Dark Whispers & Notebook Secrets
There is a very specific, elite kind of cozy magic that happens when you can curl deep into your blankets, hide away from the world with a spooky book, and willingly sacrifice your sleep just to find out what happens next.
Finding a fresh-to-me author who commands a captivating voice right from page one is always a thrill. The atmospheric energy and chilling charm of Please Enjoy Your Stay had me hooked so early on that I was already ready to recommend it to friends when I was only 49% completed. The second half didn’t disappoint, making this a rock-solid four stars! (The only reason it missed the five-star mark is that a few members of the supporting cast tested my patience a little bit—though thankfully, they never fully pulled me out of the experience.)
The Vibe & The Pacing
The prologue kicked things off in such an intriguing way, and I genuinely adored the writing style. There was this wonderfully moody, intoxicating atmosphere draped over the entire story, and honestly, that moodiness was one of the biggest magnets keeping me glued to the pages. Even when real life forced me to put down my e-reader, my mind kept wandering right back to it—always the ultimate sign of a winning read!
It’s definitely a slow burn in some ways, and not a ton happens for a good chunk of the middle, at least until things ramp up toward the end. But somehow, it remained wildly addictive and flew by as a surprisingly quick eBook read. I was having an absolute blast every step of the way.
Mixed Media & Unforgettable Characters
I am a complete sucker for mixed media, and this book delivered. The chapters sprinkled throughout, pulled directly from Iris’s notebooks, added such a fascinating, tactile layer to the story. And the true crime podcast aspect? Absolutely catnip for me. Give me true crime elements in a book and I am immediately sold.
What truly cemented the story for me, though, was the ending. The last two chapters and the long-awaited closure between the two female leads were so deeply needed and executed to perfection. It gave the emotional core of the book the exact payoff it deserved.
If you love mixed media and are a fan of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, this one belongs at the very top of your TBR.
Final Verdict
I am thoroughly impressed by how masterfully everything weaves together here, especially for a debut novel where all the haunting, eerie pieces are placed to absolute perfection. Tara Goedjen, you are officially on my radar—if your next book brings this kind of charm, I am more than ready to continue the journey as a fan.
