“Come home.” Vera’s mother called and Vera obeyed. In spite of their long estrangement, in spite of the memories — she’s come back to the home of a serial killer. Back to face the love she had for her father and the bodies he buried there.
Coming home is hard enough for Vera, and to make things worse, she and her mother aren’t alone. A parasitic artist has moved into the guest house out back, and is slowly stripping Vera’s childhood for spare parts. He insists that he isn’t the one leaving notes around the house in her father’s handwriting… but who else could it possibly be?
There are secrets yet undiscovered in the foundations of the notorious Crowder House. Vera must face them, and find out for herself just how deep the rot goes.
The house dripping blood on the cover first grabbed my attention, but the creepy description made me request this book. A serial killer and a possible ghost?
Vera’s mother is dying and asks her to come home. They’re estranged and for good reason – Daphne is a horrible person and doesn’t deserve to be a mother. Through two timelines, one in the present and one in the past, the reader discovers just how terrible she was to Vera when she was a child. Her father was a serial killer and without going into too much detail, let’s just say it’s had an adverse effect on Vera’s life in more ways than one. Talk about being cursed with bad parents.
From the description I assumed this would be a dark read. And it is. Some parts are brutal and disturbing, but the story is about a serial killer so that’s to be expected. What surprised me was the slow pace – almost a snail’s pace at times. I listened to the audiobook ARC, but if I’d had an ebook ARC instead I probably would have skimmed several pages.
The notes Vera finds in her father’s handwriting and whatever it is that keeps moving her bed are delightfully macabre, but the story takes a turn I never suspected. And it’s a good one. Just Like Home is a twisted tale of toxic family dynamics with a few surprises along the way. Just be prepared for the darkness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
Other than the snail’s pace at times, this sounds like a read I’d love. Great review, Teri. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 💕🙂
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It hit pretty high on the creep factor at times, Harmony, and you know I loved that.
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💖
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This book sounds interesting but the slow pace would have me skimming, for sure, to speed it up. Love the premise though. Excellent review!
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The slow pace annoyed me, but then the last 30-40 percent took off, Tessa. That part I liked.
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I’m okay with a slow pace as long as I find the characters intriguing. This sounds right up my alley. Good review, Teri!
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The characters surprised me, Priscilla. At first I didn’t care for them (partly because of narrator), but then BIG things were revealed that made them much more intriguing.
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The house dripping blood definitely got my attention. This sounds like a good read, despite the slow pace. A horrible mother and serial killer father do not make for a happy childhood. 🙂 Now I want to know who is leaving the notes and what secrets the house holds. Thanks for sharing, Teri!
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Yep – Vera was certainly dealt a bad hand with her parents. It came with surprises I sure didn’t expect, Jan.
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I think that with a dark theme like that, the slow pace at times are necessary to give more depth to the story and to allow the reader to take a breath. But then, I haven’t read it, so maybe I’d skim it too.
It does sound like a gripping story though.
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There was a good bit of breathing time built in, Jina, lol. But that does give time for tension to build. I really enjoyed the darker themes in the novel. Thanks for stopping by!
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Even with the story at a slow pace your review caught me attention.
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Even with the story at a slow pace your review caught my attention.
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That cover sure catches your eye, doesn’t it? I sure enjoyed the twists in this book, Denise – didn’t see them coming.
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That does not sound like the sort of book that should have a slow pace- how bizarre. But other than that, I am intrigued
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That’s what surprised me, Cassie. I could have moved along a little quicker with an ebook, but the audiobook made it difficult. Still, it’s an eerie story that may have you looking under your bed at night.
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I love this quote from your review “a twisted tale of toxic family dynamics”. Yikes! 🙂
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And it’s kinda hard to say that three times fast, right? Yeah, this wasn’t your normal All American family, Wendy – just about as far from it as you can get.
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Sounds creepy! On my TBR pile now! Thanks!
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Creepy is certainly an apt description, Traci, lol. Hope you enjoy it!
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That cover and toxic family definitely makes it sound a perfect thriller but I hate slow pace in this genre.
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The pacing could have been a little more even, but there sure were some twists, Yesha.
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