This book was a hell of a ride—I’ll tell you that much! 😳 I picked it up as soon as my girlfriend finished it because she needed someone to talk about it. I ended up reading it in just two sittings because I simply couldn’t put it down. The story pulls you in from page one and only gets crazier from there.

„Young couple Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they got on an old house deep in the mountains. One day, a man knocks on the door. He says he lived there years before and asks if he can show his family around. As soon as they enter, strange things start to happen, and Eve is desperate for them to leave and never come back. But they can’t – or won’t – take the hint that they are no longer welcome. Then, Charlie vanishes, and Eve begins to lose her grip on reality. She’s convinced there’s something terribly wrong with the house and its past inhabitants… or is it all in her head?“

Blurb

The writing is smooth and easy to follow, making it effortless to slip into the story’s rhythm. I also listened to the audiobook while reading, which made the experience even more immersive. There were so many moments where I found myself thinking, “Nooo, don’t do that!” And while I truly cared for Eve and Charlie, the other characters were deeply unlikable, frustrating, and at times, downright unbearable—but I have to assume that was intentional.

I enjoyed the story and was satisfied with the ending, even though not all questions were answered. What really stood out, though, was the sheer amount of hidden details—symbols, riddles, and subtle clues scattered throughout. Some were woven into the story itself, while others were embedded in the way the book was written, even in the structure of the text. Absolutely brilliant!

That being said, this isn’t just a book you read and move on from—it’s one you work with. It invites you to take notes, go back and reread passages, and maybe even do some online sleuthing afterward. Initially, I would have rated it around 3 or 3.5 stars if I had just read it at face value. But after uncovering the deeper layers and the hidden intricacies, it easily became a solid 4—maybe even edging toward 4.5. The number of theories and discussions online is endless… trust me, I fell down that rabbit hole. 😉

All in all, We Used to Live Here is a great experience—if you’re willing to put in the effort. If you’re just looking for a straightforward thriller, it might feel more average, or even slightly underwhelming. But if you love a book that keeps working on your mind long after you’ve finished, this one is definitely worth your time. Enjoy the ride! 😁

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️