and becomes gravely ill, leaving Hanna with few options but to try to hike out of the wilderness alone to get him help. Can she overcome her anxiety and lack of survival skills to do so? Or will she, too, fall victim to the enigmatic forces inhabiting the forest?
Though a newcomer, Lang doles out the frights in While They Watch with a veteran author’s skill. Taking the time to establish the odd-couple dynamic of Hanna and Luke’s relationship (he’s selfless but stubbornly level-headed, while she’s the perpetual worrywart) before ratcheting up the spookiness with each successive chapter, the novel’s first half is a master class of slow-burn dread. Once Luke falls ill and Hanna has to fend for herself, though, that simmering tension explodes into pure, adrenaline-pumping fear. The sequence showing Hanna escaping the house via an underground tunnel connected to the oversized basement door is downright terrifying, and once she’s outside there’s still no relief, as every scene delivers one heart-palpitating set piece after another. Lang sagely refuses to hand feed her audience any explanations for the occurrences, and with no easy answers readers are forced to fill the shadowy gaps, allowing the power of suggestion to work its black magic on the imagination with powerful results. Depicting Hanna as someone with mental health issues is another wise masterstroke that allows Lang to instill doubt in the reader’s mind—are the unusual events really happening, or are they merely figments of Hanna’s fragile psyche?
While some may find the ultimate denouement upsetting, real horror hounds will be pleased that Lang stays true to the book’s uncompromising principles straight through to the end. It’s further proof that While They Watch is not only the must-read indie horror novel of 2026, but a genuine goosebump-inducing masterpiece deserving of the full 5 (Out of 5) here on Goodreads. According to the author’s notes, there’s already a prequel in the works that delves into the origins of the cabin, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what frights Lang has in store for us next.
The horror genre has always traded on this fear of seclusion. In film, Sam Raimi’s classic The Evil Dead (based on his early student project titled Into The Woods), and the later ‘90’s mega-hit The Blair Witch Project succeeded by placing their respective casts in the dark bowers of man’s domain. Isolation became a character in and of itself, an obstacle to overcome as much as any otherworldly fiend.
New indie author Leicole Lang channels the spirit of both the aforementioned films into her debut horror novel, While They Watch, a book that builds on such sequestered distress to instill some of the most intense chills in recent literary memory.
Hanna and her boyfriend Luke have rented a remote cabin without cell service or Wi-Fi for a much-needed romantic getaway. Upon arriving, however, they find the property is more isolated—and more run down—than was advertised online. Immediately after settling in, Hanna experiences what she believes are paranormal happenings: oppressive nightmares, unseen eyes on her, disappearing and reappearing objects, scratching sounds on the walls, disembodied voices calling their names. The events are compounded by the discovery of a mysterious, oversized door in the cabin’s basement and bizarre stick figures hanging from a creepy, dead tree in the nearby woods. While Luke initially scoffs at the notion of a supernatural presence, suggesting instead that local teens could be responsible, the situation deteriorates when Hanna insists she sees a tall, pale, humanoid entity watching them from the brush. After she finds some notes hidden in an old Bible that suggests others have seemingly endured the same occurrences, Hanna’s paranoia goes into overdrive, but an attempt to flee is stifled when she and Luke learn their car has been drained of gas. Soon after, Luke succumbs to the malevolence besieging the cabin and becomes gravely ill, leaving Hanna with few options but to try to hike out of the wilderness alone to get him help. Can she overcome her anxiety and lack of survival skills to do so? Or will she, too, fall victim to the enigmatic forces inhabiting the forest?
Though a newcomer, Lang doles out the frights in While They Watch with a veteran author’s skill. Taking the time to establish the odd-couple dynamic of Hanna and Luke’s relationship (he’s selfless but stubbornly level-headed, while she’s the perpetual worrywart) before ratcheting up the spookiness with each successive chapter, the novel’s first half is a master class of slow-burn dread. Once Luke falls ill and Hanna has to fend for herself, though, that simmering tension explodes into pure, adrenaline-pumping fear. The sequence showing Hanna escaping the house via an underground tunnel connected to the oversized basement door is downright terrifying, and once she’s outside there’s still no relief, as every scene delivers one heart-palpitating set piece after another. Lang sagely refuses to hand feed her audience any explanations for the occurrences, and with no easy answers readers are forced to fill the shadowy gaps, allowing the power of suggestion to work its black magic on the imagination with powerful results. Depicting Hanna as someone with mental health issues is another wise masterstroke that allows Lang to instill doubt in the reader’s mind—are the unusual events really happening, or are they merely figments of Hanna’s fragile psyche?
While some may find the ultimate denouement upsetting, real horror hounds will be pleased that Lang stays true to the book’s uncompromising principles straight through to the end. It’s further proof that While They Watch is not only the must-read indie horror novel of 2026, but a genuine goosebump-inducing masterpiece deserving of the full 5 (Out of 5) here on Goodreads. According to the author’s notes, there’s already a prequel in the works that delves into the origins of the cabin, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what frights Lang has in store for us next.
July 27, 2026
4.5 ROUNDED UP!
The Setting of The Strangers - Chapter One
The Unease of The Woman In The Yard
The Mood of Until Dawn
The Vibes of The Watchers
'While They Watch' is a riveting descent into helpless madness where a young woman is forced to confront not only her own fear but to push through a wildness with eyes of its own.
Luke and Hanna are on a romantic getaway in the middle of nowhere. Well, not really the middle of nowhere, but they got to nowhere, took a hard left, and drove another hour or so. They're hardly out of the car before the strangeness begins to seep in.
Shadows move. Figures watch from the trees. A mysterious tunnel waits beneath their cabin. And all along they're helpless to escape what watches. What are they? And what is this place?
Lang's debut was a thrill. One that builds with a slow-burning tension that flips a switch the instant we're outside the safety of the cabin. She masterfully captures the unease that comes with exposure and the feelings of loneliness outside of perceived safety. Until you realize that even inside, they were never truly safe.
I'm hooked, and both really excited to watch Lang grow as a writer while she continues to find her own voice. For a debut, this was incredible, and I wish more readers knew about it.
With the comps I've mentioned above (yes, I relate more to movies than books - sue me), I couldn't help but shake the feeling that this was the love child of so much 2000's horror. As someone who grew up in that time period, it was as epic to read as it was to feel.
All in all, While They Watch, is one hell of a wild ride that really finds itself at its midpoint, grabs you by the throat, and doesn't let go!
Sign me right the heck up for whatever this author writes from this point on!
The Setting of The Strangers - Chapter One
The Unease of The Woman In The Yard
The Mood of Until Dawn
The Vibes of The Watchers
'While They Watch' is a riveting descent into helpless madness where a young woman is forced to confront not only her own fear but to push through a wildness with eyes of its own.
Luke and Hanna are on a romantic getaway in the middle of nowhere. Well, not really the middle of nowhere, but they got to nowhere, took a hard left, and drove another hour or so. They're hardly out of the car before the strangeness begins to seep in.
Shadows move. Figures watch from the trees. A mysterious tunnel waits beneath their cabin. And all along they're helpless to escape what watches. What are they? And what is this place?
Lang's debut was a thrill. One that builds with a slow-burning tension that flips a switch the instant we're outside the safety of the cabin. She masterfully captures the unease that comes with exposure and the feelings of loneliness outside of perceived safety. Until you realize that even inside, they were never truly safe.
I'm hooked, and both really excited to watch Lang grow as a writer while she continues to find her own voice. For a debut, this was incredible, and I wish more readers knew about it.
With the comps I've mentioned above (yes, I relate more to movies than books - sue me), I couldn't help but shake the feeling that this was the love child of so much 2000's horror. As someone who grew up in that time period, it was as epic to read as it was to feel.
All in all, While They Watch, is one hell of a wild ride that really finds itself at its midpoint, grabs you by the throat, and doesn't let go!
Sign me right the heck up for whatever this author writes from this point on!
May 26, 2026
TERRIFYING, keeps you up at night 🙌
Spooky, spine-tingling, creepy book. I had to read this one during the day, so I wouldn’t keep checking under my bed or out of the window 😆.
While They Watch keeps you on your toes THE ENTIRE TIME.
Isolated cabin, creepy creatures, what is real, and who can you trust?! Definitely the vibes of Stephen King.
I can’t wait for Before They Watch coming out later this year!!
Horror fans, please read!!!
