Jeneva Rose, the author who gave us The Perfect Marriage and One of Us Is Dead, returns with another unputdownable thriller that toys with desire, deception, and the danger of isolation. You Shouldn’t Have Come Here is part romantic suspense, part psychological horror, and entirely addictive. It’s the kind of book that lures you in with charm, only to leave you glancing over your shoulder by the end.
Grace Evans, a burned-out New Yorker desperate for a break, does what many dream of: she picks a random spot on the map and books an Airbnb on a secluded Wyoming ranch. She’s craving quiet, open skies, and disconnection from the chaos of city life. What she doesn’t expect is Calvin Wells the ruggedly handsome ranch owner with a haunted past, a soft voice, and a body straight out of a romance novel.
At first, everything feels like the start of a slow-burn love story. But soon, little cracks begin to form. Grace realizes there’s no cell service. The nearby town is unfriendly, filled with strange people and strange warnings. And there are whispers about a woman who rented the same property before her who vanished without a trace.
Told from alternating perspectives between Grace and Calvin, the story unfolds like a chess match of suspicion. Each character is unreliable, and that’s where Rose excels. You’re never sure who’s telling the truth, or if either of them is sane. Grace begins to suspect that Calvin’s affection is slipping into obsession, while Calvin wonders what secrets Grace has brought with her to his ranch. Their chemistry keeps you hooked, but the tension makes it impossible to relax.
The supporting cast adds an eerie richness to the setting: Charlotte, the jealous family friend who always seems to be lurking; Betty, the overprotective “bee lady” who meddles with motherly concern; and Joe, Calvin’s flirtatious brother whose intentions are anything but clear. Each encounter adds to the feeling that this small town is hiding something.
The novel thrives on atmosphere. Rose paints Wyoming not as a picturesque escape, but as a claustrophobic trap where every shadow hides a threat. The ranch itself is a character filled with creaking floors, taxidermied animals, and the unnerving sense that someone, or something, is watching.
What makes You Shouldn’t Have Come Here so compulsively readable is Rose’s signature mix of dark humor and tension. The plot barrels toward a series of jaw-dropping twists that range from shocking to absurd in the best possible way. Whether you find them brilliant or over-the-top, one thing’s for sure: you won’t stop turning the pages.
Grace is an interesting lead resourceful, flawed, and driven by equal parts curiosity and recklessness. Calvin, meanwhile, is the perfect romantic antihero: kind one moment, unhinged the next. Their relationship becomes a slow descent into obsession and paranoia, and the reader is left to untangle who the real danger is.
While the book has divided readers some finding its tone overblown, others calling it genius it’s undeniably entertaining. It feels like a mix of a Lifetime thriller and a gothic horror novel, with a final twist that’s both audacious and unforgettable. You might roll your eyes, you might laugh, but you’ll definitely be talking about it when it’s over.
In the end, You Shouldn’t Have Come Here is not a subtle story, and that’s exactly the point. It’s messy, sexy, creepy, and wildly fun a ride that refuses to take itself too seriously while still delivering enough chills to make you question your next Airbnb booking.
Verdict: A chaotic, darkly entertaining thriller that blends romance, paranoia, and a touch of absurdity. Perfect for readers who love unpredictable twists and stories that leave them both laughing and gasping.
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