What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 23:22:48
15 copies available
U.S. only
This House Is Not a Home: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 23:22:48
15 copies available
U.S. only
An inventive haunted house story with an uncanny twist, in which a woman mourning the recent death of her abusive mother takes a housekeeping job with increasingly strange and dangerous tasks, for fans of Carissa Orlando and Monika Kim.
Loretta is numb with grief. Reeling after the death of her abusive—although she would never use that word—mother and estranged from her younger sister, Loretta finds herself unemployed and alone.
Resolutely out of options, she hears of an unusual job opportunity. The owner of a huge home on the outskirts of town is looking for a live-in housekeeper—and offering thousands of dollars every week, in cash. There are only two simple complete the daily chores left in the mailbox and no overnight guests. It seems like the perfect escape.
The idyllic solitude quickly sours into a waking nightmare. The daily chores escalate from simple cleaning to grotesque demands for Loretta’s flesh and blood. Any resistance is met with painful and increasingly life-threatening punishments. Loretta is familiar with this situation—well trained by her mother and miserable childhood— and isolates herself inside the carnivorous mansion. As her sense of reality warps and she falls deeper into the house’s clutches, her friends and sister try to intervene before it’s too late. But to survive, Loretta must decide whether to accept the comfort of familiar cycles or find out how hard she’s willing to fight for herself.
Both a terrifying thriller and an emotional portrait of resilience in the face of abuse, This House Is Not a Home is an ambitious debut from an exciting new voice in adult horror.
Loretta is numb with grief. Reeling after the death of her abusive—although she would never use that word—mother and estranged from her younger sister, Loretta finds herself unemployed and alone.
Resolutely out of options, she hears of an unusual job opportunity. The owner of a huge home on the outskirts of town is looking for a live-in housekeeper—and offering thousands of dollars every week, in cash. There are only two simple complete the daily chores left in the mailbox and no overnight guests. It seems like the perfect escape.
The idyllic solitude quickly sours into a waking nightmare. The daily chores escalate from simple cleaning to grotesque demands for Loretta’s flesh and blood. Any resistance is met with painful and increasingly life-threatening punishments. Loretta is familiar with this situation—well trained by her mother and miserable childhood— and isolates herself inside the carnivorous mansion. As her sense of reality warps and she falls deeper into the house’s clutches, her friends and sister try to intervene before it’s too late. But to survive, Loretta must decide whether to accept the comfort of familiar cycles or find out how hard she’s willing to fight for herself.
Both a terrifying thriller and an emotional portrait of resilience in the face of abuse, This House Is Not a Home is an ambitious debut from an exciting new voice in adult horror.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 6, 2027
About the author
Jessica Lewis
6 books321 followersJessica Lewis is a Black author who writes in many eclectic genres. She’s written everything from southern gothic horror to wacky magical detectives to fluffy rom-coms. When she’s not procrastinating on writing by writing something else, she enjoys experimenting with recipes and playing cozy games. She lives with her way-funnier-than-her grandmother in Alabama.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 5, 2026
Loretta and her younger sister are brought up by an abusive mother, although the latter would never admit to it, and the former is still too tightly ensnared in old patterns to consider herself cured. Much like the old metaphor and adage of people being haunted homes, Lewis brings something new to the table here and I really enjoyed her take on that. When Loretta becomes a housekeeper and begins raking in the dough, she tries to ignore the weird requests from her boss, but the mounting ambiguity makes her friends nervous for her wellbeing. Paired with a pattern of previously disappearing caregivers, the house and it's ominous being follow the reader throughout. Traced throughout with modernity, humor, and a wry main character, This House Is Not A Home will hold it's own in literary horror genre. This is perfect for fans of Model Home or Nestlings. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love when a haunted house is not just a haunted house. Give me a creepy mansion with a mind of its own, increasingly bizarre rules, and a protagonist slowly realizing that something is very wrong, and I am absolutely in. And that is exactly what I got with “This House Is Not a Home” by Jessica Lewis. Before getting into the review, I do want to provide some content warnings, including domestic and child abuse, emotional abuse, and some graphic horror imagery.
Loretta is grieving the death of her mother, but this is definitely not a simple “I lost my beloved mom” situation. Her mother was abusive, controlling, and a hoarder, and Loretta has spent years making excuses for her behavior. She is also angry with her sister Margie for staying away from their mother, even though Margie experienced the same abuse and understandably chose to protect herself.
This was probably the most frustrating part of the book for me, because Loretta kept denying her abuse and was blaming her sister, wanting her to visit her abuser. But the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated what Lewis was doing with Loretta. Her inability to acknowledge the abuse is part of the trauma. She has spent so long normalizing what happened to her that even after her mother is gone, she is still defending her.
And then Loretta gets a new job. She's offered an absurd amount of money to house-sit and clean a huge isolated house, with a few simple rules. Complete the chores left for her and don't have overnight guests. Sounds easy enough, right?
At first, the haunting seems fairly standard. Strange noises. Weird stains. Things that aren't where Loretta left them. Then there are the unexplainable dog bones scattered around the property.
But the house keeps getting stranger.
The chores become increasingly disturbing, including demands that are definitely not part of any normal housekeeping job. And when Loretta refuses to cooperate, the house retaliates. Things move. Injuries happen. The house seems to actively manipulate her and punish her.
And that's where this book gets really interesting.
The house isn't just haunted. It becomes a metaphor for the cycle of abuse Loretta has already experienced. The more Loretta gives to the house, the stronger it becomes. The more isolated she gets, the harder it is for her to recognize what is happening. Even her own thoughts and perception of reality begin changing.
I loved how the supernatural horror and the trauma storyline gradually started mirroring each other. The house essentially becomes another abusive relationship, complete with control, isolation, impossible demands, punishment, and Loretta constantly trying to convince herself that everything is fine.
The horror itself is so weird and unsettling. This isn't just your standard ghost-in-the-attic situation. There are some genuinely disturbing moments, and the story keeps escalating into increasingly bizarre territory. The supernatural elements definitely get pretty wild toward the end, and I can see that being a love-it-or-hate-it situation. Personally, I thought the weirdness worked because once I'm reading horror, I'm perfectly happy for things to get completely unhinged.
One thing I especially loved was the humor. Somehow this book manages to be legitimately creepy while also making me laugh. Loretta's narration has a great voice, and Brynn, her best friend, is hilarious. Brynn was easily one of my favorite characters because she provides the tough love Loretta desperately needs. She'll basically look at Loretta's terrible decisions and go, Absolutely not. We are not doing this today.
