We Came to Welcome You: A Novel of Suburban Horror BY Vincent Tirado

We Came to Welcome You by Vincent Tirado is a gripping psychological horror novel that blends social commentary with eerie, supernatural elements. The story follows Sol Reyes, a woman struggling with personal and professional turmoil, including a plagiarism accusation at her university lab and the strain of caring for her homophobic father. Sol finds solace in alcohol, while her wife, Alice Song, remains hopeful as they move into the seemingly idyllic, gated community of Maneless Grove.

At first, the picturesque neighborhood appears to offer a fresh start, but Sol quickly becomes unsettled by the overly friendly, yet subtly hostile, neighbors and the strange rules enforced by the Homeowners Association. Alice, ever the optimist, dismisses Sol’s suspicions as overreaction and blames her growing anxiety on her worsening drinking problem. However, the bizarre occurrences in the house—disappearing doors, creeping roots—start to suggest that something far darker is at play.

When Sol discovers a journal left behind by a former resident who vanished under mysterious circumstances, she begins to unravel the truth behind Maneless Grove’s pristine façade. The community’s cult-like fixation on conformity and "neighborly spirit" hides a more sinister agenda, forcing Sol to question whether assimilation is truly survival or a death of identity.

Tirado's novel masterfully explores themes of systemic racism, assimilation, and the pressures to conform, all while delivering a chilling and suspenseful narrative. With sharp wit and dark humor, We Came to Welcome You asks whether survival is worth losing your true self in the process.