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Our Love Will Devour Us
A remote cabin in A snowy forest could be the perfect place for Claire and Emma to work on their marriage and bond with their two children, if only it didn’t come with so many memories of Claire’s inhumane treatment at the hands of her abusive mother, and if only the strange abandoned schoolhouse nearby didn’t have a dark history of its own. When their children go missing in a snowstorm, the two mothers must put their personal troubles aside and rely on one another to get them back, but nothing has prepared them to face the ever-growing horror that steps lightly in the storm.
Soon the two mothers are forced to ask themselves, how far would you go to save the ones you love?
Our Love Will Devour Us is a novel about the bonds of family, the depths of love, and things that hunger in the dark.
Soon the two mothers are forced to ask themselves, how far would you go to save the ones you love?
Our Love Will Devour Us is a novel about the bonds of family, the depths of love, and things that hunger in the dark.
328 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 6, 2024
Our Love will Devour Us is a survival horror story with an isolated setting. I do love a good cabin in the woods story but somehow this one failed to hit the mark for me completely. The setting was exquisite. Thrashing snow storms and gale force winds was the perfect backdrop to a story which at its centre was about a family trying to survive the storm that is, themselves.
Claire and Emma's marriage is in tatters. Claire is an alcoholic and Emma, the epitome of helicopter parent. Things haven't been good between them in a long time. Claire's mum has been presumed dead after she went missing from her cabin one night. Suffering from dementia everyone assumed she was dead, but no body has so far been recovered. Claire goes to the cabin to clear out her mother's belongings and get it ready to sell. It would go a long way in solving their current financial woes.
Emma decides to get the kids, Lily and Silas onto a plane and surprise Claire. Their arrival is not received well. I actually found Claire and Emma to be very unlikable. They're very selfish and their constant arguing was clearly affecting the kids but they just couldn't stop. I found myself getting quite angry. The only people I really felt sorry for in this story was the kids. Claire had a lot of unresolved trauma from the abuse her mother subjected her to but I still couldn't muster any sympathy for her due to the way she treated her family.
The book also could of done with being 100-150 pages shorter, I just felt like a lot of it was unnecessary. It was about 50-60% before the horror really started.
Claire and Emma's marriage is in tatters. Claire is an alcoholic and Emma, the epitome of helicopter parent. Things haven't been good between them in a long time. Claire's mum has been presumed dead after she went missing from her cabin one night. Suffering from dementia everyone assumed she was dead, but no body has so far been recovered. Claire goes to the cabin to clear out her mother's belongings and get it ready to sell. It would go a long way in solving their current financial woes.
Emma decides to get the kids, Lily and Silas onto a plane and surprise Claire. Their arrival is not received well. I actually found Claire and Emma to be very unlikable. They're very selfish and their constant arguing was clearly affecting the kids but they just couldn't stop. I found myself getting quite angry. The only people I really felt sorry for in this story was the kids. Claire had a lot of unresolved trauma from the abuse her mother subjected her to but I still couldn't muster any sympathy for her due to the way she treated her family.
The book also could of done with being 100-150 pages shorter, I just felt like a lot of it was unnecessary. It was about 50-60% before the horror really started.
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June 18, 2023Please note, I do not rate on Goodreads.
I loved this novel! The horror rolled in like a storm until it devoured me. I made hardly any notes as I read, but that's a good thing, as it meant my attention was totally taken up by the story. I particularly enjoyed the unique take on possession horror and the way in which the author built up the characters and historic events so that we cared enough to be gutted about having our hearts torn in two.
Great imagery, and such an emotional ending! Highly recommend!
I loved this novel! The horror rolled in like a storm until it devoured me. I made hardly any notes as I read, but that's a good thing, as it meant my attention was totally taken up by the story. I particularly enjoyed the unique take on possession horror and the way in which the author built up the characters and historic events so that we cared enough to be gutted about having our hearts torn in two.
Great imagery, and such an emotional ending! Highly recommend!
August 8, 2023
This book is an obvious five star read for many reasons.
A married couple have some problems. When Claire goes to her childhood home after her mother dies Emma decides it’s a good idea to surprise her wife and goes there shortly after with their kids. Then their kids go missing… the rest you’ll have to read yourself and I promise you’re not going to regret it.
This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read for multiple reasons. First the writing style. The author immediately sucks you into the world because the book is so easy to follow along to. This way I get too lost into the story and that makes it so thrilling.
But my favorite thing about this book is the incredibly realistic relation between the characters and their behavior. When the kids of the married go missing Claire and Emma are obviously very stressed and scared. The way they talk to each other and behave during felt so real. They bickered sometimes but during the really stressful parts they were definitely there for each other even though they had marriage problems.
Next is the relation between the two kids. Lily and Silas. Lily is the older sibling and that’s very noticeable in how she cares for her little brother and makes sure he is safe. Of course in every household it’s different but I recognized this dynamic in my own relationship with my little brother and immediately connected with Lily. (Maybe that’s why she is my favorite character.)
I can’t explain well how much I adore the relations and I really think you should read it yourself to see how amazing and talented this writer is!!
So would I recommend it?? Yes definitely. Everyone who has been reading thrilled for a while or who just started reading thrillers will definitely enjoy this one. It’s a paranormal thriller which I normally don’t really enjoy but this was amazing. It’s so easy to get into and you wont stop reading once you start!
Thank you to booksirens and the author/publisher for giving me the arc in exchange for a honest review!
A married couple have some problems. When Claire goes to her childhood home after her mother dies Emma decides it’s a good idea to surprise her wife and goes there shortly after with their kids. Then their kids go missing… the rest you’ll have to read yourself and I promise you’re not going to regret it.
This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read for multiple reasons. First the writing style. The author immediately sucks you into the world because the book is so easy to follow along to. This way I get too lost into the story and that makes it so thrilling.
But my favorite thing about this book is the incredibly realistic relation between the characters and their behavior. When the kids of the married go missing Claire and Emma are obviously very stressed and scared. The way they talk to each other and behave during felt so real. They bickered sometimes but during the really stressful parts they were definitely there for each other even though they had marriage problems.
Next is the relation between the two kids. Lily and Silas. Lily is the older sibling and that’s very noticeable in how she cares for her little brother and makes sure he is safe. Of course in every household it’s different but I recognized this dynamic in my own relationship with my little brother and immediately connected with Lily. (Maybe that’s why she is my favorite character.)
I can’t explain well how much I adore the relations and I really think you should read it yourself to see how amazing and talented this writer is!!
So would I recommend it?? Yes definitely. Everyone who has been reading thrilled for a while or who just started reading thrillers will definitely enjoy this one. It’s a paranormal thriller which I normally don’t really enjoy but this was amazing. It’s so easy to get into and you wont stop reading once you start!
Thank you to booksirens and the author/publisher for giving me the arc in exchange for a honest review!
June 12, 2023
Tiktok did it again
What a ride. This book is scary and well written. When I was in the woods at my own house it had me creeped out, which is always a good sign. Definitely recommend!
What a ride. This book is scary and well written. When I was in the woods at my own house it had me creeped out, which is always a good sign. Definitely recommend!
June 19, 2023
I really loved this book. Had me on the edge of my seat from the first sentence to the last.
May 28, 2023
Genuinely terrifying, Meza's isolated world pulls you in and keeps you turning pages. Our Love Will Devour Us is a stunning exploration of family, trauma, and sacrifice. It left a scar on my heart that'll never vanish.
August 14, 2023
What. a. ride.
Someone turn this into a movie asap. It's the only thing I could think about through the last 50% of the story, it's just so good and would be so cool to watch on screen.
I love a good thriller and am often disappointed in the ending or the final reveal, but this one didn't let me down.
Just imagine a couple on the brink of splitting and their two kids in the middle of snowy nowhere, with a missing grandma and strange footprints and objects appearing here and there, and then the kids go missing. You are NOT ready for the insane events following their disappearance.
I loved every second of it. The dynamic between the moms was rendered perfectly, with them working through their issues but tension always lingering. They both had such different personalities and relationships with the kids, they felt REAL. Making characters feel real is quite the task, and it was achieved here. I also appreaciated that thei reactions and decisions were believable, realistic depending on their emotional state etc.
The plot itself wasn't rushed, didn't take too long, just well balanced. I didn't expect things to unravel the way they did, and I found myself almost nauseous after a certain part. Not just any book or movie is capable of actually giving me nightmares or making me feel sick to my stomach, so props to the author.
I loved the less common aspects of the story, for example you don't find many thrillers with a lesbian couple and even less as parents. I also particularly enjoyed the part on american/native history and the atrocities committed against the native people. The specific point of history tackled in this book is one I never read about in any other book or heard about much, only briefly in history class. I loved how it was addressed through diary entries; diary entries are such a top-tier device in thrillers.
Anyway, if you're looking for a snowy supernatural thriller, this book is waiting for you!
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
Someone turn this into a movie asap. It's the only thing I could think about through the last 50% of the story, it's just so good and would be so cool to watch on screen.
I love a good thriller and am often disappointed in the ending or the final reveal, but this one didn't let me down.
Just imagine a couple on the brink of splitting and their two kids in the middle of snowy nowhere, with a missing grandma and strange footprints and objects appearing here and there, and then the kids go missing. You are NOT ready for the insane events following their disappearance.
I loved every second of it. The dynamic between the moms was rendered perfectly, with them working through their issues but tension always lingering. They both had such different personalities and relationships with the kids, they felt REAL. Making characters feel real is quite the task, and it was achieved here. I also appreaciated that thei reactions and decisions were believable, realistic depending on their emotional state etc.
The plot itself wasn't rushed, didn't take too long, just well balanced. I didn't expect things to unravel the way they did, and I found myself almost nauseous after a certain part. Not just any book or movie is capable of actually giving me nightmares or making me feel sick to my stomach, so props to the author.
I loved the less common aspects of the story, for example you don't find many thrillers with a lesbian couple and even less as parents. I also particularly enjoyed the part on american/native history and the atrocities committed against the native people. The specific point of history tackled in this book is one I never read about in any other book or heard about much, only briefly in history class. I loved how it was addressed through diary entries; diary entries are such a top-tier device in thrillers.
Anyway, if you're looking for a snowy supernatural thriller, this book is waiting for you!
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
October 31, 2023
“Thinking of her children strengthened her resolve. She squared her shoulders, forced a smile. Whatever it took, she would get through this — for her family.”
📚
Our Love Will Devour Us opens as protagonist Claire leaves her wife, Emma, and their two children, Silas and Lily, in California while she returns to her mother Deborah’s deserted, snowy cabin following her disappearance and presumed death. Intending to sort out her mother’s affairs and sell the ramshackle abode — Claire’s childhood residence, from which she fled at a young age following years of abuse — Claire is also in need of alone time to deal with her drinking, past trauma, and failing marriage.
When Emma surprises Claire by arriving with Silas and Lily in tow, the intended happy holiday reunion turns into an explosive rekindling of personal troubles, after which Silas and Lily disappear in the midst of a snowstorm. What happened to the children, and can Claire and Emma work together to find them before it’s too late? And what of the strange sights, smells, and sounds they experience, as well as the nearby abandoned, creepy, dark-historied, lake-adjacent school grounds?
This book is an absolutely devastating experience, evoking feelings of panic, tension, and terror that intensify as the story progresses, driving home the brutal and terrifying subject that is possession horror. Setting and atmosphere play a huge role, as the reader can actually feel the powerful storm winds, pelting snow, and freezing temperatures, as well as the mortal dread of facing malevolent forces and the inner turmoil and anxiety of being isolated without resources, means of self-defense, or contact with the outside world.
Helpful neighbor, Evelyn, and her faithful dog, Oscar, are bright spots amid constant upheaval, functioning as a lifeline and saving grace as the storyline descends into hellish chaos, while the gothic historical saga that forms the adjacent ruins’ backdrop is as gruesome and appalling as the story’s prime narrative. With a deeply resonant title, these elements combine to form a truly heartbreaking and haunting tale of love, loss, evil, sacrifice, family, and forgiveness.
A huge thank you to Dark Matter INK for sending me a copy of this incredible novel.
📚
Our Love Will Devour Us opens as protagonist Claire leaves her wife, Emma, and their two children, Silas and Lily, in California while she returns to her mother Deborah’s deserted, snowy cabin following her disappearance and presumed death. Intending to sort out her mother’s affairs and sell the ramshackle abode — Claire’s childhood residence, from which she fled at a young age following years of abuse — Claire is also in need of alone time to deal with her drinking, past trauma, and failing marriage.
When Emma surprises Claire by arriving with Silas and Lily in tow, the intended happy holiday reunion turns into an explosive rekindling of personal troubles, after which Silas and Lily disappear in the midst of a snowstorm. What happened to the children, and can Claire and Emma work together to find them before it’s too late? And what of the strange sights, smells, and sounds they experience, as well as the nearby abandoned, creepy, dark-historied, lake-adjacent school grounds?
This book is an absolutely devastating experience, evoking feelings of panic, tension, and terror that intensify as the story progresses, driving home the brutal and terrifying subject that is possession horror. Setting and atmosphere play a huge role, as the reader can actually feel the powerful storm winds, pelting snow, and freezing temperatures, as well as the mortal dread of facing malevolent forces and the inner turmoil and anxiety of being isolated without resources, means of self-defense, or contact with the outside world.
Helpful neighbor, Evelyn, and her faithful dog, Oscar, are bright spots amid constant upheaval, functioning as a lifeline and saving grace as the storyline descends into hellish chaos, while the gothic historical saga that forms the adjacent ruins’ backdrop is as gruesome and appalling as the story’s prime narrative. With a deeply resonant title, these elements combine to form a truly heartbreaking and haunting tale of love, loss, evil, sacrifice, family, and forgiveness.
A huge thank you to Dark Matter INK for sending me a copy of this incredible novel.
August 19, 2023
Our Love Will Devour Us explores the themes of familial love and forgiveness in an exciting horror story that draws the reader in quickly. The writing is so engaging and descriptive that you can't help but be moved by the plight of the characters as the story unfolds.
This was creepy, shocking, and scary all at the same time!
I truly loved how this book takes the reader through a whole range of emotions before depositing us into the darkest depths of horror. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, the story takes a nosedive into the most unimaginable territory. The writing was so clear and captivating, it was hard to put down this book!
This is the kind of book I'd recommend as a gift for horror fans, long road trips, and for folks up in the country facing a long winter ahead.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was creepy, shocking, and scary all at the same time!
I truly loved how this book takes the reader through a whole range of emotions before depositing us into the darkest depths of horror. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, the story takes a nosedive into the most unimaginable territory. The writing was so clear and captivating, it was hard to put down this book!
This is the kind of book I'd recommend as a gift for horror fans, long road trips, and for folks up in the country facing a long winter ahead.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2023
Review on substack June 16
September 5, 2023
It was an okay book to read. I wouldn't give it more than three stars The book cover was better than the book
June 5, 2023
Excellent debut novel. I have been following this author’s short stories for years and was excited to see the debut novel. This author’s writing style is so easy to follow that I just fell head first in and devoured it. No pun intended. I am not one for wordy reviews or spoilers but will say that as a mother, this one really hit me in both the feels and the terror. A must read!
July 12, 2023
Terrifying and heartbreaking at the same time, this book will grab you and not let go. You will stay up late to keep reading, and you won’t want to turn the light off. Every time I try to write this response, I give up because no words can accurately describe how it made me feel. I don’t cry when I read books often, but I cried during this one. I want to read everything R. L. Meza has ever written.
September 28, 2023
Review below, and links to full review in many mediums below as well. ☺️
Booktube Video: https://youtu.be/BVfvxSzm6oc?si=FUK5b...
Blog Post: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com...
Anchor.FM and other Podcast Flatforms: https://anchor.fm/rbtbc-20
YouTube Audioblog/Podcast: https://youtu.be/h5f7erKakRo?si=NfFb3...
REVIEW
If you haven’t done so already, please go to BookSirens and peruse through their catalog. I’ve come across some entertaining stories through their platform; Darknesses, How to Be a Better Adult, and now, Our Love Will Devour Us.
Our Love Will Devour Us follows a married couple whose testy relationship is further bowed under pressure once their two children go missing during a snowstorm. As time passes, decision-making becomes increasingly difficult, temperatures sharply decrease, and tempers and toxic memories kick up. Can Emma and Claire work past their differences to find their children and mend their family? You’ll have to read to find out :-).
Some aspects that may be a bother to some readers, I rather enjoyed, and vice versa; pacing, the obvious, and personal gripes.
Pacing
The pacing is slow, but a plus because it creates a creepier story. This element coupled with the eery and descriptive scenes was the perfect recipe for this horror book.
The Obvious
I had a feeling that I knew the truth behind everything, but still enjoyed the reveal of what happened to the children, Silas and Lily.
My Gripes
The only gripe that boldly stood out to me is that the story sometimes felt negligibly claustrophobic. The characters are in the midst of a severe snowstorm, so it’s implied that there is nowhere to go that’s remotely safe. It may be a good thing for some readers, but I don’t enjoy the feeling of being hemmed in. Especially when I know other places are nearby to use as settings. I wish the author would have utilized more space or at least more of the space that was introduced to us before the snowstorm. At one point, it felt like the characters kept separating and being led on random “Where is Waldo” adventures while searching for help. I wasn’t dizzy following along, but I was tired (lol).
What I Wanted More Of
I wanted more history about the manifestation of Father. What are his origins? And, too, also, I would have enjoyed reading more journal entries from Deborah and Grace.
All in All
Having been separated from the book for a few days to process, Our Love Will Devour Us is a character study that builds on themes of family, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Pacing and claustrophobia aside, I continued reading because I was curious about the children and how they were going to be found when the faults of their mothers were on display early on in the book. I almost lost faith in ol’ Emma and Claire. I’m happy I didn’t.
Give Our Love Will Devour Us a read if you are in the mood for horror with an isolated and snowed-in setting, with characters you urge to prove you wrong because even the seemingly incapable are capable when love is involved.
Thank you to BookSirens and R. L. Meza for the opportunity to read Our Love Will Devour. I received an advance review copy for free, and my review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving an ARC does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.
I hope this review of R. L. Meza’s Our Love Will Devour Us finds you all well.
Booktube Video: https://youtu.be/BVfvxSzm6oc?si=FUK5b...
Blog Post: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com...
Anchor.FM and other Podcast Flatforms: https://anchor.fm/rbtbc-20
YouTube Audioblog/Podcast: https://youtu.be/h5f7erKakRo?si=NfFb3...
REVIEW
If you haven’t done so already, please go to BookSirens and peruse through their catalog. I’ve come across some entertaining stories through their platform; Darknesses, How to Be a Better Adult, and now, Our Love Will Devour Us.
Our Love Will Devour Us follows a married couple whose testy relationship is further bowed under pressure once their two children go missing during a snowstorm. As time passes, decision-making becomes increasingly difficult, temperatures sharply decrease, and tempers and toxic memories kick up. Can Emma and Claire work past their differences to find their children and mend their family? You’ll have to read to find out :-).
Some aspects that may be a bother to some readers, I rather enjoyed, and vice versa; pacing, the obvious, and personal gripes.
Pacing
The pacing is slow, but a plus because it creates a creepier story. This element coupled with the eery and descriptive scenes was the perfect recipe for this horror book.
The Obvious
I had a feeling that I knew the truth behind everything, but still enjoyed the reveal of what happened to the children, Silas and Lily.
My Gripes
The only gripe that boldly stood out to me is that the story sometimes felt negligibly claustrophobic. The characters are in the midst of a severe snowstorm, so it’s implied that there is nowhere to go that’s remotely safe. It may be a good thing for some readers, but I don’t enjoy the feeling of being hemmed in. Especially when I know other places are nearby to use as settings. I wish the author would have utilized more space or at least more of the space that was introduced to us before the snowstorm. At one point, it felt like the characters kept separating and being led on random “Where is Waldo” adventures while searching for help. I wasn’t dizzy following along, but I was tired (lol).
What I Wanted More Of
I wanted more history about the manifestation of Father. What are his origins? And, too, also, I would have enjoyed reading more journal entries from Deborah and Grace.
All in All
Having been separated from the book for a few days to process, Our Love Will Devour Us is a character study that builds on themes of family, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Pacing and claustrophobia aside, I continued reading because I was curious about the children and how they were going to be found when the faults of their mothers were on display early on in the book. I almost lost faith in ol’ Emma and Claire. I’m happy I didn’t.
Give Our Love Will Devour Us a read if you are in the mood for horror with an isolated and snowed-in setting, with characters you urge to prove you wrong because even the seemingly incapable are capable when love is involved.
Thank you to BookSirens and R. L. Meza for the opportunity to read Our Love Will Devour. I received an advance review copy for free, and my review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving an ARC does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.
I hope this review of R. L. Meza’s Our Love Will Devour Us finds you all well.
October 3, 2023
I am 30% in and furious with these 2 women. They are so wrapped up in themselves & their issues that neither one of them look out for or take care of their kids. They both leave the care of Silas on the shoulders of Lily their eldest. They can't even be bothered to pick their son up at school after he was force fed a dog turd!! Lily has to go! And neither parent gives it much thought. I am NOT rooting for these 2, I am here for the kids!.
Also, it mentions they are going to marriage counseling, but Claire clearly, CLEARLY needs AA and trauma counseling.
They are in the middle of nowhere and have a huge fight in front of the kids and they run off into the snowy forest, what do these ideal mothers do??? THEY BOTH TAKE A NAP FOR SEVERAL HOURS 😴😴😴😴😴
"The wind pelted Lily with snowflakes, pushing her sideways and whipping her hair about her face. It was freezing out, but she hardly felt it. Inside, she was boiling, furious with her mothers for choosing the middle of nowhere to host their final showdown."
Poor Lily, she has to deal with their bullshit.🤬
"The expression of misery on his flushed, tear-streaked face was like a knife in Lily’s heart. But the raw pain in his voice hurt even more. She understood his anger; she was supposed to be his shield, and she’d failed him.'
OH Lily girl, you did not fail him. Your narcissistic mothers have failed you both!!
It's infuriating that Emma & Claire let Lily shoulder all of this. She is taking care of her entire family for fucks sake. She even has to be the defuser between her 2 mothers.
I will keep reading as I am invested in the kids, but Emma & Claire can go get lost in the forest and never come back.
"You should have gone after them. But she hadn’t. Tired of being the helicopter parent, of having her concerns labeled as overexaggerating and paranoia, Emma had ignored her instincts."
So now that her children are missing in a freezing winter storm for HOURS, this asshole decides now is the time she doesn't want to be the "helicopter' parent???? What. The. Fuck.
Is the cabin possessing these idiots to make absolutely ridiculous decisions or is the author not a parent and can't write parents very well 🤔
Omg. The ending is NOT worth pushing through this junk.
Not scary at all. Just hugely disappointed.
Also, it mentions they are going to marriage counseling, but Claire clearly, CLEARLY needs AA and trauma counseling.
They are in the middle of nowhere and have a huge fight in front of the kids and they run off into the snowy forest, what do these ideal mothers do??? THEY BOTH TAKE A NAP FOR SEVERAL HOURS 😴😴😴😴😴
"The wind pelted Lily with snowflakes, pushing her sideways and whipping her hair about her face. It was freezing out, but she hardly felt it. Inside, she was boiling, furious with her mothers for choosing the middle of nowhere to host their final showdown."
Poor Lily, she has to deal with their bullshit.🤬
"The expression of misery on his flushed, tear-streaked face was like a knife in Lily’s heart. But the raw pain in his voice hurt even more. She understood his anger; she was supposed to be his shield, and she’d failed him.'
OH Lily girl, you did not fail him. Your narcissistic mothers have failed you both!!
It's infuriating that Emma & Claire let Lily shoulder all of this. She is taking care of her entire family for fucks sake. She even has to be the defuser between her 2 mothers.
I will keep reading as I am invested in the kids, but Emma & Claire can go get lost in the forest and never come back.
"You should have gone after them. But she hadn’t. Tired of being the helicopter parent, of having her concerns labeled as overexaggerating and paranoia, Emma had ignored her instincts."
So now that her children are missing in a freezing winter storm for HOURS, this asshole decides now is the time she doesn't want to be the "helicopter' parent???? What. The. Fuck.
Is the cabin possessing these idiots to make absolutely ridiculous decisions or is the author not a parent and can't write parents very well 🤔
Omg. The ending is NOT worth pushing through this junk.
Not scary at all. Just hugely disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2023
👏I👏AM👏NOT👏OKAY👏
R.L Meza’s haunting debut will grab you by the balls, and not let go until you’ve read it cover to cover. Through a compellingly terrifying possession story, Meza explores the strength of a families love for one another… by putting them through the most WILD, genuinely scary winter break ever.
Claire’s marriage to Emma is failing. The constant arguments, Claire drinking, her resurfacing childhood trauma… the one thing holding the two together is there love for their children, Lily and Silas. After hearing her highly religious (and abusive) mother has gone missing, the responsibility falls on Claire to clean out and sell her mother’s secluded cabin. As Claire is off the grid, and Emma is concerned she will miss Christmas, she pulls her children out of school early, and they head to the cabin for what Emma believes will be a romantic getaway that will rekindle the spark of her marriage. She lives to regret this decision when she discovers Claire has not began work due to her drinking. In order to protect her younger brother from the ugly reality of their mother’s marriage, Lily takes Silas on a walk. They don’t return…
This is a VERY unique possession story, complete with an isolated cabin, a mysterious diary, a cute dog called Oscar and a cannibalistic headmaster. This is like a lovely, twisted blend of Come Closer by Sara Gran and The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn and not one to miss.
This was very well written. I found that it was able to effectively communicate Emma and Claire’s distress and hysteria, whilst still being readable- hence why I was able to absolutely fly through this. The characters were likeable on the whole, with Evelyn being a personal favourite of mine. I found the bond between Lily and Silas adorable… making the ending all the more devastating. The growth in Claire’s and Emma’s relationship was both believable and beautiful.
If you want to sob your eyes out at 3AM, then I couldn’t recommend this one enough.
R.L Meza’s haunting debut will grab you by the balls, and not let go until you’ve read it cover to cover. Through a compellingly terrifying possession story, Meza explores the strength of a families love for one another… by putting them through the most WILD, genuinely scary winter break ever.
Claire’s marriage to Emma is failing. The constant arguments, Claire drinking, her resurfacing childhood trauma… the one thing holding the two together is there love for their children, Lily and Silas. After hearing her highly religious (and abusive) mother has gone missing, the responsibility falls on Claire to clean out and sell her mother’s secluded cabin. As Claire is off the grid, and Emma is concerned she will miss Christmas, she pulls her children out of school early, and they head to the cabin for what Emma believes will be a romantic getaway that will rekindle the spark of her marriage. She lives to regret this decision when she discovers Claire has not began work due to her drinking. In order to protect her younger brother from the ugly reality of their mother’s marriage, Lily takes Silas on a walk. They don’t return…
This is a VERY unique possession story, complete with an isolated cabin, a mysterious diary, a cute dog called Oscar and a cannibalistic headmaster. This is like a lovely, twisted blend of Come Closer by Sara Gran and The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn and not one to miss.
This was very well written. I found that it was able to effectively communicate Emma and Claire’s distress and hysteria, whilst still being readable- hence why I was able to absolutely fly through this. The characters were likeable on the whole, with Evelyn being a personal favourite of mine. I found the bond between Lily and Silas adorable… making the ending all the more devastating. The growth in Claire’s and Emma’s relationship was both believable and beautiful.
If you want to sob your eyes out at 3AM, then I couldn’t recommend this one enough.
July 12, 2023
I went in, as I do with a lot of books written by my favorite publishers and authors, completely blind. I had only read a short story by R.L. Meza before, but I loved that, so I was expecting good things. Boy, even that was an underestimation of how wonderful this book was. It follows two women in a fractured relationship as they try to find their missing children. This story goes into some profoundly disturbing depths about what we would do to protect and save those that we love, as well as some well-crafted exploration into a broken relationship and its healing process.
The mushy and well-crafted compliments aside: the gore and horror in this were AWESOME!! I felt like I was watching an Evil Dead movie (one in the newer series.)
This book made me shudder with repulsion and tearing up at sadder moments. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, heartfelt scare.
The mushy and well-crafted compliments aside: the gore and horror in this were AWESOME!! I felt like I was watching an Evil Dead movie (one in the newer series.)
This book made me shudder with repulsion and tearing up at sadder moments. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, heartfelt scare.
May 6, 2024
Our Love Will Devour Us explores the themes of familial love and forgiveness in an exciting horror story that draws the reader in quickly. The writing is so engaging and descriptive that you can't help but be moved by the plight of the characters as the story unfolds.
This was creepy, shocking, and scary all at the same time!
I truly loved how this book takes the reader through a whole range of emotions before depositing us into the darkest depths of horror. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, the story takes a nosedive into the most unimaginable territory. The writing was so clear and captivating, it was hard to put down this book!
This is the kind of book I'd recommend as a gift for horror fans, long road trips, and for folks up in the country facing a long winter ahead.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was creepy, shocking, and scary all at the same time!
I truly loved how this book takes the reader through a whole range of emotions before depositing us into the darkest depths of horror. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, the story takes a nosedive into the most unimaginable territory. The writing was so clear and captivating, it was hard to put down this book!
This is the kind of book I'd recommend as a gift for horror fans, long road trips, and for folks up in the country facing a long winter ahead.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 22, 2023
When Claire returns to her childhood home at a ramshackle cabin in the desolate woods the horrors of the past come back to haunt her. When her wife and two kids turn up to surprise her, their tense relationship gets put to the test when an evil from within the forest attaches itself to the family and they must decide how far they will go for the love of their family. The cryptid-like creature and the desolate location this story takes place in made for a very creepy story. I wasn’t a huge fan of the frustrating relationship between Claire and Emma, but the rest of the story gave me the chills and I definitely recommend this for anyone that loves a good creature feature! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2023
For a debut novel, this was one hell of a read. Reading about what white people did to indigenous people was horrifying, especially White Hook. As I read this book, the author proves she researched historical happenings very well. The descriptions of the atrocities were chilling. I buried myself deeper into my blankets the more I read about the horrors experienced by Claire and Emma. The boarding school should have been investigated and then destroyed. Maybe then evil would not been biding it’s time and waiting for an unsuspecting soul(s) to appear and start its reign of terror all over. Claire and Emma were very brave and filled with love to have the wherewithal of perseverance to find answers to the past. Excellent, excellent read. I look forward to more books from this author.
August 28, 2023
A brutal and thought provoking story. This is an example of modern horror as it should be. The author was able to incorporate some very current issues (homophobia, religious zealotry, and First Nations experience) into her narrative while maintaining a level of readability that gives this the potential of being a best seller. Excellent character development and a tone of desperation move this survival horror thriller along at a fantastic pace.
Thank you to Book Sirens for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this title free of charge. I'm leaving an honest review voluntarily.
Thank you to Book Sirens for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this title free of charge. I'm leaving an honest review voluntarily.
August 20, 2023
This was a fun read. For me, it took a while for the horror to start, but then it got really interesting.
You know, covering some forgotten topics like possession and haunted cabins and flesh eating things......
RL has a descriptive writing style and I look forward to more of her work.
Best read in a wooden cabin by the lake. Bring some booze, have a shotgun by your side and lock the door to the basement 😉
Thanks to Booksirens for an ARC in exchange for my review 👌
You know, covering some forgotten topics like possession and haunted cabins and flesh eating things......
RL has a descriptive writing style and I look forward to more of her work.
Best read in a wooden cabin by the lake. Bring some booze, have a shotgun by your side and lock the door to the basement 😉
Thanks to Booksirens for an ARC in exchange for my review 👌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2023
This book… just wow. Completely defied my expectations. Perfectly paced, unique voices from each character, and a story that did exactly what it set out to do. How the characters reacted and did everything was right on par with what would actually happen in this situation. Just great. Gave me the creeps, I love it when books do that. 1,000,000/10 will recommend. I will definitely be buying a physical copy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 6, 2024
So I don’t know what it is about this book. I normally don’t love paranormal/fantasy horror and if you had summarized the story for me, I would have thought it sounded silly. But I guess it goes to show that the author’s writing really makes or breaks a book, no matter the plot. I went into this blind and I thought it was fantastic! Vivid imagery, heartfelt moments, and truly scary scenes.
I don’t know why it doesn’t have more reviews but I’ll be sure to spread the word!
I don’t know why it doesn’t have more reviews but I’ll be sure to spread the word!
May 23, 2023
This was a terrifying, twisted roller coaster of a book. It's a gripping debut novel that affirms a rising star in horror. I kept trying to guess the ending, but it surprised me all the same. There were a number of passages I had to slow down and read twice because they were so beautifully written, but the pace of the novel kept me turning pages faster and faster.
September 18, 2023
Claire has returned home after her mother has been missing and declared dead. She is trying to put the past behind her and straighten her life out. Her wife follows with their children. This cabin holds a dark secret in the woods around it. It wants someone. What is in the woods? Will they survive? Tension filled read.
February 23, 2024
😳 this book is definitely horror - lots of different horror aspects as well (don’t want to list them all and give away too much). I was also not sure what to expect with this book when I started it as I only read the synopsis and no reviews but wow… I was not expecting that. Was creeped out many times and also disgusted many times as well. Fair warning to those wanting to read… it’s gory.
December 31, 2023
Obvious 5 star book. Creepy effective paranormal thriller which I def would recommend and I loved the mom chars. 5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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February 19, 2024For people interested in reading, I just want to give a trigger warning that residential schools and the killing of indigenous children is a large part of this book. It’s not mentioned on the back of the book, or in the acknowledgements at the end in anyway.
July 3, 2023
For real, don’t read this before bed! This book is terrifying.
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