What even was that!

I don't even know! It's stup!d honestly. I think i was only able to make past the first story because i was too curious to stop reading, wanted to see where it was going, and honestly it was horrifying and not in a good way, it's terrible. Like the kind you would read on platforms for amateur writers who are only taking the p!ss out of themselves. O my god! 😅

One can try and add a deeper meaning to these but honestly you'll be reaching! I'm not the one to rate books so low, and be so blatantly rude abt how i felt abt them. You have to know it must have been something ugh to bring out this reaction from me 😅 But yeah full points for the cover! 😍

I'm so sorry! I missed downloading this title before it was archived. Such a pity, I've heard great things about it and this author. Sorry for the missed opportunity.

Not as good as I was hoping. Boring in parts. I had heard a lot of type around this so I was expecting more and was disappointed.

One novella (Things have Gotten Worse Since we Last Spoke) -(what an amazing title)- and two short stories this little gem of a book. The title story is presented as an electronic communication between two women that starts off perfectly normal and then eventually veers to the macabre. The final line is a shocker and I must admit it took me a minute or two to realize the full implications. The author explains in his afterword that all three stories deal with the human need for connection, both stories work for me but it is most certainly the novella that is the star of the show.

The tone of this writing is magnificent. It really made me feel uneasy and creeped. The ability of this author is unmatched--I am still thinking about these stories weeks later. I highly recommend this collection, and I'm really looking forward to diving more into this author's other works. Give this one a shot!

The titular story is still haunting me over a month after reading this. I’m not a big horror reader, but the creeping dread and uncertainty I had during the reading experience made it a definite 5 star. I still shudder when I think about certain lines.

The other two stories weren’t, personally, for me - but I appreciate the craft and symbolism in the writing if I wanted to read them more in-depth. For casual reading, the titular story definitely gripped me a lot more, which is why I settled on a 3.5-4 star review.

Well, that was a page-turner! Even when I really wanted to put this one down, I could not. It was dark, disgusting, and often, ridiculous. I loved the theme of the human need for connection and I felt that each story got progressively better.

The titular piece made me want to throw up a few times and also sent me cackling with the absurdity in a few parts. Definitely gave some vile imagery that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. I'm a bit new to the horror genre so, for me, this was pretty extreme and it seemed simultaneously ridiculous and believable. I enjoyed this one but I felt so <I>icky</I> I almost wanted to stop after finishing this one but I'm so glad I kept going.

<I>The Enchantment</I> was disturbing but decidedly less visceral in it's descriptions. I enjoyed the concept of this one but there were some plot holes that bothered me. It was unsettling, atmospheric, and I loved the existential dread enhanced with the religious aspect. The end left me a bit disappointed because I wanted more answers but still solid, overall.

<I>You'll Find It's Like That All Over</I> was by far the most cohesive story and my personal favorite. It really tied the whole book together nicely and left my wheel's turning. I was on the edge of my seat, uncomfortable, and I enjoyed the reflection on societal norms most of all.

Despite wanting to not like this book at times, it really worked for me. After I finished it (in only a few sittings), I was left feeling disturbed but satisfied. Loved the author's note and getting to learn more about the experiences that led to this unusual collection. I would recommend, but only if you have a strong stomach! I honestly can't wait to read more by LaRocca. A big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

Eric LaRocca has written three sinister and unsettling stories that are almost poetic in their morbidity. There is no hiding: humanity’s ugliness is in the forefront. LaRocca’s use of religious imagery feels like the author is using the characters’ faith as a way to further their need to be a part of something bigger.

This novella is fervently based on a desire to feel like you belong. All three stories are told vastly differently, but their underlying theme remains the same: what would you do to feel connected to others? It will leave you pondering for a while after you finish reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for sending me a copy, I really appreciate it and sorry for rating it so low, but here is my honest review. This book would probably be ok if you want a very easy shock value horror, however l was really disappointed by this as a whole. Each story fell flat for me and I had expected more from the writing. The characters in all three stories felt undeveloped and two dimensional and the plots, though interesting concepts, felt less well executed than I’d hoped.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke

First of all, the things I enjoyed were the epistolary format and the overall idea of the story. However, I think the only reason this is popular is because of shock value.

I understand that character development is difficult given the format, but i found that the two characters didn’t even have distinct voices and I often had to double check whose email or message I was reading. This lack of character development means that I struggled to believe their relationship even from Agnes’ side which was meant to appear genuine throughout. This meant that it didn’t make sense that Agnes ever agreed to do anything, even just putting on the red dress. It felt like they barely knew each other and I feel like a lot of the horror could have come from the realisation that someone we had learn to trust and know could ask these things of her but since we didn’t know Zoe well enough this didnt come through at all. I also felt there was no decline which was intended to be the main part of horror aside from shock value. It really went from 0 to 100 in terms of the decline of Agnes’ mental stability and it felt like we didn’t see enough build up or cracks to warrant a breakdown on this scale.

I also had an issue with the way the characters texted. As well as showing no personal information or personality to get to know each other, the way they spoke felt really forced and unconvincing. It felt like the author was trying to show off their writing skills, meaning the characters texted as it they were authors in awkward superfluous language rather than speaking as though they are actually human.

Finally and most importantly was the issue of lesbian trauma being used as a horror trope. I don’t feel good about the fact that this wasn’t written by a sapphic person because it made me feel extremely uncomfortable and unhappy with the way it was handled.

The Enchantment

This was just fine. Again, it had an interesting concept but the execution left something to be desired. Once again, the characters were bland and unbelievable and the story simultaneously felt drawn out and underdeveloped. The first plot point was way too predictable and also logistically impossible, how does someone crucify themselves? I also found the story, though having quite a good atmosphere and being potentially interesting, didn’t really make sense. I guess this was due to them being dead all along but even that wasn’t made clear at the end and the reason for everything that happened wasn’t either. I found it forgettable and undeveloped.

You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over

Once again, it was just ok. I felt that the characters had a bit more personality than the ones in previous stories, but I still felt they lacked discernible motivation for anything that happened. I also don’t realy understand why Mr Fowlers husband was such a violent racist. I didn’t find it added anything to the story and the fact that although he says he disagrees, Fowler doesn’t seem to really care and is not shown to refute it at any point. For me it just felt like the inclusion of violent racism for no reason whatsoever and, while Im not sure this is problematic it was definitely unnecessary and uncomfortable (but not in the way horror should be.)

This is a collection of 3 short creepy stories. I recommend going in blind so each story really has that shocking element. This is what I did and I found it to be much more gripping. These stories will stick with you and you'll be thinking about them long after you've finished the last page. The first two stories were my favourite and really kept me gripped. I recommend this to anyone who likes weird, horror stories. Will definitely read more by Eric LaRocca.

Overall, I just don’t think Eric Larocca is an author for me. I try and try but I always end up feeling like his books are full of plot holes and pretentious writing despite having a meaning to his stories. Don’t get me wrong I understand this is an unpopular opinion and I’m glad a lot of people seem to love his books, just overall not my thing.

Enjoyed this. Queer horror novella. Dark and disturbing, and the format absolutely worked- had a dark nostalgic feel for the early days of the internet except drenched with dread. Can definitely see myself recommending this to horror fans.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early e-copy of the book!

Eric LaRocca has some of the most interesting, unique horror that I've read. This latest release includes "Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke" and two other short stories--"The Enchantment" and "You'll Find It's Like That All Over." I'd read the title story before and enjoyed it, and enjoyed it still upon reread. LaRocca does a fantastic job, in all three stories, of exploring the need and desire for human connection, and the way that need can turn deadly. Their characters try desperately to hold onto someone or something and in that desperation madness unfolds. The stories are dark and can be gruesome, but they're such a beautiful exploration of what it means to be human. To want something so badly you'll do whatever it takes to get it. The connection I found most interesting to reflect on was the desire for motherhood, which is definitely present in the titular story and "The Enchantment."

I was quite enchanted, for lack of a better term, by "The Enchantment," which was definitely my favorite piece in the collection. I would love to see LaRocca explore religion in more of his stories. Everything about this story worked for me: the setting, the tension, the bleak depiction of fanatic belief...it was great.

And, it goes without saying that the craft and writing of these stories is great. LaRocca's writing is exquisite and descriptive in the best ways, even though sometimes that description is grotesque and hard to read. I can't wait to see what LaRocca comes out with next.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes is a collection of three short stories that explore concepts of faith, obsession, and emotional reliance.

Ultimately, the ideas in each story are extremely interesting. The first involves a relationship that happens entirely over instant messenger/email and quickly devolves into an uncomfortable obsession. The second involves the unraveling of a woman after losing her son. The final short story entertains the question of how far one will go to maintain politeness.

Unfortunately, I found each story lacking. I fully believe a short story can be just as deep and insightful as a novel, but these all felt underbaked: huge concepts with little attention to the greater themes the author seemed interested in developing. Some moments (honestly…many moments) rely more on shock value than quality content. There were so many moments to make these stories deeper, yet they never actually capitalized on those possibilities.

I will also say that while I didn’t find any of these super disturbing as far as horror goes, if you’re squeamish…you might want to avoid (especially the first one.)

Am I glad I read it? Yes, the ideas intrigued me enough to be glad I had the experience. Do I recommend it? Eh. It’s a short read (easily a one day finish), so I’d say if it sounds even a little interesting than it’s not too big of a commitment. I’d

Thanks to the publisher for providing a free rARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of the original novella and hyped it to anyone who would listen when it came out last year. What you’ll find in the newly released collection Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes are stories of people yearning for what is lacking in their lives and seeking to fill that void.
In the first story, “Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke,” is an epistolary tale told in emails and text messages between two young women seeking connection—what starts as kindness and friendship quickly devolves to stomach-churning acts of sadomasochistic control. This story is brutal and if you are easily squeamish, read with caution.

The second tale, “The Enchantment,” we find a couple trying to repair their marriage in the wake of losing their only child. In the desperate need to connect to their son, Olive clings to her faith while husband James accepts the loss of faith in a world that has just discovered that there is no afterlife awaiting them when they pass. Lots of supernatural and rich religious symbolism present in this story. I would have loved if this had been fleshed out as a full novel.

The last story, “You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over,” is an odd tale of a man who finds a mysterious bone in his yard that leads him to his neighbor seeking answers. What follows is a bizarre encounter where his innate politeness and inability to say no when pressed upon leads to a series of bets with staggering consequences. This story gave me big Alfred Hitchcock Presents/Twilight Zone vibes. Like the entry before, I would have loved to read more of this story.

All in all, I really enjoyed this read and was thrilled to know that it lives up to the unsettling vibes of its original story. Please check the trigger warnings before reading, there is a lot of material that some might find upsetting.

5/5 Stars
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #TitanBooks for providing me with a review copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes is a collection of three short stories by Eric LaRocca. LaRocca's strengths are originality and inventiveness; each story features a unique and interesting premise, particularly the titular story, which takes the form of an epistolary narrative set in an online chatroom in the early 2000s. LaRocca's writing is also a strength - its snappy and engaging. Unfortunately, the execution of each story left something to be desired. Though each story started strong, they all sort of trickled off, and I felt that the horror elements were used for shock value rather than as part of the narrative. Regardless, I'm definitely interested to read more of LaRocca's work in the future!

you know those books and movies that leave you vibrating with the need to dig in and analyze stories for hours and hours with others? that's how i feel walking away from this collection.

i read 'things have gotten worse since we last spoke' about a year ago, and was surprised to find it just as haunting and unsettling as it had been before. it's a gripping, unusual work about finding and projecting connection, and finding limits.

"the enchantment" absolutely absorbed me. this story of a couple working through the grief of losing their son is at once so simple and so complex, and i can't get it off my mind. there is so much to say about grief and faith, and reality and horror and how to make a story extra special by combining such simple writing with stunning horror. i need to talk about this story with someone, now.

"you'll find it's like that all over" was harder for me to get into, if only because i hadn't finished processing "the enchantment" and kept getting distracted. but this game of increasing-stakes bets played between strangers was fascinating and a really interesting look at polite connection. it mostly felt like horror when you start to question your own limits.

eric larocca accomplishes something so special and unique in these stories.

<i>thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I didn't realize that this was a collection of horror stories, so I was a bit puzzled as I was reading the first one, the novella with the same title as the book. In this story, two women form an online relationship where their devotion to one another is put to extreme tests. In the second story, The Enchantment, a couple on the verge of estrangement is brought back together by a tragedy. Serving as caretakers on an isolated island in the off-season, their solitude is broken by the arrival of an unexpected guest. The final and shortest story concerns Mr. Fowler, who is somewhat ashamed that he's never taken the time to get to know their elderly neighbor. When he has an encounter with the neighbor, once again (as with the other stories), things get taken to extremes.

As someone who doesn't read a lot of horror, I wasn't sure where these stories were going. I did enjoy them, although the characters all put themselves in bizarre situations and didn't really react as one would expect them to. I do think people who enjoy creepy stories that have unpredictable endings will enjoy these stories.

There are three very interesting and jarring short stories in this book that are definitely not for the faint of heart. The stories really made me think about the topics of desperation, companionship, and social interaction. I think if you're a fan of shock horror and can handle some gore descriptive, then I think you will enjoy this. After reading this, I think I am more of a fan of psychological horror, but I still liked this book.

Thank you Titan Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Holy heck what a ride! This was dark, twisted and everything you could hope for coming into spooky season.