Title: Very Slowly All at OnceAuthor: Lauren Schott
Published by: Harper on Jan. 20, 2026
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Source: Harper Books
Book Rating: 8/10
A propulsive and wickedly entertaining debut thriller for fans of Laura Dave and Ashley Elston that explores the dark underside of the American dream, about a couple whose financial problems are seemingly answered when they begin receiving growing sums of money from an unknown source . . . a windfall that will carry an unthinkable price.
Mack and Hailey Evans have worked hard to achieve their upper-middle-class life: promising careers, two beautiful children, and a brand-new house in the exclusive lakefront village of Bratenahl, Ohio. Not that everything’s perfect—aging parents, problems at work, and even the upkeep on that gorgeous house have been causing these two increasing amounts of worry.
When a small check appears in the mailbox from a mysterious company named Sunshine Enterprises, Mack assumes it’s from his wealthy, estranged father, trying to buy his way back into their lives. Though he’d rather rip it up, Mack deposits the needed funds. To his surprise the checks keep coming—each for a larger amount larger than the last. When Hailey finds out what’s going on, she has her own suspicions about the provenance of the payments. Despite growing uncertainty over the identity of their benefactor Mack and Hailey keep taking the money. After all, there are bills to pay.
It is a choice with dark repercussions, as the couple soon learn the hard way that nothing in life is free. Suddenly, the Evans find themselves in a harrowing arrangement with someone who will stop at nothing to get a return on their investment.
Review:
Crafty, intricate, and suspenseful!
Very Slowly All at Once is a gritty, absorbing tale that draws you into the lives of the Evans family, who on the surface appear to have it all, until everything quickly begins to unravel, money grows tight, mysterious cheques arrive in the mail and are cashed, careers are recklessly jeopardized, their brand-new home starts to crumble around them, and it becomes chillingly clear that someone is targeting them.
Overall, Very Slowly All at Once is a cunning, entertaining, sinister debut adult novel by Schott that is a highly satisfying read and an eerie reminder of just how far some people are willing to go to get what they want.
This novel is available now.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to Harper for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Lauren Schott
Lauren Schott was born in Akron, Ohio, and is a graduate of Duke University. She has spent twenty-five years working in publishing. Very Slowly All at Once is her first novel for adults.
Photo by Claire Walsh.
