This is Brooke's story on the one hand and Christina's on the other. I kept wrecking my brain trying to find out how those two ladies would connect in the end and I thought I had found it although somewhere, in the back of my mind, I felt it did not really fit completely. 

There was only one thing left to do: keep on reading, trying to find out more details to glue my theory together. I could keep on looking until I grew a second head, but I eventually had to throw in the towel, admitting I had the wrong end of the stick.

And then slowly but gradually, I started to dislike someone I had liked and felt for because their true colors were being revealed. 

A gripping story that I enjoyed very much. 5 stars

Thank you

A great thriller that kept me glued to my kindle, loved the twists, I look forward to read more books by this author.

This was such an enjoyable thriller. Not full of gore or too scary but a perfect balance to keep you on edge. The stories linked together very well, even if they were somewhat predictable.

Honestly, The New Family is a book you have to persevere with. Although the first two thirds of the story were intriguing, it’s not really until it starts coming to the end that it really kicked off. I think it was worth sticking with. I had a vague idea of where the story might go but I was certainly thrown by the twists.

The New Family is in fact a dual narrative told by Brooke and another woman named Christina, with Christina’s story occurring a couple of years earlier. Both stories were interesting but it was hard to see how they connect at the beginning. However, once little tidbits of information begun to be dropped and the pieces started falling into place, you want to continue to the end.

Both Christina and Brooke were interesting characters. While they may be seen as weak by others, they were actually strong women battling their demons. I also liked that even though they were linked, their stories were different, so it made for a more interesting read.

Loved this thriller. It was very well done and the book kept you involved in the story. Loved the pace of the story and how it was involving from start to finish.

A gripping read, full of twists and turns. Good plot and characters and lots of surprises I didn't see coming.

Wow, there was a lot going on in this psychological thriller. This is my 2nd from Victoria Jenkins and was on par with the last I read. I really like her writing style. She included a few POVs which made things more interesting because I was trying to figure out how the two POV's and dual timelines were related the entire time. The author does a good job of throwing in little clues but not enough to give away the major reveal. I found this one pretty gripping and was totally shocked by the twists. I did not see the major twist coming one bit and thought the ending was a really fantastic end to the book. This was captivating and held my attention throughout. The characters are well developed for the most part so I had an easy time connecting to them. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have recently read this thriller novel, yet because of the lack of creativity, I had forgotten most of what I had read, thus I am writing this review many days after. The story progresses rapidly from both the perspectives of the characters. Although the author had provided the explanations towards the end, there were still a few things that didn't quite make sense to me. Although I have read better, this book is definitely not the worst I've come across. Despite this review, I haven’t let it discourage me from reading more books by this author.

I enjoy this author’s clever writing style, she captivates me from the very beginning of her books. This story is kind of complex, told from two POVs, over different timelines and locations. But it all came together in the end. I would suggest going into this one blind and allowing the author to carry you away like I did. **Trigger Warning for domestic and sexual abuse. Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Available now

The new family.
Starts at a normal place with pretty normal things happening to realistic characters. Take note of all the different characters introduced as they return later in the denouement of this exciting and cleverly orchestrated psychological thriller. The two main story lines are more woven together than initially revealed and, as the truth emerges towards the end, the pace quickens. Topics of coercion, emotional and physical abuse and grief are core to this book through great characters created by Victoria Jenkins.
Great read and satisfying but shocking ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me for this book.

I felt the writing was done well in this book but there was just something missing for me and I couldn't get into it and enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.

I enjoyed this one alot. I'm read all of Jenkins books. I would give this one 4 out of 5. The twisted at the end definitely got me. I didn't see that coming

Loved it, really good fast paced thriller full of twists and turns and had me racing through it to get to the end!! Will look out for more from the author…

This book starts off in a slow pace and alternates between 2 characters. I still could not stop turning the pages . Secrets and lies all over the place. The cover is just brilliant and was what attracted me in the first place.

Really enjoyed this one! Oliver, a single father, moves into Brooke's family home. The seemingly fantastic tenants have tons of baggage but very little belongings. When pressed, Oliver shuts down - not willing to share his past with Brooke.

It is a dual timeline, jumping back and forth through the point of views of Brooke and Christina - following the story and murders through their eyes. A slow build, but enjoyable book with solid misdirection. A few parts of the plot seemed a little clunky but didn't detract from the overall enjoyment.

TW: domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking

📌 Pub Date: November 16, 2021

I was given an ARC of this story to read; but thoughts and opinions are all my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book!

The New Family by Victoria Jenkins

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Can you really trust the family next door?

Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three-year-old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings?

When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can’t shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. Why aren’t her new tenants’ names listed anywhere online?

I am not sure what I thought of this book - initially I was hooked, I put the book down at around 30% and found myself quickly picking it back up again. Once the two stories joined up I found myself struggling to read on. This book is full of secrets and lies along with deep issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence. Two well constructed timelines. This is an 'ok' thriller, I just wish it had held my attention a little more.

Rating 3/5

An interesting plot that makes you wonder where it’s all leading and how the characters are connected. After a slow start the plot ramps up and the complexity of the characters lives and how they are entwined boils down to one man’s choices and actions.

Enjoyment: 4.5
Total rating: 4.5

I love the way Jenkins tells stories. Her character work is superb, and the seemingly unconnected storylines, each strong on their own, converge into a third act that brings it all together without losing tension or character development.

The new family was a well-crafted psychological mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very satisfying end.

Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of The New Family.

Victoria Jenkins has written another psychological thriller. Although it contains violence and sexual assault this dual storyline is filled with twists, turns, surprises and two strong willed female characters, Brooke and Christina.

Brooke has a passion for painting and has decided to rent rooms in her childhood home to two new tenants, Oliver and his son Finley. They arrive with one bag shared between them and no other known belongings. Oliver avoids conversation, answering questions and shares absolutely nothing about his past. He speaks for his young son and Brooke finds this worrying. Suspicions arrive when her home studio suddenly catches fire.

Christina is a married, mother of twins who just ended an affair that she is trying to conceal from her husband. Her lover is not that willing to let go.

The mastery in Victoria Jenkins story telling is how she is able to misdirect the reader while weaving the lives of these two characters together. Filled with the tension and intrigue of a great thriller this is a very recommended read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for an ARC exchange for an honest book review.

This twisty thriller centres on two different women. Cristina and Brooke. Cristina is a mum of twins that seems to have the perfect life and Brooke is living in a seaside town with lots of ghosts of the pasts - but what connects the two women? This was a really good read - it took forever for me to work out what connected the two women but when it was revealed - wow! I loved that it was set in a seaside town and also that it mentioned the pandemic in passing. It was very well written and the characters were great too. There are lots of good themes in the book, blackmail, family, affairs, lies which really added to the story. How it was all connected was so clever and I loved the twist at the end. This was my first book by the author but won’t be my last - I loved it!