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lousallbookedup's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was not a fan of the romance in this book. The ending however, I enjoyed immensely!
libraryforspooky's review against another edition
3.0
This book fulfills Wyoming in a self reading challenge of a book taking place in every US State or territory (7/56).
Jeneva Rose’s "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" is a psychological thriller that promises intrigue and suspense set against the remote backdrop of Wyoming. The novel delivers on its premise with a compelling dual-point-of-view narrative, but it struggles with pacing and character depth, earning it a three-star rating.
The story follows Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker seeking respite from her busy life. She books an Airbnb on a secluded ranch, owned by the handsome but enigmatic Calvin Wells. Initially, Grace is captivated by the rugged charm of the ranch and Calvin’s hospitality. However, her idyllic retreat soon turns unsettling as she discovers a lack of cell phone service, hears about a missing woman, and senses an underlying strangeness in the town and its inhabitants.
As Grace and Calvin grow closer, their relationship takes a darker turn. Calvin’s infatuation starts to feel more like obsession, and Grace begins to suspect that Calvin is hiding something. The dual perspectives of Grace and Calvin offer insights into their thoughts and feelings, but Rose expertly maintains a level of ambiguity that keeps readers guessing about their true intentions.
One of the strengths of "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" is its ability to create an atmosphere of unease. The isolated setting and the strange behavior of the town's residents add a layer of suspense that builds throughout the novel. The slow-burning tension eventually leads to a series of twists and revelations that are both satisfying and disturbing.
However, the novel’s pacing is a significant drawback. The first half of the book feels more like a slow-burn romance than a thriller, with repetitive scenes and interactions that don’t always advance the plot. While this slow build-up might be intended to deepen character development, it can make the story feel tedious at times. The excitement and suspense are heavily weighted towards the end of the book, which might frustrate readers who prefer a more evenly paced narrative.
The dual first-person perspectives of Grace and Calvin add depth to the narrative, but they also leave some aspects of the characters’ true natures obscured. This deliberate ambiguity can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it maintains the mystery and keeps readers engaged; on the other hand, it might leave readers feeling disconnected from the characters. Calvin’s repetitive thoughts about how “different” Grace is and his growing need for her presence hint at his darker side, but these insights often feel surface-level and could benefit from more nuanced exploration.
Despite these shortcomings, the novel does a commendable job of scattering clues and building an atmosphere of dread. The tension between the characters and the eerie setting create a palpable sense of foreboding that culminates in a dramatic and unexpected conclusion.
In summary, "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" by Jeneva Rose is a psychological thriller with a compelling premise and a strong sense of atmosphere. While its slow pacing and sometimes shallow character development hinder its overall impact, the book’s ability to maintain suspense and deliver a satisfying conclusion makes it a worthwhile read. A three-star rating reflects its mix of strengths and weaknesses, offering an engaging but uneven experience for fans of the genre.
Jeneva Rose’s "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" is a psychological thriller that promises intrigue and suspense set against the remote backdrop of Wyoming. The novel delivers on its premise with a compelling dual-point-of-view narrative, but it struggles with pacing and character depth, earning it a three-star rating.
The story follows Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker seeking respite from her busy life. She books an Airbnb on a secluded ranch, owned by the handsome but enigmatic Calvin Wells. Initially, Grace is captivated by the rugged charm of the ranch and Calvin’s hospitality. However, her idyllic retreat soon turns unsettling as she discovers a lack of cell phone service, hears about a missing woman, and senses an underlying strangeness in the town and its inhabitants.
As Grace and Calvin grow closer, their relationship takes a darker turn. Calvin’s infatuation starts to feel more like obsession, and Grace begins to suspect that Calvin is hiding something. The dual perspectives of Grace and Calvin offer insights into their thoughts and feelings, but Rose expertly maintains a level of ambiguity that keeps readers guessing about their true intentions.
One of the strengths of "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" is its ability to create an atmosphere of unease. The isolated setting and the strange behavior of the town's residents add a layer of suspense that builds throughout the novel. The slow-burning tension eventually leads to a series of twists and revelations that are both satisfying and disturbing.
However, the novel’s pacing is a significant drawback. The first half of the book feels more like a slow-burn romance than a thriller, with repetitive scenes and interactions that don’t always advance the plot. While this slow build-up might be intended to deepen character development, it can make the story feel tedious at times. The excitement and suspense are heavily weighted towards the end of the book, which might frustrate readers who prefer a more evenly paced narrative.
The dual first-person perspectives of Grace and Calvin add depth to the narrative, but they also leave some aspects of the characters’ true natures obscured. This deliberate ambiguity can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it maintains the mystery and keeps readers engaged; on the other hand, it might leave readers feeling disconnected from the characters. Calvin’s repetitive thoughts about how “different” Grace is and his growing need for her presence hint at his darker side, but these insights often feel surface-level and could benefit from more nuanced exploration.
Despite these shortcomings, the novel does a commendable job of scattering clues and building an atmosphere of dread. The tension between the characters and the eerie setting create a palpable sense of foreboding that culminates in a dramatic and unexpected conclusion.
In summary, "You Shouldn't Have Come Here" by Jeneva Rose is a psychological thriller with a compelling premise and a strong sense of atmosphere. While its slow pacing and sometimes shallow character development hinder its overall impact, the book’s ability to maintain suspense and deliver a satisfying conclusion makes it a worthwhile read. A three-star rating reflects its mix of strengths and weaknesses, offering an engaging but uneven experience for fans of the genre.
maiasreads_16's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
arieoz92's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cozy thriller for me, if that sort of thing exists. I was entertained and finished it in one sitting. I liked the little twist at the end it was predictable but unfolded nicely for me.
deedai's review against another edition
2.0
I cringed.
I rolled my eyes.
I shook my head.
I LISTENED to the Audiobook and you guys … it was hysterical. The male narrator gave sleazy vibes. It was so hard to take the book seriously.
2 stars because I was somewhat entertained to the point that I wanted to know the end. Which was underwhelming.
I rolled my eyes.
I shook my head.
I LISTENED to the Audiobook and you guys … it was hysterical. The male narrator gave sleazy vibes. It was so hard to take the book seriously.
2 stars because I was somewhat entertained to the point that I wanted to know the end. Which was underwhelming.
blondie305's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
krispe22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I enjoyed this book but felt the writing was uneven. The characters didn’t seem that smart, but then they’d same something meaningful or deep…and it was jarring. There was a romance that made no sense…besides the two characters being good looking they had no other redeemable qualities and I couldn’t understand why they were interested in each other at all. Glad I did not pay for this for book and got it at the library.
krissyd88's review against another edition
1.0
I just didn’t like this book. It was too predictable. For a thriller it was anything but thrilling.