This was a really disturbing and unsettling collection, featuring the title novella, and two further short stories. As the author's note suggests, all of the stories are about longing for something, but each one deals with very different interpretations of the subject matter. I particularly enjoyed the title novella, both in terms of the story itself but also the narrative structure. Told completely through emails and instant messaging, we follow Agnes and Zoe as their relationship becomes more and more depraved. This story went to some very dark places and I really enjoyed it. I thought that the second story had a much more whimsical and dreamlike quality to the prose and I found myself never quite sure what was real or not. The story built on this with an ambiguous ending, which I appreciated. The third (and shortest) story was a really good example of how to build tension throughout the narrative, but I thought that this was the weakest of the three overall. I thought this was a great collection and will definitely be reading from this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke", by Eric
Larocca, gets every star from me.
Two women, Agnes and Zoe, meet online and build this strange relationship. The LGBTQ novella was set in the late 90's to early 2000's. The novella had a unique format of email and instant messages; a period before online dating.
It had a benign start, but as their relationship develops, Larocca really takes you on a stomach churning ride into darkness.
These characters were seeking companionship and loneliness can make people do bizarre things. It is almost sad to see the lengths people will
go. You really gets a sense of the characters raw emotions as Larocca was able to create these three dimensional characters through email correspondence. At times it was uncomfortable
but still I could not tear my eyes from the pages. It was only last night that I was able to stop reading because my eyes betrayed me and fell asleep.
Picture two lonely women. Each of them sitting in their own dark apartments in front of a lit up computer screen. It can be sad to see the lengths people will go to find companionship.

Eric LaRocca’s writing style is top tier when it comes to my horror reads. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by him and Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes was right on mark. We have three stories here. I most definitely didn’t enjoy all three the same. Quite honestly, this isn’t my favorite work by Eric LaRocca but I still enjoyed it.

If you’re looking for a slow burn, disturbing/grim stories with gripping & great writing than this one is definitely for you. It’s a book that can easily be binge read in one sitting!! Happy Reading!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderfully weird collection of short stories. It's the kind of book you could read quickly for the strange concepts and great writing, or you could spend ages on it and be thinking about it and analysing it for weeks.

I'd recommend for fans of books that are weird, unhinged, and a little disturbing at times. If you like Sayaka Murata and Bora Chung then you'll love this.

It's a short read that packs such a punch so it's definitely worth your time. I can't wait to read more from this author.

“What have you done today to deserve your eyes?”

This nauseating novella is definitely one for those with a strong stomach! The story is disturbing and dark, although it starts off strange and innocent; a conversation regarding the purchase of an apple peeler. Of Course you can’t imagine how this situation could possibly derail resulting in such an unsettling experience - Eric LaRocca absolutely takes you off the rails with this one. I’ve never read anything that could compare to this and the execution is perfect. It will make you squirm and recoil in horror.
‘Things have gotten worse’ is one of those texts that you read then stare into space for roughly an hour in an attempt to digest what you’ve just read. It explores manipulation and control, leaving the reader dreading what’s to unfold. You won’t be able to put it down; I read it off in one sitting, so get comfy and sit tight. I was so captivated that I felt the need to force one of best friends to read it, and now I’m recommending it to you. The whole experience is parasitic and will fester inside your mind beyond the final page.

I read the titular novella when it first came out and you can read my review of it here along with the author interview. This novella is what launched LaRocca’s writing career and with good merits, as it’s dark and seductive and with a bold ending.

The second story, “The Enchantment,” was absolutely riveting. A couple decides to live on a remote island after the death of their only son. One day they’re visited by a stranger and soon you’re left unsure whether he’s a harbinger of good or evil.

The third and final story, “You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over,” delves into the trouble one gets into when attempting to stay civil even when your gut tells you to leave because the circumstances feel so off. This was tense and very dark.

Overall, these tales explore the need for human connection in a way that is dark and fascinating but can also be deadly. I recommend this collection if you’re a reader of dark literature.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I throughly enjoyed this novel. In fact, it’s one of the few lately that has held my attention throughout the entire story. While I could see a few things coming, I never felt like rushing though it. I would definitely recommend it to friends.

I must admit that Eric LaRocca’s anthology Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, has come with plenty of hype.

The American writer has put together three very different, yet haunting tales for this book, which mostly hits the mark.

The titular story covers around half of this book, and is a visceral tale of desperation, loneliness and predatory behaviour, all played out through emails and instant messages.

LaRocca knows how to weave an intriguing story with characters that are relatable but also, you feel have plenty of secrets.

In the second story we follow a young couple who attempt to recover from the death of their son, but taking off to a remote island and get more than they bargained for. Here LaRocca tackles isolation and how a parent deals with losing a child.

The final story sees a man confront his neighbour after discovering a strange object in his backyard. This is the shortest of the stories and is the most disposable, especially given how top tier the previous efforts are.

LaRocca is certainly a promising writer who clearly revels in scratching the itch and tapping into their dark side.

Although this collection only has three stories in it, they are each excellent, grotesque, and absolutely unforgettable.

The title story about two girls and their toxic relationship is so well written that I felt trapped inside their insanity while reading.

The Enchantment is a dark, captivating tale about losing faith.

You'll Find It's Like That All Over is a strange tale about neighbors, power, and control.

I loved all three!

I couldn't wait to read this after hearing so much about Eric Larocca and his work.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke - 3 Stars
I found the title piece to be the strongest and the most thought provoking, centred around trust, need and loneliness. Some parts were slightly difficult to read but I accepted that was the point.
The Enchantment - 2 stars
The second piece fell a bit flat for me. It was a take on grief that was far top long and clunky to deliver its intended message.
You'll Find It's Like That All Over - 3 stars
The third piece was a short story that covered social norms and our insistence to follow them for fear of offending.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book, big thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I tried this and it seemed like it would be right up my alley so much so that I have a physical copy, but unfortunately I just did not vibe with it. I didn't end up finishing but I may give it another ago at some point.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke & Other Misfortunes is a collection with interesting and creepy ideas and imagery, but at-times clunky writing. In Things Have Gotten Worse, we follow the internet chat transcripts of two women when the sale of a vintage apple peeler goes further than the seller could’ve imagined. In the Enchantment, a couple reels after the gruesome suicide of their son. They take on a winter caretaking role at an isolated hotel and are visited by a young man with mysterious intentions. And in the last story, a neighbor sees the consequences of being polite in the face of discomfort. These stories entertain interesting ideas, but could have used another round of editing as there were many habitual uses of words and phrases that detracted from the story.

Things Have Gotten Worse was the strongest story/novella in this collection. I really liked the way it was told and it has this sinister feeling. We see the dynamic change between these two women that are communicating online, with dominant and submissive roles being adopted. The other two stories in this collection did not hold my attention as much, especially the last story.

This Story gripped me and held me captive for days! Nothing for readers who have an easy upset stomach but for all the horror lovers it’s a must read!

f‘Things have gotten worse…’ contains 3 of the most exquisite, and disturbing, short stories (almost novellas)that I have read in many a year.

Misfortunes is a subtle understatement when delving into the horror and ramifications of identity, loss and wanting to belong which thread these stories together.

In the first, titular story, a relationship initially developed from a wanted ad, creates a sense of intimacy and knowledge which is not always possible when meeting in the physical flesh. The distance between yourself and the people you are conversing with is paradoxically widened, and narrowed, by the potential to re-invent yourself and to compel other lonely souls to do your bidding. What begins as a cautious dance , escalates into a folie a deux with, at its core (pun intended) an antique apple peeler. Please don’t google what one looks like, before reading the story, let your imagination roam first, is what I would advise. The story takes the form of internet chatroom conversations being used as evidence of some criminal act, therefore some of the details are redacted, making you feel both voyeur to their relationship as well as judge on the appropriateness of this form of communication. As the layers are built up, their defences are peeled away leaving both women raw, and vulnerable. Or are they?#

The second tale, The Enchantment, takes a grieving couple whose child has died under horrific circumstances, and places them on an island with an abandoned hotel, limited access and plenty of time to think over their son’s last exhortation to them both. Who then, is the man who knocks upon their door? And what is his purpose? Exploring religious allegory alongside the notion of birth, rebirth and the acceptance of death, this tale creates a claustrophobic tension in the space between the two parents whilst widening out the vista of possibilities with the arrival of a second male. It is subtly beautiful whilst being simultaneously horrifying.

The final tale, You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over, is again a story of morals verus morality, and the societal pressure to be polite having consequences which are extremely far reaching, In the attempt to do the right thing, oftentimes, more damage can be wreaked and the cumulative nature of what happens after finding a fragment of bone in his garden, will haunt both him and the reader alike.

You are never entirely sure where Eric LaRocca is taking you, and what impact each story will have as an impact on your sleeping hours will change from reader to reader, and yet, you are quite happy to let him take you by the hand, lead you down a very dark alley and when he tells you to open your eyes, will you?

I did and I absolutely do not regret it, his is one of the most exciting new voices in horror for a very long time.

For starters, I cannot say enough good things about the titular story of Eric LaRocca's THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE SINCE WE LAST SPOKE AND OTHER MISFORTUNES. It is so fantastically written, and inventive despite its use of a classic style (the epistolary format, which has been common to horror since at least DRACULA). It's also thoroughly, phenomenally gross. This is far beyond "not for the squeamish;" this is body-horror gore as a gymnastics feat. Yet if it were just those things it wouldn't have the appeal it does. It is an aching and heartbreaking tale of loneliness and the way relationship dynamics can become manifestations of cruelty, taken to outrageous Grand Guignol extremes. I'm being coy about the details because you can find plot descriptions elsewhere, but suffice to say you can find toned-down versions of the toxic relationship between Agnes and Zoe anywhere you look, across all communities.

The brief collection's other two stories cannot live up to the immediacy and sheer audaciousness of "Things," but that doesn't make them "worse:" just different (though as LaRocca addresses in the afterword, they share a loose but notable thematic connection). "The Enchantment," in particular, is unpredictable, wrenching and at least a little bit vicious. LaRocca will be a horror name to follow for a long time, I think.

So disturbing, creepy & weird. I AM HERE FOR IT!

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this arc. It’s the perfect unsettling read for spooky season

LaRocca has been a powerhouse with new releases this year. Tons of hits and a few misses for me, but this collection of a novella and two unreleased short stories was a solid collection of hits.

5 stars: "Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke" is a reread and upon revisiting this piece, I'm giving it 5 stars. I see its issues and acknowledge them, but I enjoyed seeing all of the hints that were left from the beginning that I didn't get on my first read.
4 stars: "The Enchantment" is a harsh gut-punch which opens with a brutal suicide inspired by Christ on the Cross (reminiscent of a story told in the earlier novella). It takes a haunted and The Shining inspired turned and I liked where it went, but I didn't love it.
3 stars: "You'll Find That It's Like That All Over" is an interesting look into the sobriety and harshness of suburbia and putting on airs. What happens when all bets are off and one is forced to come face to face with the depravity of those you live next door to? It leaves an interesting question being posed, but it leaves off without saying anything concrete or leaving the reader fulfilled.

4 stars for the overall collection.

Three stories that nest in your mind. Creepy and at times gore- but above all full of reflections on feelings on everyday topics in which we do not want a deep thought.
With Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, without doubt Eric LaRocca makes you look at things you don’t want to give it a second glance, but doesn't do it in vain.

I'm somewhat new to horror. I dip my toes in every now and then. I knew THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE SINCE WE LAST SPOKE AND OTHER MISFORTUNES contained a few short stories. I'm not the biggest fan of short stories because I'm always left feeling the end comes too abruptly.

Overall, I liked the three stories for the simple fact they were just different. Unique. Weird. A tad stressful. And I enjoyed the uncomfortableness I had reading these as opposed to my usual genres of thrillers.

With that said, I think the author set out to write a pushback against Religion as the underlying theme. And that is where I'm kind of meh. In the last couple of years it's become a social media/publishing trend to push back against Religion. I have many thoughts on this, none of which nobody actually cares to hear. lol. I will say I do not like reading stories where the characters are fighting against faith or beliefs in any Religion. It almost always comes off as preachy to me (oh, the irony).

However, to each his own and I thought the author had a great note about his reasoning behind his questioning of Religion. I certainly do not regret reading this book. I enjoyed reading something different. I suppose my only hesitation is it wasn't what I assumed it would be.

I think there are many horror readers who will get a big kick out of these stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me a copy of THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE SINCE WE LAST SPOKE AND OTHER MISFORTUNES to review.

I rate THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE SINCE WE LAST SPOKE AND OTHER MISFORTUNES three out of five stars.