You know when a book promises thrills and chills but leaves you wondering why you bothered in the first place? That was my experience with We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer.
The premise sounded intriguing—a haunted house trope with a psychological twist, a young couple named Eve and her partner diving into the eerie unknown. It had all the makings of a gripping read… or so I thought.
Don’t get me wrong—Kliewer’s style has its moments, and I can see why some readers might enjoy it. But for me, the whole thing didn’t quite live up to the hype… or make any sense at all. By the final pages, I was left feeling like I’d wasted my time.
In all my online book-loving groups the consensus was people either loved it or hated it.
We Used to Live Here Book Summary
Eve and her partner Charlie step into an eerie home, believing it to be their only chance to start fresh. At first, everything seems fine—until a family stops by and says, “We used to live here.”
After they come in for a quick tour, their young daughter goes missing. Then, the homeowner Charlie can’t be found. Eve is stuck at this creepy house with an odd family that keeps making excuses about why their stay is lasting longer than planned.
Soon, the cracks begin to show. Eve’s people-pleasing tendencies lead her to overlook red flags that would have anyone else sprinting for the door. Instead, she starts questioning herself and her own sanity. The house isn’t just creepy. Its strange occurrences seem to know exactly how to exploit her fears and insecurities.
By the middle of the book, the plot picks up steam. Kliewer crafts scenes that are unsettling but never fully terrifying. Just weird with unexplainable things happening.
Eve’s struggles to piece together what’s real and what’s in her head keep the whole thing moving forward, but the repetition of her inner turmoil becomes tiresome… and I didn’t know what was real or just in her head (and I never found out).
By the final pages, everything comes to a head in a twist that feels both expected and underwhelming. Maybe because I didn’t really understand it.
The conclusion does not tie everything together and leaves too many unanswered questions and a lingering sense of “that’s it?” that might frustrate other readers looking for a more satisfying resolution.
We Used to Live Here Book Club Discussion Questions
I would’ve loved to discuss this book with people to get some of my questions answered.
Apparently, there are a bunch of Reddit threads that can take you down a rabbit hole of what all the weirdness means. Lots of theories!
But if you want some book discussion questions to start you off, try these.
- How do the family dynamics shape the events of the story?
- What role does the house play as a character in the book?
- Discuss the theme of memory and how it influences the characters’ actions.
- How did the book’s twists affect your perception of the story?
- What emotions did the ending evoke for you?
Books Similar to We Used to Live Here
If you enjoyed We Used to Live Here (or even if you didn’t but love the haunted house trope), here are a few other reads that might spark your interest:
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
A classic in the haunted house genre, this book dives into psychological horror with its eerie mansion and unreliable characters. Jackson’s sharp writing keeps you questioning what’s real and what’s imagined—a vibe Marcus Kliewer also aims for in We Used to Live Here. - Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
This modern thriller combines a haunted house with family secrets. It follows a woman returning to her childhood home to uncover the truth about her father’s ghost-filled memoir. Like people pleasing Eve, the protagonist must figure out what’s real before it’s too late. - Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in a decaying mansion, this story brings a gothic flair with plenty of creepy vibes. The protagonist’s journey into unraveling the house’s dark history echoes some of the unease found in Kliewer’s novel but with a richer plot and more satisfying twists. - The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
If you’re into family drama with a sinister edge, this psychological thriller will hit the mark. While not strictly about a haunted house, it explores how a family home can hold dark secrets that unravel lives—a familiar thread for fans of We Used to Live Here. - The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Though it’s more psychological thriller than a haunted house, this book features unreliable narration and a protagonist grappling with deep-rooted trauma. Its twists and turns might appeal to readers who enjoy the suspenseful buildup of Kliewer’s story. - Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
If the haunted house trope is your thing, this one offers a contemporary spin by replacing the house with a sinister apartment building. It’s suspenseful, dark, and filled with a creeping sense of dread that fans of We Used to Live Here might enjoy. - The Shining by Stephen King
For those who prefer their haunted house stories with a dose of King’s signature psychological horror, this book is a must-read. It combines supernatural elements with intense character unraveling, giving you chills at every turn.
Whether you’re looking for another eerie setting, unreliable characters, or psychological twists, these books have a variety of takes on the suspenseful storytelling you’ll find in We Used to Live Here.
Happy reading!
