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House of Eights #1
Don't Look Back
If I should die…
Elizabeth Ahrens believes she needs to find answers about what’s happening to her. Alone. Attending Cornell University she’s close to her new doctor, but her presence in Ithaca is evoking more questions, causing further unease.
Are her memories playing tricks on her?
Can she trust her new friends?
From the hallowed halls of the elite Rockefeller Amherst University, the House of Eights, a secret society exists hiding a world of power, mystery and influence. Twelve members tasked with protection of the Divine.
Shrouded in deep secrecy the members feel the shift. An activation. Elizabeth may be the key or a risky distraction.
A chilling discovery starts a race to stop the threat they know is near.
One dangerous enough to end them all.
Elizabeth Ahrens believes she needs to find answers about what’s happening to her. Alone. Attending Cornell University she’s close to her new doctor, but her presence in Ithaca is evoking more questions, causing further unease.
Are her memories playing tricks on her?
Can she trust her new friends?
From the hallowed halls of the elite Rockefeller Amherst University, the House of Eights, a secret society exists hiding a world of power, mystery and influence. Twelve members tasked with protection of the Divine.
Shrouded in deep secrecy the members feel the shift. An activation. Elizabeth may be the key or a risky distraction.
A chilling discovery starts a race to stop the threat they know is near.
One dangerous enough to end them all.
- GenresWhy Choose
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2026
About the author
Roisin Visser
15 books163 followersRoisin (pronounced Ro-sheen) is a writer, traveler, and proud book nerd. She believes there's nothing better than an icy drink, a killer music playlist, and a cozy place to snuggle up with a good book. You'll find her writing about broken people forming trauma bonds, and becoming family. Suspense/Thrillers were her first love, but Why Choose has become her favorite.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 7, 2026
3.5 Stars
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July 1, 2026🟢 This is a reverse harem 🟢
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ ARC review ✨
💚 Don’t Look Back by Roisin Visser 💚
“The most brutal lesson I ever learned is that inside every person you know is a person you don’t.”
well, my brain is broken. hahaha i am CONFUSED AS HELL, but i think the author meant for it to be this way. it’s been a good minute since i read something that made me think so much, y’all should see all the notes i took 🤣
Elizabeth ‘Bizzy’ Ahrens is our FMC, and damn does she have it rough. she’s living with a terminal illness that she’s been hiding from mostly everyone in her life, and some of the symptoms are just awful. i gotta say, she’s way stronger than i could ever be, because if i was in her shoes, i wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret.
there are many characters in this book, considering a big portion of it revolves around a secret society (House of Eights), so i can’t sit here and describe them all but damn do i love JJ 🥺 the southern artsy boy with a hilarious bird named Hobey. but at the same time im SCARED to get attached to anyone because at any moment we could find out that THEY are the bad guy 😭
which is where this book leaves us at the end.. who do we trust? can we even trust our own FMC? Siler? JJ? Rett? Hart? Ripp? CAN I EVEN TRUST MYSELF???? i guess we’ll find out more when the second book comes out this fall. all in all this was a good and interesting book, i feel like some scenes were over too quickly, but i still really enjoyed it!! ready for my brain to get unscrambled (or scrambled some more lol) when the series continues!!
🤍 also wanted to add that i loved the dedication: to daydreamers looking for an adventure and starry-eyed romantics looking for a hero (or four) 🤍
some tidbits:
💚 why choose slow burn
💚 secret society
💚 suspenseful
💚 characters ya wanna slap and characters ya wanna kiss
💚 art history
💚 WHO IS THE MYSTERY GUY (I’ve only changed my mind about who it is five million times)
💚 Don’t Look Back by Roisin Visser 💚
“The most brutal lesson I ever learned is that inside every person you know is a person you don’t.”
well, my brain is broken. hahaha i am CONFUSED AS HELL, but i think the author meant for it to be this way. it’s been a good minute since i read something that made me think so much, y’all should see all the notes i took 🤣
Elizabeth ‘Bizzy’ Ahrens is our FMC, and damn does she have it rough. she’s living with a terminal illness that she’s been hiding from mostly everyone in her life, and some of the symptoms are just awful. i gotta say, she’s way stronger than i could ever be, because if i was in her shoes, i wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret.
there are many characters in this book, considering a big portion of it revolves around a secret society (House of Eights), so i can’t sit here and describe them all but damn do i love JJ 🥺 the southern artsy boy with a hilarious bird named Hobey. but at the same time im SCARED to get attached to anyone because at any moment we could find out that THEY are the bad guy 😭
which is where this book leaves us at the end.. who do we trust? can we even trust our own FMC? Siler? JJ? Rett? Hart? Ripp? CAN I EVEN TRUST MYSELF???? i guess we’ll find out more when the second book comes out this fall. all in all this was a good and interesting book, i feel like some scenes were over too quickly, but i still really enjoyed it!! ready for my brain to get unscrambled (or scrambled some more lol) when the series continues!!
🤍 also wanted to add that i loved the dedication: to daydreamers looking for an adventure and starry-eyed romantics looking for a hero (or four) 🤍
some tidbits:
💚 why choose slow burn
💚 secret society
💚 suspenseful
💚 characters ya wanna slap and characters ya wanna kiss
💚 art history
💚 WHO IS THE MYSTERY GUY (I’ve only changed my mind about who it is five million times)
June 24, 2026
A Masterpiece of Suspense and Slow-Burn Tension!
I was absolutely hooked from the very first chapter of Don't Look Back: Why Choose Suspense by Roisin Visser, and I honestly could not put it down! This book delivers the perfect blend of mystery, dark academia vibes, and high-stakes romance.
What I Loved:
The Fierce FMC: Elizabeth Ahrens is an incredible main character. She is intelligent, fiercely determined, and completely refuses to back down. Watching her balance the normal demands of life at Cornell while trying to uncover the dangerous truths happening around her kept me entirely rooted in her corner.
The Ultimate Slow Burn: The romantic tension in this book is elite. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic builds chapter after chapter, keeping me completely invested in every single interaction.
Multi-POV Perfection: Getting insight into "the guys" through multiple POVs was everything. It provided so much depth into their individual personalities and motivations. The chemistry across the board is incredible—whether it was the quiet, tense moments or the massive plot shifts that had me glued to the page.
A Perfectly Balanced Plot: With secret societies, deep mysteries, and twists I genuinely never saw coming, the pacing is phenomenal. The "why choose" dynamic feels incredibly natural and seamlessly elevates the story without ever distracting from the central plot.
If you love gripping suspense, complex characters, and a slow burn that leaves you wanting more, you absolutely need to add this to your TBR.
Thank you to the author for providing an Advanced Review Copy! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
I was absolutely hooked from the very first chapter of Don't Look Back: Why Choose Suspense by Roisin Visser, and I honestly could not put it down! This book delivers the perfect blend of mystery, dark academia vibes, and high-stakes romance.
What I Loved:
The Fierce FMC: Elizabeth Ahrens is an incredible main character. She is intelligent, fiercely determined, and completely refuses to back down. Watching her balance the normal demands of life at Cornell while trying to uncover the dangerous truths happening around her kept me entirely rooted in her corner.
The Ultimate Slow Burn: The romantic tension in this book is elite. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic builds chapter after chapter, keeping me completely invested in every single interaction.
Multi-POV Perfection: Getting insight into "the guys" through multiple POVs was everything. It provided so much depth into their individual personalities and motivations. The chemistry across the board is incredible—whether it was the quiet, tense moments or the massive plot shifts that had me glued to the page.
A Perfectly Balanced Plot: With secret societies, deep mysteries, and twists I genuinely never saw coming, the pacing is phenomenal. The "why choose" dynamic feels incredibly natural and seamlessly elevates the story without ever distracting from the central plot.
If you love gripping suspense, complex characters, and a slow burn that leaves you wanting more, you absolutely need to add this to your TBR.
Thank you to the author for providing an Advanced Review Copy! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was hooked from the first chapter and honestly couldn't put it down. Elizabeth Ahrens is such a strong FMC. She's intelligent, determined, and refuses to back down as she tries to uncover the truth behind everything happening around her while balancing life at Cornell.
