I'll Be Home: A Holiday Horror Story II

by Marie Aitchison

I’ll Be Home is a sequel to the holiday slasher, All I Want, and novella two of the Last Christmas series.

Alyssa is trying to adapt to her new Christmas-time reality after the tragic events at her high school reunion a year ago. Her efforts are spoiled when bodies of her former classmates are discovered, leading authorities to believe a new serial killer is targeting Stone Bay High alumni. Alyssa is convinced she knows who is behind the killings, but lacks proof. Determined to enjoy her Christmas Eve, Alyssa leaves town with her boyfriend. She’s seeking a normal family holiday away from the shadow of her past. But the darkness trails her, and seeks her out at all costs. There can only ever be one Final Girl.

Genres: Horror

69 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2025

About the author

Once upon a time I worked as a Registered Nurse, now I write stories to entertain people and make them want to sleep with a nightlight on. I earned my BSN and Public Health Nursing credentials from Sacramento State University. When I'm not writing, you will find me reading and reviewing books on Instagram @topshelfbookreviews. I love stories that are strange, frightening, emotionally driven and witty. Dyer Lane is my first novel, but I have plans to contribute many more to the horror/thriller genre in the years to come. I live in Northern California with my husband and our two daughters.

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Horrors Continue!

A year later, after the gruesome Stone Bay Holiday Homicides we’re back with Alyssa! She has tried to put the past behind her with her new fiancé Joel, but a visit with his family for the Christmas holiday takes yet another deadly turn. Alyssa is beyond frustrated, I mean Imagine knowing who the k!ller is but nobody is believing you! I enjoyed this continuation of the Last Christmas horror series and excited for book 3 next year!

[Carissa | the.grim.readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun and bloody continuation from the first book in this novella series! This was the perfect one sitting read for Christmas Day….minus the cringing I was doing from some of the gore which, to be clear, is a good thing in my grim little book.

If you enjoyed All I Want by this author last holiday season, it’s basically required reading to pick up the sequel. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.

[Colleen Downey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have DNF'ed this one however I was hoping maybe the end would save it. 
It has more issues to me then the first , story line wise . Additional I think if they aurher is going to write in a reality based story they need to do more research, the officer the main interacts with pulled me right out of the story as I grow up as a police officer daughter, and was in school for crime justice additional have other family involved in law enforcement. 
That being said I can normal over looks some one not being full real world based this story hung a lot of the story on the way she wrote how the law works in her story. 
Next I understand loving slashers but if you love those movies then show the deaths on page .. all these off page deaths are so not a good slasher.  I understand not maybe going full gore but most of the deaths in this are all off page with very little description. 

I am a horror fan and try to give authors all I can about their work but I definitely don't see myself reading anything more by this author. I hope the reads who enjoy her writing find her . 

[natalielikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Sugar and spice, you've been naughty. Not nice. There's a cost for how you've treated me, but it's not coal under the Christmas tree. Your life tonight is the price. I'll take it now, and I won't think twice."

This was a nice, quick little Christmas horror read🎄 it is a sequel to the first book, ‘All I Want’ so you’ll have to read that one first. But if you like cat and mouse and final girl vibes, you’ll like this one. It is a quick read of only 72 pages so this is definitely something you can read in a day. But the story was suspenseful, thrilling, the kills were gory..there were times something was a little obvious, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of reading the story. Nothing like a Christmas horror to start to month of December 🙂‍↕️🎄🔪

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year on from the events of the first book, Alyssa is trying to rebuild her life with her boyfriend, Joel, while living in fear that Chelsea will finish what she started. When more of her graduating class are murdered, she knows Chelsea is back at it. But this time, she’s ready.

Another fast-paced—and far too short—novella. It takes place a year after the first book, and while it wasn’t quite as brutal, it was still just as good. Unlike the first one, though, the reveal of who Chelsea’s partner was felt predictable and lacked the shock factor of All I Want.
A great read, and I hope there will be a third book at some point.

[Meredith Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚: I’ll Be Home by Marie Aitchison
⭐️: 4/5

Sometimes a girl just needs a gory slasher of a Christmas novella to kick off the season. (It’s me, I’m that girl.)

A final girl story that’s a sequel of my dark horse holiday favorite slasher, All I Want, brings Alyssa back on Christmas Eve… and let’s just say that all is not calm and all is not so bright.

I’m such a sucker for this series and two years was too long for this follow up. @topshelfbookreviews, please don’t make us wait 2 years for the third installment, I beg of you!

[Matt Aitchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect follow up to All I Want. It was a little more somber than the first as Alyssa works through her trauma from book 1 and had a great ending that definitely sets the stage for book 3 next holiday season. This series is fun and quick to read, which I love because I just want something fast to binge during the holidays.

[Jessica Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who else loves a side of slasher with their Christmas carols?

The sequel to ALL I WANT delivers another fast-paced, horrific story that can be read in one sitting. The chilling atmosphere and suspense left me wanting more. Fans of Scream will love it! I can't wait for book 3 - All is Calm.

[Chelsey Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ☆'s rounded up

Another fast-paced slasher from author Marie Aitchison.
After reading part 1, I just had to dive straight into part two and find out what happened next.
I love the pacing and the twists in these books.

[Madison Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually very much enjoy reading this short story series every year for the holidays. Who knew Id like gore & Christmas mixed together

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first

Good second book. Leaves an opening for a possible third in the series. Good short read. Looking forward to more from this author.

[Hayli · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️