Spooky, spine-tingling, creepy book. I had to read this one during the day, so I wouldn’t keep checking under my bed or out of the window 😆.
While They Watch keeps you on your toes THE ENTIRE TIME.
Isolated cabin, creepy creatures, what is real, and who can you trust?! Definitely the vibes of Stephen King.
I can’t wait for Before They Watch coming out later this year!!
Horror fans, please read!!!
June 3, 2026
Hanna and Luke are going on a getaway to a remote cabin. Outdoorsy things aren't Hanna's thing, but she feels comfortable with Luke...however there are things even he can't explain away with each passing day. There's missing time, a weird tunnel under the cabin, and figures made from sticks popping up. Perhaps they should have left before the mysterious knocking and familiar voices got more and more demanding. A great debut, and I can't wait to read the next book by Lang!
July 5, 2026
I loved this so much! I flew through it because I needed to know what happened right that moment. A creepy, survival vibe that keeps you guessing through the whole story. The characters were relatable and I could feel Hanna’s frustrations from the very beginning, especially with how she tries to cope with all the new anxiety around her. The tension between the main characters, you could smell a mile away and I felt sorry for both parties 😭
Fantastic debut novel!👏🏻
Fantastic debut novel!👏🏻
May 28, 2026
Lang’s debut novel blew me away and reads more like the work of a veteran than a first-time author. It’s fast-paced and you feel the unease and eeriness right from the first chapter. The main character is complex and well-developed, which made it easy to root for. And the ending alone makes it worth picking up this quick read. Looking forward to the prequel!
May 28, 2026
It was such a good read. The suspense and tension throughout the story kept me hooked, and I loved the eerie atmosphere. The pacing kept me interested, and I was constantly wanting to know what would happen next. If you enjoy psychological suspense with mystery this is definitely one to check out.
May 30, 2026
what a read ! eerie ! spooky! fantastic
This was such a fantasy read! I normally do not read horror books, and I’m so happy I read this book. Just by looking at the cover art, I knew the story was going to be great! I highly recommend it ! And I cannot wait for the prequel!
This was such a fantasy read! I normally do not read horror books, and I’m so happy I read this book. Just by looking at the cover art, I knew the story was going to be great! I highly recommend it ! And I cannot wait for the prequel!
July 20, 2026
Truly Terrifying!
HOLY SHIT!
While They Watch is such a masterpiece!
The creeps start straight off the bat, no time to even settle in. And they DO NOT let up!
I was literally gripping my blanket to my chin the entire time.
This is how you do haunted forest horror!
HOLY SHIT!
While They Watch is such a masterpiece!
The creeps start straight off the bat, no time to even settle in. And they DO NOT let up!
I was literally gripping my blanket to my chin the entire time.
This is how you do haunted forest horror!
May 5, 2026
This book had me hooked from the beginning! Loved the ending. A must read for everyone. Can’t wait for the next one!
May 30, 2026
While They Watch by Leicole Lang is a suspenseful and deeply unsettling thriller that keeps readers tense from beginning to end. The story creates an atmosphere of constant anxiety, especially through the main character, whose fear and uncertainty feel painfully real. The creepy woods surrounding the characters add a claustrophobic feeling, making it seem impossible to escape or even know which direction is safe.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the eerie cabin setting. The isolation, strange happenings and growing sense that something is terribly wrong make the suspense build chapter after chapter. The boyfriend’s illness adds another layer of fear and helplessness, increasing the emotional tension while making the situation feel even more nervewracking.
Lang does an excellent job creating a haunting mood that lingers long after reading. Fans of psychological suspense and creepy cabin-in-the-woods tales will especially enjoy this book. While They Watch is perfect for readers who like slow-building dread, unsettling environments and stories that leave them constantly questioning what is real.
One of the strongest parts of the book is the eerie cabin setting. The isolation, strange happenings and growing sense that something is terribly wrong make the suspense build chapter after chapter. The boyfriend’s illness adds another layer of fear and helplessness, increasing the emotional tension while making the situation feel even more nervewracking.
Lang does an excellent job creating a haunting mood that lingers long after reading. Fans of psychological suspense and creepy cabin-in-the-woods tales will especially enjoy this book. While They Watch is perfect for readers who like slow-building dread, unsettling environments and stories that leave them constantly questioning what is real.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews