Just Like Home

“This house, the house her father built, the house where her mother would die – this place was safe. This place knew her. This place was where she belonged.”

Vera left her childhood home after her father is arrested for multiple murders. To her dismay, she has to return to take care of her estranged, dying mother and clear out the house once she’s gone. There is also a random artist living in the guesthouse always asking questions and trying to spend time with her. He is stripping away parts of the house for attention and “art” to the public. There are many hidden secrets deep under the house and Vera needs to figure out how far and rotten it goes.

“That house would never let you leave.”

The story is told from two timelines – alternating between Vera’s childhood and the present which worked really well in piecing it all together. Vera’s father was her only friend growing up and always came to the rescue with her mother until he’s arrested for murders and deemed as an infamous serial killer. 

“I save the other men. I keep them from turning into monsters. When they start to go bad, I help them.” 

Aside from the horror and mystery, this book delves into complicated family relationships. Loneliness and betrayal are a prominent subject as well. You can feel Vera’s loneliness constantly threatening to swallow her whole into the void. I thought this was a unique take on a haunted house story rather than only just utilizing the usual tricks and scares.

“She was too alone to be afraid”

Just Like Home is definitely a slow burn with a modern gothic feel. I also love the pink cover that contrasts with the content. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.