The slow burn in this book was done so well. The tension keeps building chapter after chapter, and the enemies to lovers dynamic had me completely invested. Every interaction had me wanting more.
The guys in this book were everything. Having multiple POVs gave so much insight into their personalities and motivations, and I loved getting inside their heads. The chemistry was incredible, whether it was the quieter moments building tension or the bigger moments that had me glued to the page.
With secret societies, suspense, twists I never saw coming, and plenty of mystery, there was always something happening to keep me turning the pages. The why choose dynamic felt natural and added to the story without taking away from the plot.
The slow burn in this book was done so well. The tension keeps building chapter after chapter, and the enemies to lovers dynamic had me completely invested. Every interaction had me wanting more.
The guys in this book were everything. Having multiple POVs gave so much insight into their personalities and motivations, and I loved getting inside their heads. The chemistry was incredible, whether it was the quieter moments building tension or the bigger moments that had me glued to the page.
With secret societies, suspense, twists I never saw coming, and plenty of mystery, there was always something happening to keep me turning the pages. The why choose dynamic felt natural and added to the story without taking away from the plot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the concept of this book. Bizzy (Elizabeth) is a compelling character. I could feel her suffering and her desire to live her life in the here and now. The men that surround her, JJ, Rhett, Hart, and Rip each offered a role in what can only be considered a romantic tragedy at this point in the book.
The book follows along the concept that we relive past lives, almost as if they were parallel to one another. I love how the present day characters mirrored their past selves perfectly. There were moments that I was a little lost, as if pertinent information was missing. My guess is that these areas will be ironed out throughout the series. The book definitely has been wanting to dive into book 2 to learn more. I am especially interested in Bizzy, her health issues, and who amongst the group isn’t who they seem.
The book follows along the concept that we relive past lives, almost as if they were parallel to one another. I love how the present day characters mirrored their past selves perfectly. There were moments that I was a little lost, as if pertinent information was missing. My guess is that these areas will be ironed out throughout the series. The book definitely has been wanting to dive into book 2 to learn more. I am especially interested in Bizzy, her health issues, and who amongst the group isn’t who they seem.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It's actually not even my "normal" genre preference but I couldn't put it down; I read it in one day.
There were several characters to keep track of, but they were easy enough to follow and remember who's who. The characters were likeable as well.
There is "open door" scenes, but they're not overly descriptive (which may be a little disappointing to those of us that love spicy scenes lol, but that part of the story isn't the focus in this book).
The story itself was intriguing and kept me interested from beginning to end. The relationships between characters were engaging. The mystery happening in the book keeps you wondering.... and now I'm mad I have to wait for the next book in the series!
I liked the writing style and will anxiously be waiting for the rest of the series!
There were several characters to keep track of, but they were easy enough to follow and remember who's who. The characters were likeable as well.
There is "open door" scenes, but they're not overly descriptive (which may be a little disappointing to those of us that love spicy scenes lol, but that part of the story isn't the focus in this book).
The story itself was intriguing and kept me interested from beginning to end. The relationships between characters were engaging. The mystery happening in the book keeps you wondering.... and now I'm mad I have to wait for the next book in the series!
I liked the writing style and will anxiously be waiting for the rest of the series!
June 25, 2026
Wow! I was absolutely hooked on this book! The mystery and suspense just keep you guessing. I was all over the place trying to see if I could figure out what is going on and who is good and who is bad. This is a testament to the author that you really don't know what to think. I love stories that do not make it easy for you to figure it out.
Knowing this is the first book in a series, I think it was fantastic. Bizzy is a strong FMC. She has so much on her shoulders. She just wants to live and not be a burden to her family and friends. The most of the guys that begin to surround her are so far proving to be kind and caring. But will it last? Who knows. We think we have the overarching issue/mystery, but do we really? With the twist and turns that are already taking place, it's hard to say who will be there in the end. I cannot wait for book 2!
Knowing this is the first book in a series, I think it was fantastic. Bizzy is a strong FMC. She has so much on her shoulders. She just wants to live and not be a burden to her family and friends. The most of the guys that begin to surround her are so far proving to be kind and caring. But will it last? Who knows. We think we have the overarching issue/mystery, but do we really? With the twist and turns that are already taking place, it's hard to say who will be there in the end. I cannot wait for book 2!
June 24, 2026
What an incredible story! I was captivated all the way through. I'm also wondering what I read too. I have so many questions and suspicions. Who do we trust? What's Bizzy's part in everything?
This book was filled with mystery, secrets possibly betrayal, and drama. We also got a few emotional moments, humor, and some steam.
I admire Bizzy for her strength and resilience. My heart hurt for her and all the pain she was in. Im not sure I can pick a favorite MMC at this point. However, I really like JJ.
I feel like we have so much more to learn about each of the characters, not to mention a whole other timeline.
I think was a fantastic beginning to Bizzy's story! I can't wait for more!!
This book was filled with mystery, secrets possibly betrayal, and drama. We also got a few emotional moments, humor, and some steam.
I admire Bizzy for her strength and resilience. My heart hurt for her and all the pain she was in. Im not sure I can pick a favorite MMC at this point. However, I really like JJ.
I feel like we have so much more to learn about each of the characters, not to mention a whole other timeline.
I think was a fantastic beginning to Bizzy's story! I can't wait for more!!
July 2, 2026
Don't Look Back by Roisin Visser
MMC: JJ, Rhett, Hart, and Rip
FMC: Elizabeth Ahrens
🖤why-choose / slow burn
💚secret society
🖤suspenseful
This is my first book by this author.
Elizabeth has been living with a terminal illness that she’s been hiding from mostly everyone in her life. I love stories with multiple POVs. Whenever you have insight into "the guys" through their own POVs is everything. It provides depth into their individual personalities/character. The story is a little confusing at times but I’m assuming there will be more within this world. This book was filled with mystery, secrets possibly betrayal, and drama.
MMC: JJ, Rhett, Hart, and Rip
FMC: Elizabeth Ahrens
🖤why-choose / slow burn
💚secret society
🖤suspenseful
This is my first book by this author.
Elizabeth has been living with a terminal illness that she’s been hiding from mostly everyone in her life. I love stories with multiple POVs. Whenever you have insight into "the guys" through their own POVs is everything. It provides depth into their individual personalities/character. The story is a little confusing at times but I’m assuming there will be more within this world. This book was filled with mystery, secrets possibly betrayal, and drama.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow!
Did I receive this ARC and devour it? Yes I definitely did.
As usual I am not disappointed in any way with this book.
If never denied being a "why choose" girlie and add in suspense then I'm hooked.
Roisin Visser is incredibly good at character building and this time is no exception. I love and feel for Bizzy, kinda hate Hart, feel for the other guys, want to slap Mya so that should tell you that this author is very good at what she does.
No spoilers...just grab it when you can and give her other books a go.
Did I receive this ARC and devour it? Yes I definitely did.
As usual I am not disappointed in any way with this book.
If never denied being a "why choose" girlie and add in suspense then I'm hooked.
Roisin Visser is incredibly good at character building and this time is no exception. I love and feel for Bizzy, kinda hate Hart, feel for the other guys, want to slap Mya so that should tell you that this author is very good at what she does.
No spoilers...just grab it when you can and give her other books a go.
June 23, 2026
4/5⭐️
1/5🌶️
This book was crazy and while I am definitely a little lost I think it’s meant to be that way as it’s a romantic suspense with secret society vibes. There is a lot going on, a very sick FMC who doesn’t remember most of her past and her currently two men who are trying to save their secret society. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. Roisin never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.
1/5🌶️
This book was crazy and while I am definitely a little lost I think it’s meant to be that way as it’s a romantic suspense with secret society vibes. There is a lot going on, a very sick FMC who doesn’t remember most of her past and her currently two men who are trying to save their secret society. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. Roisin never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.
June 24, 2026
I am so confused, but also totally enthralled.
I don’t know what’s true, a memory, a hallucination; even what is real.
This mystery heaped upon secrets and secret societies.
I can’t explain it, you just have to read it!
I loved Bizzy, while my heart simultaneously broke for her.
I have absolutely no idea who to trust.
I need to know what happens and how the pieces fit together.
🤯🤯🤯
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️
I don’t know what’s true, a memory, a hallucination; even what is real.
This mystery heaped upon secrets and secret societies.
I can’t explain it, you just have to read it!
I loved Bizzy, while my heart simultaneously broke for her.
I have absolutely no idea who to trust.
I need to know what happens and how the pieces fit together.
🤯🤯🤯
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️
July 2, 2026
Don’t Look Back by Roisin Visser had me hooked from the very first chapter. This book is packed with suspense, twists, secrets, and emotional moments that kept me turning the pages long into the night. The characters felt real and complex, and I loved watching the relationships develop while the mystery unfolded. Roisin Visser does an incredible job balancing tension, emotion, and intrigue, creating a story that is impossible to put down. Counting the days until book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC reader and Holy..... what did I just read?! This was amazing. So unique so many twists and turns. So much mystery. I don't say this lightly but this is one of the best books I've read this year. I never knew what was coming next. And that ending?! Wow!!!
Review of advance copy
Why?!?! Why did it have to end?! The heartache, the intrigue, the spice we're just getting into...I need more! This was a book I couldn't put down, once I started I had to know it all...only to be left on a cliffhanger!
We are introduced to our characters, and I am very curious about all of the POVs after getting to see so many perspectives. I like that there's not a clear-cut "harem" known by the end, but the mystery is getting to me. Our FMC is going through so much more than she wants anyone to know, but is she making the right choice? Unfortunately, we will have to wait for book 2 to know for sure.
We are introduced to our characters, and I am very curious about all of the POVs after getting to see so many perspectives. I like that there's not a clear-cut "harem" known by the end, but the mystery is getting to me. Our FMC is going through so much more than she wants anyone to know, but is she making the right choice? Unfortunately, we will have to wait for book 2 to know for sure.
June 25, 2026
Slow burn interesting read. The group is working to figure out a puzzle that has been going on for many years. The primary members repeat with each generation and are almost automatically involved in the secret society that their ancestors have been part of.
July 2, 2026
Who doesn't love a good mystery? Bizzy is a very interesting character and I love the parallels between the past and present characters. Very intrigued for the next book and what will happen to bizzy. Something tells me she's not who they all think she is.
July 7, 2026
This book! The twists had me going back and re-reading parts I had read because it gave me new views,it kept me hooked from the time I started it til I stopped it.
I love me a why choose and this one did not disappoint.
I am 100% ready for the next book.
I love me a why choose and this one did not disappoint.
I am 100% ready for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Honest review of an ARC reader*
I tore through this story.
My usual genre is fantasy that can be laden with world building or romance with piling on of scene after scene of unnecessary spice, details that make me skim pages to get back to the plot. I had no issues with either in this book. In fact, I'd say the pace was addictive.
Bizzy's plight is heartbreaking, what we're learning of the House of Eights members is fascinating, but JJ was a happy surprise for me. One of the perks of first person, different POVs is the peek into the character. I only wish we'd had more of him.
I would've happily read another hundred pages for book one, and waiting for Book two is going to drive me crazy.
A new favorite
I tore through this story.
My usual genre is fantasy that can be laden with world building or romance with piling on of scene after scene of unnecessary spice, details that make me skim pages to get back to the plot. I had no issues with either in this book. In fact, I'd say the pace was addictive.
Bizzy's plight is heartbreaking, what we're learning of the House of Eights members is fascinating, but JJ was a happy surprise for me. One of the perks of first person, different POVs is the peek into the character. I only wish we'd had more of him.
I would've happily read another hundred pages for book one, and waiting for Book two is going to drive me crazy.
A new favorite
Did Not Finish
June 24, 2026DNF 18%
The use of ellipses was too much.
Can't get into a book when the characters don't even finish a complete sentence.
The use of ellipses was too much.
Can't get into a book when the characters don't even finish a complete sentence.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews