Review: Short Story: "The Sublet" by Greer Hendricks

The Sublet by Greer Hendricks
Published April 2025 via Amazon Original Stories

At first, Anne's latest ghostwriting job seems like a godsend—good money, even if the deadlines are punishing, and connections that make it possible for her family to move into a more spacious apartment. It's not long, though, before the cracks start to show...and Anne knows she has to learn more.

This was a very quick short story—I read it on my lunch break. The basics of Anne's story will probably be widely relatable (too much work, not enough money, not enough space, not too much "second shift" work), and if I'm honest, I enjoy reading things about the darker side of influencers and the like (why, you ask? Excellent question; if you figure it out, let me know). Anne's client isn't an influencer, but she's in that general scammy "wellness" sphere.

Some short stories give the impression that they were originally tried out as novels—this is one of them. I have mixed feelings about the way the plot plays out and wonder whether this would be better suited to a longer format, a novella if not a novel. I would have loved a bit more build-up of the things going wrong, and the ending was rather puzzling. (Without giving anything away—does Anne think that nobody will notice the similarities?) The story hints at some supernatural elements, but a longer format would have been a chance to up the ante and have something...well, happen.

One to pick up if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription but probably wouldn't be one I'd actively seek out.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.