This is not a ghost story

In need of a job the summer before her first year at Bryn Mawr, 17-year-old Nebraskan Daffodil Turner is offered a position housesitting in Scarlett Mills, Pa. Despite the homeowner's insistence that the "rumors" are not true, Daffodil starts to experience strange occurrences--items moving on their own, animals scratching to get inside--and odd behaviors from nosy neighbor Penelope and construction worker Mike, who is overseeing a crew building something mysterious behind the house. Determined to make it through her solo summer by binge-watching alien and conspiracy theory shows, Daffodil battles growing anxiety and suicidal thoughts as reality collides with her hazy nightmares. Flashbacks of Daffodil's life before graduation, including memories of first love Zander Haaf, and numerous hints at a moment Daffodil refuses to acknowledge may lead some readers to guess the final revelation. Portes (Anatomy of a Misfit) breaks the fourth wall in Daffodil's first-person, stream-of-consciousness interior monologue, tempering gruesome scenes with Daffodil's likable and chatty personality, and creating a memorable novel reminiscent of John Bellairs stories. Ages 13--up. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Nov.)■

Despite growing signs of paranormal activity, Daffodil Turner refuses to abandon her housesitting job. It's the summer before college, and Daffodil needs money to fund her new life--the one she's hoping will be better than her old one. Feeling strangely compelled by the sight of clusters of daffodils, she jumps off the train on her way to the Main Line, Philadelphia, campus and finds herself at the door of a slightly intimidating old house. Luckily, the owner has a job for her: overseeing a renovation project while he's gone. This suits Daffodil perfectly; she can hide in her attic bedroom and not feel pressured to pretend to be happy. But soon Daffodil's nights spent binge-watching Ancient Aliens are interrupted; she feels a dark force watching her. Another night, a scratching noise grows louder, seemingly aware of her presence--and that's just the beginning. As eerie occurrences veer into violence, Daffodil rationalizes away the idea that anything's wrong. She needs this job; if she doesn't get paid, she has to go home to Nebraska. She'd rather face all the horrors the house can muster, as well as painful memories from her past, than surrender. Daffodil's first-person narration works against the story; the horrors read as told, not shown, and her extreme denial grows tiresome. The final twist reads as both obvious and in conflict with Daffodil's fiercely independent character. All characters are White. Another clichéd haunted house story. (Paranormal thriller. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.