And the relationships between Loretta, Margie, and Brynn were honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Beneath all the horror, this is a story about women caring for each other and refusing to let someone they love disappear into an abusive cycle. As Loretta becomes increasingly isolated, those relationships become even more important. Plus, these are black female characters (Loretta is also a lesbian) in a horror book that don’t killed off immediately; that is a definite plus!
There were definitely a few things that didn't work perfectly for me. Some of the supernatural developments were very out there, and the story takes a few turns that may be too strange for those who prefer their paranormal horror to stay somewhat grounded.
But overall, this was such an inventive horror story. It's creepy, funny, gross, emotionally heavy, and surprisingly hopeful all at once.
Most importantly, I loved that the horror isn't just there to scare you. The haunted house gives Loretta a literal manifestation of the trauma she's spent years refusing to confront. Watching her slowly realize that what happened to her wasn't normal, wasn't her fault, and doesn't have to define the rest of her life was probably the most powerful part of the book.
Overall, if you like sentient haunted houses, unreliable narrators, weird supernatural horror, dark humor, and stories about surviving generational trauma, this is definitely worth picking up.
I love when a haunted house is not just a haunted house. Give me a creepy mansion with a mind of its own, increasingly bizarre rules, and a protagonist slowly realizing that something is very wrong, and I am absolutely in. And that is exactly what I got with “This House Is Not a Home” by Jessica Lewis. Before getting into the review, I do want to provide some content warnings, including domestic and child abuse, emotional abuse, and some graphic horror imagery.
Loretta is grieving the death of her mother, but this is definitely not a simple “I lost my beloved mom” situation. Her mother was abusive, controlling, and a hoarder, and Loretta has spent years making excuses for her behavior. She is also angry with her sister Margie for staying away from their mother, even though Margie experienced the same abuse and understandably chose to protect herself.
This was probably the most frustrating part of the book for me, because Loretta kept denying her abuse and was blaming her sister, wanting her to visit her abuser. But the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated what Lewis was doing with Loretta. Her inability to acknowledge the abuse is part of the trauma. She has spent so long normalizing what happened to her that even after her mother is gone, she is still defending her.
And then Loretta gets a new job. She's offered an absurd amount of money to house-sit and clean a huge isolated house, with a few simple rules. Complete the chores left for her and don't have overnight guests. Sounds easy enough, right?
At first, the haunting seems fairly standard. Strange noises. Weird stains. Things that aren't where Loretta left them. Then there are the unexplainable dog bones scattered around the property.
But the house keeps getting stranger.
The chores become increasingly disturbing, including demands that are definitely not part of any normal housekeeping job. And when Loretta refuses to cooperate, the house retaliates. Things move. Injuries happen. The house seems to actively manipulate her and punish her.
And that's where this book gets really interesting.
The house isn't just haunted. It becomes a metaphor for the cycle of abuse Loretta has already experienced. The more Loretta gives to the house, the stronger it becomes. The more isolated she gets, the harder it is for her to recognize what is happening. Even her own thoughts and perception of reality begin changing.
I loved how the supernatural horror and the trauma storyline gradually started mirroring each other. The house essentially becomes another abusive relationship, complete with control, isolation, impossible demands, punishment, and Loretta constantly trying to convince herself that everything is fine.
The horror itself is so weird and unsettling. This isn't just your standard ghost-in-the-attic situation. There are some genuinely disturbing moments, and the story keeps escalating into increasingly bizarre territory. The supernatural elements definitely get pretty wild toward the end, and I can see that being a love-it-or-hate-it situation. Personally, I thought the weirdness worked because once I'm reading horror, I'm perfectly happy for things to get completely unhinged.
One thing I especially loved was the humor. Somehow this book manages to be legitimately creepy while also making me laugh. Loretta's narration has a great voice, and Brynn, her best friend, is hilarious. Brynn was easily one of my favorite characters because she provides the tough love Loretta desperately needs. She'll basically look at Loretta's terrible decisions and go, Absolutely not. We are not doing this today.
And the relationships between Loretta, Margie, and Brynn were honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. Beneath all the horror, this is a story about women caring for each other and refusing to let someone they love disappear into an abusive cycle. As Loretta becomes increasingly isolated, those relationships become even more important. Plus, these are black female characters (Loretta is also a lesbian) in a horror book that don’t killed off immediately; that is a definite plus!
There were definitely a few things that didn't work perfectly for me. Some of the supernatural developments were very out there, and the story takes a few turns that may be too strange for those who prefer their paranormal horror to stay somewhat grounded.
But overall, this was such an inventive horror story. It's creepy, funny, gross, emotionally heavy, and surprisingly hopeful all at once.
Most importantly, I loved that the horror isn't just there to scare you. The haunted house gives Loretta a literal manifestation of the trauma she's spent years refusing to confront. Watching her slowly realize that what happened to her wasn't normal, wasn't her fault, and doesn't have to define the rest of her life was probably the most powerful part of the book.
Overall, if you like sentient haunted houses, unreliable narrators, weird supernatural horror, dark humor, and stories about surviving generational trauma, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Because it’s easy to give in now when the only other option is destruction.
For all its haunted-house imagery and supernatural elements, the horror in This House Is Not a Home is ultimately rooted in something far more familiar — abuse, trauma, grief, and the slow process of rediscovering yourself after an experience you thought you would never recover from. At its core, the story explores how Loretta’s past continues to haunt her despite her attempts to convince herself she has moved on, as the sentient house becomes more than just a setting and instead reflects the very things she has spent her life trying to escape.
Part of what made this particularly effective was how much it reminded me of Monster House, which was such a defining horror film for me growing up. Though the book’s horror rarely reached the level of dread I had hoped for, it did manage to unsettle me at times, especially in the way Loretta tried to attune herself to the house’s moods, just as she had learned to navigate her abusive mother’s moods as a child. The way she began to confuse the house’s actions with her mother’s was one of the most striking aspects of the story, as the house’s supernatural manifestations mirrored the familiar patterns of abuse Loretta had grown up with, blurring the line between the horrors she experienced as a child and those she encountered in the present. That said, I did find the prose somewhat lacking at times, often reading more like a summary of scenes than a fully realized novel. While I could appreciate the story’s visual potential, I sometimes wished the writing had done more to immerse me in its atmosphere rather than simply lay out the events unfolding before me.
I also appreciated the diversity of the characters, from the range of identities represented to the use of they/them pronouns and sapphic relationships. There was something refreshing about how naturally these identities existed within the story, allowed to simply be rather than be treated as something out of the ordinary.
The plot twist at the end also came as a welcome surprise. More than simply reframing what came before it, I thought it was a beautiful way to symbolize Loretta’s eventual realization that the person she needed to save was herself all along. After everything she had endured, there was something deeply moving about realizing that a part of her had never stopped wanting to live.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
Dare I say it, but… this was a perfect horror book. I am shocked- this is the authors debut adult novel. And it’s SO GOOD. Because I loved everything about it, I am going to go from things I loved the least (still loved!) to things I loved the most.
First of all, this was FUNNY. I laughed out loud so many times while reading. The narrative voice of Loretta is so good, and Brynn had me laughing too. I think balancing genuine horror with comedy, if done right, can be SO special. Think Widow’s Bay here- spine chilling terror with some genuinely hilarious writing thrown in.
Next off, the horror… the HORROR!!! The horror was so chefs kiss I am in awe. So many things happened in this book that had me peering over my shoulder to make sure there was nothing spooky happening behind me. I really love sentient houses in books and this 100% scratched that itch for me. It’s gory, it’s unsettling, it’s freaky, it’s PERFECT.
The real meat and potatoes of this book: the unflinching look it forces you to take at cycles of abuse and trauma. While Loretta is dealing with a haunted house, she is also dealing with the ghost of her abusive mother. Despite being dead, her mother impacts everything Loretta does, everything she thinks. It ties into the way she interacts with the house so excellently. It broke my heart, and the beautiful sibling dynamics and friendships sewed my heart right back up!
Which leads me into my final point: the female relationships in this book 💕💕 Loretta is very close with her sister, Margie and her friend, Brynn. As the house pulls Loretta deeper into its clutches, those relationships look like they might be the only thing that will save her. Seeing these three women care so much about each other… seeing the lengths they will go to for one another… my heart was so happy to read it. This book was both devastating and so hopeful.
This is truly just such an A1 horror book. I say horror book, but it’s again also a beautiful story about childhood trauma and what starting to heal from that can look like. Lewis balances these two different genres so well in a way I don’t think I’ve really seen in a lot of other authors. I deeply, DEEPLY look forward to her other works.
Dare I say it, but… this was a perfect horror book. I am shocked- this is the authors debut adult novel. And it’s SO GOOD. Because I loved everything about it, I am going to go from things I loved the least (still loved!) to things I loved the most.
First of all, this was FUNNY. I laughed out loud so many times while reading. The narrative voice of Loretta is so good, and Brynn had me laughing too. I think balancing genuine horror with comedy, if done right, can be SO special. Think Widow’s Bay here- spine chilling terror with some genuinely hilarious writing thrown in.
Next off, the horror… the HORROR!!! The horror was so chefs kiss I am in awe. So many things happened in this book that had me peering over my shoulder to make sure there was nothing spooky happening behind me. I really love sentient houses in books and this 100% scratched that itch for me. It’s gory, it’s unsettling, it’s freaky, it’s PERFECT.
The real meat and potatoes of this book: the unflinching look it forces you to take at cycles of abuse and trauma. While Loretta is dealing with a haunted house, she is also dealing with the ghost of her abusive mother. Despite being dead, her mother impacts everything Loretta does, everything she thinks. It ties into the way she interacts with the house so excellently. It broke my heart, and the beautiful sibling dynamics and friendships sewed my heart right back up!
Which leads me into my final point: the female relationships in this book 💕💕 Loretta is very close with her sister, Margie and her friend, Brynn. As the house pulls Loretta deeper into its clutches, those relationships look like they might be the only thing that will save her. Seeing these three women care so much about each other… seeing the lengths they will go to for one another… my heart was so happy to read it. This book was both devastating and so hopeful.
This is truly just such an A1 horror book. I say horror book, but it’s again also a beautiful story about childhood trauma and what starting to heal from that can look like. Lewis balances these two different genres so well in a way I don’t think I’ve really seen in a lot of other authors. I deeply, DEEPLY look forward to her other works.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Weird, gross evil sentient house horror AND it had black female main protagonists?! AND it was written by a woman. Sign me the hell up!!
This was so entertaining and I read it one day. Basically it’s all I thought about all day until I finished it! Please do your self a favor and add this to your TBR! Especially if you’re a horror lover.
If something in life sounds too good to be true, It probably is. This is something that that our main character Lor, could have benefited from remembering but she’s sad and desperate for a redo with life and needs to do what she needs to do to survive the next chapter of her life. So, when a new housesitting job falls in her lap, that comes with quite a bit of money, who is she to say no?
This starts as your typical haunted house read, but the book starts to become so twisted towards the end of the book and it was something I was so not expecting. That’s the kind of twist that either people are gonna love in an entertaining way or they are gonna HATE. Me personally I’m reading horror, anything is up for grabs supernaturally wise and nothing is really off-limits for me so I found it wildly interesting.
There are mentions of domestic violence and child abuse. I did like how the author wrote about the characters generational trauma and their childhood abuse. It was not lost on me that the house slowly became an extension / metaphor of their abuse. I thought it was written about very tastefully for horror.
This was good. I would definitely recommend it for spooky season. Thank you so much for an early readers copy! All opinions and reviews are of my own!
This was so entertaining and I read it one day. Basically it’s all I thought about all day until I finished it! Please do your self a favor and add this to your TBR! Especially if you’re a horror lover.
If something in life sounds too good to be true, It probably is. This is something that that our main character Lor, could have benefited from remembering but she’s sad and desperate for a redo with life and needs to do what she needs to do to survive the next chapter of her life. So, when a new housesitting job falls in her lap, that comes with quite a bit of money, who is she to say no?
This starts as your typical haunted house read, but the book starts to become so twisted towards the end of the book and it was something I was so not expecting. That’s the kind of twist that either people are gonna love in an entertaining way or they are gonna HATE. Me personally I’m reading horror, anything is up for grabs supernaturally wise and nothing is really off-limits for me so I found it wildly interesting.
There are mentions of domestic violence and child abuse. I did like how the author wrote about the characters generational trauma and their childhood abuse. It was not lost on me that the house slowly became an extension / metaphor of their abuse. I thought it was written about very tastefully for horror.
This was good. I would definitely recommend it for spooky season. Thank you so much for an early readers copy! All opinions and reviews are of my own!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Very few reads have married the realistic with the fantastic like This House Is Not a Home did for me. The mix of guilt, shame, rage, grief, and hope that the main character exudes throughout the work feels tangible until she does too, by extension. Without the real, human emotion anchoring the text, the premise of a hungry haunted house could very easily be silly. Instead, the book truly lives up to its horror category.
Chilling and atmospherically creepy, the characters surrounding Loretta help keep the read from being too mired in the gruesome. Considering the topics discussed above, the book still manages to be an easy read, compelling without pulling down into depressing.
I highly recommend This House Is Not a Home to readers who enjoy expertly balanced horror and flawed but lovable characters. There are some potential triggers for certain audiences, though, including graphic physical and emotional abuse of both minors and adults.
Chilling and atmospherically creepy, the characters surrounding Loretta help keep the read from being too mired in the gruesome. Considering the topics discussed above, the book still manages to be an easy read, compelling without pulling down into depressing.
I highly recommend This House Is Not a Home to readers who enjoy expertly balanced horror and flawed but lovable characters. There are some potential triggers for certain audiences, though, including graphic physical and emotional abuse of both minors and adults.
November 3, 2026
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
Jessica Lewis does it again! This is another fantastic story and I cannot get over that ending! So creepy and terrifying, especially the cyclic nature of abuse and the ways Loretta doesn’t feel able or with getting out. I love her dynamic with Margie and Brynn and the complex sister bond she and Margie have after their experiences in abusive household. I loved LJ and was so worried about her there at the end! All of these characters deserve good things and good people in their corners, and I’m glad they have each other. I continue to root for every story Lewis wants to tell and can’t wait to see what she’ll do next; hopefully more adult stories are in the future!
Jessica Lewis does it again! This is another fantastic story and I cannot get over that ending! So creepy and terrifying, especially the cyclic nature of abuse and the ways Loretta doesn’t feel able or with getting out. I love her dynamic with Margie and Brynn and the complex sister bond she and Margie have after their experiences in abusive household. I loved LJ and was so worried about her there at the end! All of these characters deserve good things and good people in their corners, and I’m glad they have each other. I continue to root for every story Lewis wants to tell and can’t wait to see what she’ll do next; hopefully more adult stories are in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I can honestly say I didn't necessarily LOVE this book, but I did really appreciate how creative it was, and I found the twist at the end genuinely disturbing and upsetting in the best possible way, if that makes any sense. I appreciated that the story was creepy without being overly gory or violent, and the psychological horror aspect of it was fantastic. I wish I had been a little more invested in the characters, but overall I found it to be a really memorable read even if it's not one of my recent favorites.
I can honestly say I didn't necessarily LOVE this book, but I did really appreciate how creative it was, and I found the twist at the end genuinely disturbing and upsetting in the best possible way, if that makes any sense. I appreciated that the story was creepy without being overly gory or violent, and the psychological horror aspect of it was fantastic. I wish I had been a little more invested in the characters, but overall I found it to be a really memorable read even if it's not one of my recent favorites.
October 11, 2026
Soooo creepy!! “This House Is Not a Home” by Jessica Lewis had me on the edge of my seat, needing to know what was going to happen next! This is such an unsettling, twisty haunted house story with a very unique plot that kept me hooked. I absolutely loved it! If you love a haunted house story that keeps you guessing, this one is definitely worth picking up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to William Morrow for an ARC of This House Is Not a Home via NetGalley.
While this was not a bad book by any means, it wasn't a horror book...it was a self-discovery book in a horror book costume. Because I was looking for horror, I was mostly bored and not once scared. I do think there is an ideal audience out there for this book, but sadly it was not the right fit for me.
2.5 stars
While this was not a bad book by any means, it wasn't a horror book...it was a self-discovery book in a horror book costume. Because I was looking for horror, I was mostly bored and not once scared. I do think there is an ideal audience out there for this book, but sadly it was not the right fit for me.
2.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
•Review of an Advanced copy received from NetGalley•
I have a soft spot for horror where the house itself becomes more than just a setting—it becomes the haunting. This House Is Not a Home gave me exactly that.
The book opens with conflict, and that tension immediately sets the tone. The chapters are short and quick, but the story is so absorbing that I barely noticed when one ended and the next began. I started out devouring it, flying through the pages, and then somewhere along the way I realized I wanted to slow down and savor it instead.
What makes the story work so well for me is Loretta’s relationship with the house. The more I read, the more it began to feel like an abusive relationship. Loretta is already no stranger to survival. She grew up protecting her younger sister and learning how to appease their mother in an effort to keep the peace and lessen the harm. After her mother’s death, she is left grieving, resentful, and trying to pick up the pieces.
Then an unusual opportunity presents itself: house-sit for six months in exchange for a considerable amount of money. At first, it feels like a way forward. But the longer Loretta stays, the clearer it becomes that the house has its own sinister intentions. What makes that dynamic especially unsettling is how familiar it feels—Loretta once again finds herself adapting, appeasing, and trying to survive something that is slowly tightening its grip around her.
What I especially loved is that the book never stays in one emotional lane. Beneath the horror, there is so much heart. The lighthearted moments, the sisterhood, the empowerment, and the grief all work together in a way that touches so many soft spots.
At its core, this is really a woman’s story of survival—of enduring, adapting, protecting the people she loves, and slowly finding her own strength.
And by the end, all I could really think was: wow.
This House Is Not a Home ended up being so much more than a haunted-house story. It was eerie and unsettling, but also tender, emotional, and deeply rooted in grief, survival, sisterhood, and reclaiming yourself.
I started out devouring this book and ended up slowing down just so I could savor it.
This one stayed with me.
I have a soft spot for horror where the house itself becomes more than just a setting—it becomes the haunting. This House Is Not a Home gave me exactly that.
The book opens with conflict, and that tension immediately sets the tone. The chapters are short and quick, but the story is so absorbing that I barely noticed when one ended and the next began. I started out devouring it, flying through the pages, and then somewhere along the way I realized I wanted to slow down and savor it instead.
What makes the story work so well for me is Loretta’s relationship with the house. The more I read, the more it began to feel like an abusive relationship. Loretta is already no stranger to survival. She grew up protecting her younger sister and learning how to appease their mother in an effort to keep the peace and lessen the harm. After her mother’s death, she is left grieving, resentful, and trying to pick up the pieces.
Then an unusual opportunity presents itself: house-sit for six months in exchange for a considerable amount of money. At first, it feels like a way forward. But the longer Loretta stays, the clearer it becomes that the house has its own sinister intentions. What makes that dynamic especially unsettling is how familiar it feels—Loretta once again finds herself adapting, appeasing, and trying to survive something that is slowly tightening its grip around her.
What I especially loved is that the book never stays in one emotional lane. Beneath the horror, there is so much heart. The lighthearted moments, the sisterhood, the empowerment, and the grief all work together in a way that touches so many soft spots.
At its core, this is really a woman’s story of survival—of enduring, adapting, protecting the people she loves, and slowly finding her own strength.
And by the end, all I could really think was: wow.
This House Is Not a Home ended up being so much more than a haunted-house story. It was eerie and unsettling, but also tender, emotional, and deeply rooted in grief, survival, sisterhood, and reclaiming yourself.
I started out devouring this book and ended up slowing down just so I could savor it.
This one stayed with me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to enjoy this early read -
This House Is Not a Home had several elements that worked well for me, even though the overall story ultimately fell a little outside the type of horror/paranormal fiction I typically enjoy.
I connected personally with the main character’s experience of caring for her mother during her final days, and I thought that emotional element added some genuine depth to the story. There were also moments of suspense that kept me invested, particularly as the mystery surrounding the house began to unfold.
That said, the story eventually became a little too out there for my personal taste — particularly the storyline involving her “twin”/dog. I generally enjoy horror, suspense, and paranormal fiction, but some of the plot developments pushed beyond the kind of supernatural elements I tend to connect with. I also found myself wanting more from some of the characters and wishing a few of the storylines had been developed further.
I appreciated the representation throughout the book, particularly the use of they/them pronouns for one of the characters and the inclusion of sapphic elements. I thought those aspects were handled tastefully and, importantly, never overshadowed the larger themes of the story.
My biggest disappointment was the ending. I wanted more resolution, particularly when it came to the house’s owner. After everything the main character and her friend experienced, I felt that some form of confrontation or justice was warranted. The ending left me wanting a stronger sense of closure.
Overall, I thought this was a well-written book with some genuinely interesting ideas, emotional moments, and suspenseful scenes. Ultimately, though, the plot, some of the character choices, and a few loose ends kept it at 3/5 stars for me.
This House Is Not a Home had several elements that worked well for me, even though the overall story ultimately fell a little outside the type of horror/paranormal fiction I typically enjoy.
I connected personally with the main character’s experience of caring for her mother during her final days, and I thought that emotional element added some genuine depth to the story. There were also moments of suspense that kept me invested, particularly as the mystery surrounding the house began to unfold.
That said, the story eventually became a little too out there for my personal taste — particularly the storyline involving her “twin”/dog. I generally enjoy horror, suspense, and paranormal fiction, but some of the plot developments pushed beyond the kind of supernatural elements I tend to connect with. I also found myself wanting more from some of the characters and wishing a few of the storylines had been developed further.
I appreciated the representation throughout the book, particularly the use of they/them pronouns for one of the characters and the inclusion of sapphic elements. I thought those aspects were handled tastefully and, importantly, never overshadowed the larger themes of the story.
My biggest disappointment was the ending. I wanted more resolution, particularly when it came to the house’s owner. After everything the main character and her friend experienced, I felt that some form of confrontation or justice was warranted. The ending left me wanting a stronger sense of closure.
Overall, I thought this was a well-written book with some genuinely interesting ideas, emotional moments, and suspenseful scenes. Ultimately, though, the plot, some of the character choices, and a few loose ends kept it at 3/5 stars for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Jessica Lewis, Netgalley, and William Morrow for the Advanced Reader Copy of This House is Not a Home. This is a haunted house story with a crazy, disturbing twist at the end. If you are a fan of these tropes, you need to read this.
Loretta is numb after the death of her abusive mother. She’s angry at her sister for not being there with her. Loretta is unemployed, broke and alone. She isn’t exactly sure how her life will go on from here but she’s hoping to at least get a job somewhere, anywhere. That’s when Mr. Fields, the owner of a huge mansion in the middle of nowhere, offers her a job to house-sit the house.
The rules are simple.
Complete daily chores. No overnight guests.
Oh my goodness, I had my jaw to the ground when I finished this novel. I must’ve not read enough haunted house horror because this one felt unique.
For starters, the writing is incredible. I flew through the first few chapters incredibly fast. It was easy and fast-paced. While reading, I could see the house, the strange occurrences, Loretta’s fears in my mind. To me, the ending did not feel predictable. I couldn’t have guessed that. I honestly wished I recorded my reaction once I reached the last 5 chapters because WOW.
This book had the perfect balance between Loretta’s self-discovery and the horror of staying in a creepy mansion. It didn’t feel like it was too much of one thing. This was a solid 5 stars for me. I enjoyed everything about it!
It was sad, scary and amazing! If this sounds like something you would like to read, definitely add this book to your TBR.
Loretta is numb after the death of her abusive mother. She’s angry at her sister for not being there with her. Loretta is unemployed, broke and alone. She isn’t exactly sure how her life will go on from here but she’s hoping to at least get a job somewhere, anywhere. That’s when Mr. Fields, the owner of a huge mansion in the middle of nowhere, offers her a job to house-sit the house.
The rules are simple.
Complete daily chores. No overnight guests.
Oh my goodness, I had my jaw to the ground when I finished this novel. I must’ve not read enough haunted house horror because this one felt unique.
For starters, the writing is incredible. I flew through the first few chapters incredibly fast. It was easy and fast-paced. While reading, I could see the house, the strange occurrences, Loretta’s fears in my mind. To me, the ending did not feel predictable. I couldn’t have guessed that. I honestly wished I recorded my reaction once I reached the last 5 chapters because WOW.
This book had the perfect balance between Loretta’s self-discovery and the horror of staying in a creepy mansion. It didn’t feel like it was too much of one thing. This was a solid 5 stars for me. I enjoyed everything about it!
It was sad, scary and amazing! If this sounds like something you would like to read, definitely add this book to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📖 TITLE: This House Is Not a Home
✍️ AUTHOR: Jessica Lewis
🗓️ RELEASE DATE: April 6, 2027
🏢 PUBLISHER: William Morrow
🧠 Vibes: Adult Horror Debut • Carnivorous Houses • Family Trauma • Grotesque Chores • Escaping the Cycle
✨ REVIEW:
If you loved Jessica Lewis’s incredible YA horror Bad Witch Burning, brace yourselves—her adult horror debut is an absolute waking nightmare in the best way possible!
🩸🏠 This House Is Not a Home follows Loretta, a young woman numb with grief after the passing of her abusive mother. Unemployed, isolated, and completely out of options, she takes a live-in housekeeping job at a massive, secluded estate. The pay? Thousands of dollars a week in cash. The rules? Only two: finish the daily chores left in the mailbox, and absolutely no overnight guests.
It sounds like the perfect escape, but things sour fast. What starts as standard cleaning quickly spirals into grotesque, escalating demands for Loretta’s own flesh and blood.
🥩💀 Because of her miserable childhood, Loretta is tragically well-trained to survive this kind of abuse, and she isolates herself deeper within the clutches of this carnivorous mansion.
This book is a deeply unsettling, trippy, and claustrophobic look at trauma and the comfort of familiar, toxic cycles. Perfect for fans of Carissa Orlando and Monika Kim!
Highly recommend hitting that preorder button immediately. Sometimes home is not where the heart is... sometimes it wants yours. 🖤
✍️ AUTHOR: Jessica Lewis
🗓️ RELEASE DATE: April 6, 2027
🏢 PUBLISHER: William Morrow
🧠 Vibes: Adult Horror Debut • Carnivorous Houses • Family Trauma • Grotesque Chores • Escaping the Cycle
✨ REVIEW:
If you loved Jessica Lewis’s incredible YA horror Bad Witch Burning, brace yourselves—her adult horror debut is an absolute waking nightmare in the best way possible!
🩸🏠 This House Is Not a Home follows Loretta, a young woman numb with grief after the passing of her abusive mother. Unemployed, isolated, and completely out of options, she takes a live-in housekeeping job at a massive, secluded estate. The pay? Thousands of dollars a week in cash. The rules? Only two: finish the daily chores left in the mailbox, and absolutely no overnight guests.
It sounds like the perfect escape, but things sour fast. What starts as standard cleaning quickly spirals into grotesque, escalating demands for Loretta’s own flesh and blood.
🥩💀 Because of her miserable childhood, Loretta is tragically well-trained to survive this kind of abuse, and she isolates herself deeper within the clutches of this carnivorous mansion.
This book is a deeply unsettling, trippy, and claustrophobic look at trauma and the comfort of familiar, toxic cycles. Perfect for fans of Carissa Orlando and Monika Kim!
Highly recommend hitting that preorder button immediately. Sometimes home is not where the heart is... sometimes it wants yours. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This House is Not a Home By Jessica Lewis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Loretta takes a live-in housekeeping job that promises a fresh start, but the strange and increasingly disturbing demands soon turn her new home into a nightmare she can't seem to escape.
Review:
OKAY, can I just say how this book got me in probably the most perfect time? I DEVOURED THIS IN ONE DAY. I went from one page to another until I finally got to the end. It's creepy, absurd, unhinged, and heartbreaking — YES, heartbreaking.
I don't know if this is intentional but I loved the symbolism of the house. The protagonist's inability to acknowledge the painful and abusive childhood that she had lead her in a house which eventually reminded her of her now deceased mother. Even though the book discussed or brushed into 'deep' topics, I liked that it was still an easy read in general.
What I probably didn't like was the dog (I'll stop here because I just know most will have the same thoughts with me when it comes to the dog) (I'll say though, it was a definitely a reach for my liking).
Other than that, I think this is a particularly enjoyable book, just don't expect it to be like the other horror books maybe? 🤓
Thank you to William Morrow publishing via NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read such an amazing book! All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Loretta takes a live-in housekeeping job that promises a fresh start, but the strange and increasingly disturbing demands soon turn her new home into a nightmare she can't seem to escape.
Review:
OKAY, can I just say how this book got me in probably the most perfect time? I DEVOURED THIS IN ONE DAY. I went from one page to another until I finally got to the end. It's creepy, absurd, unhinged, and heartbreaking — YES, heartbreaking.
I don't know if this is intentional but I loved the symbolism of the house. The protagonist's inability to acknowledge the painful and abusive childhood that she had lead her in a house which eventually reminded her of her now deceased mother. Even though the book discussed or brushed into 'deep' topics, I liked that it was still an easy read in general.
What I probably didn't like was the dog (I'll stop here because I just know most will have the same thoughts with me when it comes to the dog) (I'll say though, it was a definitely a reach for my liking).
Other than that, I think this is a particularly enjoyable book, just don't expect it to be like the other horror books maybe? 🤓
Thank you to William Morrow publishing via NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read such an amazing book! All opinions are my own.
November 1, 2026
For full transparency, there is not a single book by Jessica Lewis that I have not loved. She is, by far, one of my favorite authors.
This House Is Not A Home may be my favorite yet. Lewis’ YA horror is great, and the adult horror debut surpasses it.
This book is full of everything I want in a haunted house story - a complex MC, wonderful side characters, and, of course, a sentient house that wants to eat you. What else could you ask for?
Having followed Lewis for a few years now, she makes no secrets of how her own personal story influenced this book, and you can feel it in every page. You can feel it in Loretta’s unrecognized strength and in Margie and Brynn’s unwavering dedication. The way the house’s abuse becomes muddled in Loretta’s mind with her mother’s abuse - it hit me like a freight train while reading and I had to take a minute to process what a perfect choice that was for this book.
LJ’s transformation is perfection. I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.
I always love the way that horror makes us face and understand some of the toughest topics and experiences of being human. The way this book deals with grief, shame, and depression is spot-on, while also giving the creepy aspects one expects from the genre. Needless to say, I loved it.
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.
This House Is Not A Home may be my favorite yet. Lewis’ YA horror is great, and the adult horror debut surpasses it.
This book is full of everything I want in a haunted house story - a complex MC, wonderful side characters, and, of course, a sentient house that wants to eat you. What else could you ask for?
Having followed Lewis for a few years now, she makes no secrets of how her own personal story influenced this book, and you can feel it in every page. You can feel it in Loretta’s unrecognized strength and in Margie and Brynn’s unwavering dedication. The way the house’s abuse becomes muddled in Loretta’s mind with her mother’s abuse - it hit me like a freight train while reading and I had to take a minute to process what a perfect choice that was for this book.
LJ’s transformation is perfection. I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.
I always love the way that horror makes us face and understand some of the toughest topics and experiences of being human. The way this book deals with grief, shame, and depression is spot-on, while also giving the creepy aspects one expects from the genre. Needless to say, I loved it.
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
House Is Not a Home follows Loretta, a woman barely scraping by and grieving the death of her abusive mother. Estranged from her younger sister and already struggling to keep her life together, things get even worse when she loses her job. She is depressed, drowning her grief in alcohol, and has withdrawn from her best friend.
She gets a job taking care of a large, new house outside of town as a live-in housekeeper. The pay is thousands of dollars a week in cash, but there are two simple rules she has to follow: finish the daily chores left in the mailbox, and absolutely no overnight guests.
At first, the job seems almost too good to be true, but Loretta soon realizes there is much more to the house than meets the eye. What starts as a routine cleaning job quickly turns into disturbing demands, and the strange rules surrounding the house become harder and harder to ignore.
This book follows themes of abuse and trauma, grief, and escaping toxicity.
Thanks to NetGalley & William Morrow Publishers for an advanced copy of this book.
She gets a job taking care of a large, new house outside of town as a live-in housekeeper. The pay is thousands of dollars a week in cash, but there are two simple rules she has to follow: finish the daily chores left in the mailbox, and absolutely no overnight guests.
At first, the job seems almost too good to be true, but Loretta soon realizes there is much more to the house than meets the eye. What starts as a routine cleaning job quickly turns into disturbing demands, and the strange rules surrounding the house become harder and harder to ignore.
This book follows themes of abuse and trauma, grief, and escaping toxicity.
Thanks to NetGalley & William Morrow Publishers for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In as few words as I can muster, I loved this book!
It took me a few minutes to get fully invested, but when I did, I was hooked.
Loretta is just barely getting by, scraping along, when she gets an offer to housesit for six months for the owner of a luxurious home. When they say "too good to be true...they ain't kiddin'".
I'm not going into detail about the story or plot. The blurb will take care of that for me. What I will say is that I'm not usually surprised by books. I read a lot and it takes something big to surprise me. I found several surprises in this one. Some actual "ewwww" moments. And a couple of actual "ughhhh" responses.
Give it a few pages to really start cooking. Once Loretta gets in the house, the rollercoaster begins...and there's no way off this track.
I'm already checking into the author's backlist for other gems.
My thanks, as always, to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read before pub date.
It took me a few minutes to get fully invested, but when I did, I was hooked.
Loretta is just barely getting by, scraping along, when she gets an offer to housesit for six months for the owner of a luxurious home. When they say "too good to be true...they ain't kiddin'".
I'm not going into detail about the story or plot. The blurb will take care of that for me. What I will say is that I'm not usually surprised by books. I read a lot and it takes something big to surprise me. I found several surprises in this one. Some actual "ewwww" moments. And a couple of actual "ughhhh" responses.
Give it a few pages to really start cooking. Once Loretta gets in the house, the rollercoaster begins...and there's no way off this track.
I'm already checking into the author's backlist for other gems.
My thanks, as always, to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read before pub date.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the third sentient house book I've read in the last year, and I've yet to be disappointed! Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Jessica Lewis for a chance to read an early copy.
Somehow this felt like a light read while simultaneously being incredibly evocative. The prose was very straightforward. Rather than relying on the poetic descriptions more common to house-centric horror, Lewis just lays it out there with a brashness that bordered on triggering, rather than cathartic. The escalating tension was palpable, and the ending struck such a discordant note that I was left a little off kilter. While some may be less than thrilled with that, I actually prefer horror that doesn't wrap up nice and neat. It makes the experience feel more genuine.
This was a disturbing read that I enjoyed very much.
Somehow this felt like a light read while simultaneously being incredibly evocative. The prose was very straightforward. Rather than relying on the poetic descriptions more common to house-centric horror, Lewis just lays it out there with a brashness that bordered on triggering, rather than cathartic. The escalating tension was palpable, and the ending struck such a discordant note that I was left a little off kilter. While some may be less than thrilled with that, I actually prefer horror that doesn't wrap up nice and neat. It makes the experience feel more genuine.
This was a disturbing read that I enjoyed very much.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This House is Not a Home is about Loretta who just lost her abusive mother, grieving and recently unemployed, she gets a job being a housekeeper but the chores get weird and painful...
This book was immaculate, the house as metaphor for an abusive relationship was chef's kiss! I felt so seen by Loretta in the way she felt about herself and being the eldest daughter. The way adults can let you down by ignoring the abuse happening.
The dread Jessica wrote in this story was great, there were times where I was so stressed out and I love a sentient house! I thought the pacing was even and it never got slow for me at all. I loved all the characters and really rooted for Loretta.
I loved everything about this book and wish I could give it 1000 ⭐
Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the eARC!
This book was immaculate, the house as metaphor for an abusive relationship was chef's kiss! I felt so seen by Loretta in the way she felt about herself and being the eldest daughter. The way adults can let you down by ignoring the abuse happening.
The dread Jessica wrote in this story was great, there were times where I was so stressed out and I love a sentient house! I thought the pacing was even and it never got slow for me at all. I loved all the characters and really rooted for Loretta.
I loved everything about this book and wish I could give it 1000 ⭐
Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had to let this book sink in before I wrote a review. There were a lot of moving parts and the story line was deep. It was a horror book and the MC was dealing with many heavy issues so check for trigger warnings. I am worried anything I say maybe a spoiler so I will just break it down if you are a person who likes-
Horror
LGBTQ
Psychological books
Dogs
Abuse (no one likes this, but is part of the story)
Tight friendships
I rated it 4/5 starts because it was a good read and to me moved quick and made me think a little deeper about people's issues and what goes on behind closed doors. Literally.
Thank you to William Morrow publishers and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC book in return for my honest opinion.
Horror
LGBTQ
Psychological books
Dogs
Abuse (no one likes this, but is part of the story)
Tight friendships
I rated it 4/5 starts because it was a good read and to me moved quick and made me think a little deeper about people's issues and what goes on behind closed doors. Literally.
Thank you to William Morrow publishers and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC book in return for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to New Galley for the advanced copy of this book.
This book follows a woman that gets a job living in a mansion and keeping it clean. She is a survivor of a traumatic childhood and has just buried her mother She has no idea that this job is much more than just keeping a house clean, this house wants her to give herself to it...literally.
The book was fast paced, but I really did not care for the main character Loretta. This book did have some creepy moments, and it was fast paced, but I feel like I have read this concept many times before. I would recommend this book to people that have been through trauma such as Loretta has, it is a story about finding your strength and not really a scary horror book. I am rating it 3.75 stars
This book follows a woman that gets a job living in a mansion and keeping it clean. She is a survivor of a traumatic childhood and has just buried her mother She has no idea that this job is much more than just keeping a house clean, this house wants her to give herself to it...literally.
The book was fast paced, but I really did not care for the main character Loretta. This book did have some creepy moments, and it was fast paced, but I feel like I have read this concept many times before. I would recommend this book to people that have been through trauma such as Loretta has, it is a story about finding your strength and not really a scary horror book. I am rating it 3.75 stars
October 22, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!
This was such an easy read, and I could absolutely see it becoming a movie. It blends horror and mystery with some surprisingly funny one-liners and conversations that I really enjoyed.
The story follows a woman who takes a job at a haunted house while dealing with grief, regret, and the trauma of her past. The house feels like a character itself, dictating her daily chores and controlling what she can do. As it keeps taking more from her, she has to work through the pain she’s been carrying.
I loved how much emotional depth there was alongside the creepy moments. I didn’t expect a horror book to make me feel so much, especially through her beautiful bond with the dog. That connection really pulled at my heartstrings by the end!
This was such an easy read, and I could absolutely see it becoming a movie. It blends horror and mystery with some surprisingly funny one-liners and conversations that I really enjoyed.
The story follows a woman who takes a job at a haunted house while dealing with grief, regret, and the trauma of her past. The house feels like a character itself, dictating her daily chores and controlling what she can do. As it keeps taking more from her, she has to work through the pain she’s been carrying.
I loved how much emotional depth there was alongside the creepy moments. I didn’t expect a horror book to make me feel so much, especially through her beautiful bond with the dog. That connection really pulled at my heartstrings by the end!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An absolutely devastating, haunting, and impossible to put down story.
Loretta starts this story grieving the loss of her late mother and struggling financially. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to earn cash house-sitting, this quickly morphs into a chillingly original haunted house story.
The rules start off simple, but as they escalate, Loretta is forced to face things from her heartbreaking past. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter, but what caught me off guard was how emotional it is. It’s a breathtaking exploration of trauma, loss, grief and forgiveness.
If you love a unique psychological horror that pulls at your heartstrings while keeping you afraid to turn the page, do not sleep on this book!
Loretta starts this story grieving the loss of her late mother and struggling financially. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to earn cash house-sitting, this quickly morphs into a chillingly original haunted house story.
The rules start off simple, but as they escalate, Loretta is forced to face things from her heartbreaking past. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter, but what caught me off guard was how emotional it is. It’s a breathtaking exploration of trauma, loss, grief and forgiveness.
If you love a unique psychological horror that pulls at your heartstrings while keeping you afraid to turn the page, do not sleep on this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an arc by the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
Sheesh! This book was hard to read for me, especially in terms of abuse and trying so hard to win the affection of a parent like that. I relate to the main character so deeply and rooted for her in everything. The lows and the highs. I just wanted her to survive. And in some ways, by living through abuse, we all do. Healing from something like that takes time and as long as you have a strong group of people behind you. (Or in case a fuzzy one). It can make the easy days easier and the hardest days a little less hard.
Sheesh! This book was hard to read for me, especially in terms of abuse and trying so hard to win the affection of a parent like that. I relate to the main character so deeply and rooted for her in everything. The lows and the highs. I just wanted her to survive. And in some ways, by living through abuse, we all do. Healing from something like that takes time and as long as you have a strong group of people behind you. (Or in case a fuzzy one). It can make the easy days easier and the hardest days a little less hard.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an advanced copy received by NetGalley. Rating this 3.5 stars. This House Is Not a Home delivers a genuinely creepy premise and a heavy, suffocating atmosphere. Jessica Lewis does a great job blending classic haunted house with real emotional weight around grief and family trauma, making the central home feel as alive and sinister as any villain.
The middle slows a bit too much gets in repetitive character conflicts, and after all that slow-burn setup, the climax wraps up too fast with a few plot threads left hanging.
The middle slows a bit too much gets in repetitive character conflicts, and after all that slow-burn setup, the climax wraps up too fast with a few plot threads left hanging.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this book.
I will admit that for me it started out a little slow and didn't really pull me in until about 1/3 of the way through, but once I was pulled in I was in for a wild ride. It got to the point that I didn't want to put the book down and if I hadn't had responsibilities I would have stayed up all night and finished it.
This book in an amazing mix of horror, gore, love, trauma, and a little bit of self acceptance. I definitely recommend checking it out.
I will admit that for me it started out a little slow and didn't really pull me in until about 1/3 of the way through, but once I was pulled in I was in for a wild ride. It got to the point that I didn't want to put the book down and if I hadn't had responsibilities I would have stayed up all night and finished it.
This book in an amazing mix of horror, gore, love, trauma, and a little bit of self acceptance. I definitely recommend checking it out.
October 5, 2026
I had the pleasure of being selected to be an ARC reader for this book. This book was wonderful from start to end, it had me in a chokehold I just couldn’t stop reading! If you like haunted things and unpredictable twists this book is for you! I honestly can’t wait for it to be released so I can purchase a copy for myself! This was a first by this author for me and it most definitely won’t be my last, what a wonderful writer! I honestly felt like I was inside this book that’s how great it is!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital advanced reader copy and this is my honest review. I just finished reading this book and I find myself sitting here thinking of all the emotions this story caused to emerge in my own psyche. This is more than a haunted house story. This dives deep into grief, abuse-both physical and emotional, and self love. How does Loretta survive not just a haunted home but her own demons.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A haunted house but… it’s someone who can’t leave an abusive situation. This will cut you deep. It’s 100 percent symbolic and very well done. I really appreciated Loretta and LJ’s companionship. I love how the end goes off the rails in the best way. Easy to read and hard to put down—I finished it in a day.
Thanks NetGalley and William Morrow Books! Pub date April 6, 2027.
Thanks NetGalley and William Morrow Books! Pub date April 6, 2027.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews