I kind of fell in love with the writing style when I read the first page, and I went into it full of hopes and dreams, and I think they pretty much got fulfilled because I had a jolly good time reading it and could hardly put it down.

“The mourning dove’s bittersweet call was cut short, strangled into a silence that was even more unnerving than the birdsong itself. It was the first sign that all was not well at Lovelace House, and like most early signs of sickness, it was subtle. Easy to miss.”

The atmosphere of the book was really good! As I was reading, I felt kind of nostalgic for something that I never even had; it was just the vibes, I guess, but at the same time, the whole house was bizarre and creepy. It truly has gothic vibes, and I am here for it. The mansion was quite big, but since we are introduced to new grounds gradually, it's not overwhelming to keep track of what's where. Also, the writing style is really good at describing things without being too wordy, so you really feel like you are inside this creepy old mansion alongside the characters or that you are standing on the shore, which I kind of imagined as the shore from Twilight (movie). Actually, now that I think about it, do you know that blueish filter they used in the Twilight movies? Now that's the vibe of the scenery, and I kind of imagined the place in those hues.

But enough of the worldbuilding; let's talk about the people a little. I simply adored the characters. Marin was a great main character who was easy to care about and understand. She is full of anxiety, and we can see how she gradually comes over it. I love her chemistry with Evie; I think they make a really good pair, and their interactions were always really sweet and caring. Evie was an interesting character too; she has this thing where she hides her insecurities and worries behind a perfect appearance to gain some control, which was relatable in a way, and just like with Marin, we were able to see how she slowly accepts that not everything is her responsibility and comes over this "I need to be perfect so I don't fall apart" mindset. The little girls, Thea and Wren, were both loveable, even if they were a little weird and creepy. Yes, Wren is constantly trying to make Marin go away, and Thea buries her dolls in a creepy cemetery, but you can see why they do this and essentially just want to give them a big hug because they are clearly going through some stuff and would deserve it. Alice, the girls' mother, was really unsettling and strange, and whenever she was present in the story, you could feel the tension and possible danger. She is a writer who writes horror books, which Marin was a fan of growing up, so it was also interesting to see how she looked up to her, but as the story went on, this admiration started to crack and essentially turned into fear. Then there is Neera, the caretaker of the house, and previously, the girls. She is more of a mother figure than Alice; she is kind and always there, kind of like an anchor. I liked her character because when she was there, it felt safe and homey (if that makes sense). I could just tell that she would give the best hugs and make the best hot cocoa. Lastly, there was one more character called Mr. Willoughby, but I'm not sure what to say about him since he was just kind of there.

The story itself was intriguing and held some stuff that I didn't expect in the slightest. Those unexpected things just kept piling up, since when you expected that there were no more secrets, 10 more of those skeletons jumped out of the closet. I would say that the pace of the book was a little too slow, but I actually didn't mind it at all because the vibes were so amazing that even the little everyday things were good to read about, and I devoured every page with great enjoyment. On the first page, the driver mentioned that the locals are afraid of the Lovelace house and think that it's haunted or even cursed, so even from early on, you kind of knew that something was very wrong with the house, and what gradually started out as just some stuff townspeople talk about quickly turned into reality as Marin started to experience stranger and creepier things with every passing day. Dead birds started to show up in her room; strange noises came from the forest; the girls (especially Wren) were a menace to society; and their constant pranks started to escalate pretty quickly. None of it was normal, but since Marin has nowhere to go, she just takes it like a champ, even if her anxiety is suffocating her.

I highly recommend that you read this book because it was an absolute delight to read, and I wish I could go back into this world for a little longer. If you like gothic stories, mysterious mansions, or books with creepy children, then you should definitely check it out, but since a big part of the book was focused on the romance between Evie and Marin, then this story is also for those who like stories with stolen kisses here and there. Either way, the book was a 10/10, and I hope you give it a chance.

All the Dead Lie Down - Likewise Book Reviews

3 Reviews