This book was a wild ride! This was one of the most enjoyable thrillers I've read in a long time - yes, the ending was a little over the top but I also found it super satisfying. I agree with other readers who said it has "Ready or Not" vibes - but that was another movie that I loved way more than I anticipated. I highly recommend this one!

I immediately thought of the movie Ready or Not, which I absolutely loved! Even though this premise of this book was completely different, I still loved the whole idea. Isn’t everyone scared of having terrible in-laws?

Harry was and will continue to be one of my favorite book characters. She was so determined, to know the truth about the family she was marrying into that she literally risked her own life. The whole Holbeck family intrigued me, I had no idea who to trust.

The plot twist was definitely one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I in no way, shape, or form saw it coming. This book gave me everything I needed and more in a thrilling mystery novel.

Well, that was amazing!

Harriet is the next it-girl thriller writer, and she’s newly engaged to an amazing man who comes from an old money New York family.
Things slowly go awry as Harriet learns that her husband’s family loves to play games, and that the stakes are much higher than in any game she’s ever played before.
I loved the ending of this one. So much crazier than I expected and so much more satisfying.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman is one hell of a book! First, special thanks to Ballantine Nooks for the advance readers copy via Netgalley and PRH Audio for the complimentary audio book narrated by the author itself! It was phenomenal!

Harry Reid was an orphan with secrets of the past, an author at the present whose debut novel hit the floor running! She has million copies sold, she was getting paid and she was also engaged! Edward, the fiancè comes from a family of the rich! And by rich, I mean-the rich type where grown kids have nannies and legal counsel joins family dinners. The rich has tradition- extra ordinary, uncanny kind of traditions. They play big games with big prizes! They stop for no one and gets rid of anybody that stand in between them and the game prize. Harry needs to play the game, for her own safety and for the future of her soon to be born child.

This book was a slow burn, low simmer, deep rumble to crescendo. It was suspense at its finest. It was dark and twisted, sick and scary and if this is what it makes to be rich- I do not know if I want to belong with the empire! There was always and argument about the movie Die Hard being a Christmas Movie or not. Others agree it was and others strongly don’t. The Family Game is quite the same, because the Christmas Celebrations and Traditions in this book is more like a horror story to me! A roller coaster of bright holiday lights, decorated dinner table, mixed with dead bodies, masked monster, flesh burning and bow-tied presents under the tree. If you love extra-ordinary holiday traditions, I highly recommend The Family Game for ideas! Ha,ha- just please do not invite me.

I LOVED The Disappearing Act by Catherine so to say that I was extra excited for this beauty would be an understatement!

Steadman is a masterful storyteller. The Family Game doesn't disappoint.

Catherine writes the perfect thrillers. And I do mean Perfect!
This book like her others, grabs you from the first word and keeps you on the damn edge for more.
A very clever and page turner with some interesting twists along the way.
How she comes up with stories like this is such a clever idea for a story.
She creates an atmosphere filled with a stifling and compulsive need for more.
The feeling of isolation and confusion was brilliantly written.
I loved the characters, thier development and feeling like I knew them.
This was one of those I didn't want to leave this book, when I had to.
I can't remember the last time I read a book that was so engrossing, almost to the point of mania.
I couldn't wait to return to the story!
Kudos to Catherine Steadman for penning such an interesting and absorbing novel.
She is a talented, clever writer and she knows how to create tension really well.
Her suspense/thrillers are just that.
All in all it was very entertaining, taut thriller that I could not put down.
The story captured you into the heart of it & held you with every word.
Astonishing storytelling - taking you along on this crazy journey. The suspense kept me glued to my Kindle.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Random House & Ballantine,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Family Game is the story of Harriet "Harry" Reed, a bright new author from the UK who has recently moved to the United States after meeting the love of her life. The love of her life also happens to be Edward Holbeck, heir to the Holbeck fortune.

While meeting the family of a significant other is always prone to drama and disaster, the stakes are raised when they are mysterious old-money billionaires and you have a dark secret in your past. For Harriet, meeting the in-laws quickly turns into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that threatens to ruin everything she has.

While the book is a bit slow to start, the twists in the back half have a pretty good payoff that makes up for it.

I have a feeling the ending will have mixed reviews. The rug-sweeping of abusive behavior in favor of a convenient ending for the main character reminds me a bit of Colleen Hoover's writing [derogatory].

Some of the messaging in the book is a bit toxic, but it was still overall an enjoyable read. If you like a twisty tale of family drama, this will be a good pick for you.

Crossposted to goodreads at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4816790652?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

This was such a perfect, twisty thriller that pulled me in from the start. After hearing her new fiancée's family patriarch confess to deadly secrets, Harriet(Harry) is thrown into a deadly game with her soon to be in-laws. I was so anxious and on the edge of my seat awaiting what was to be discovered and what everyone--including Harry--was hiding.

This book was so good! I was hooked from the very beginning. I've been excited to read this since I first saw it was being released. I was not disappointed. Harry was just beginning her career as an up and coming author of thrillers. She was also about to marry the man of her dreams, but she hadn't met his family. Why was he trying to keep her from them? Were they as powerful and dangerous as she was told they were? Harry will just have to find out what they are hiding, but will they figure out what she is hiding?

An author discovers deadly family secrets when she meets her fiancé’s incredibly wealthy and powerful, family for the first time.

Harriette’s life seems perfect. Her debut novel was a bestseller and she’s in love with the man of her dreams. But Harriette has a dark secret that must never come to light. Edward, her fiancé, is estranged from his powerful old-money family. The news of their engagement motivates Edward’s family to bring him back into the fold. And that’s when Harriette gets pulled into a deadly game.

This is one of those books where, when I finished it, I thought “that was pretty good. I liked it.” And then after awhile I started to really think about it. And guess what? Nah. Didn’t really like it that much. Most of the book is just a set up for the last 40ish pages. And upon reflection, the “solution” to take care of the dark, deadly family secret that the rich, powerful father comes up with pretty ridiculous. Sorry I’m being so vague. I don’t want to give away any spoilers.

I have really enjoyed the author’s previous books, but this one just didn’t do it for me.

I am definitely a fan of the Catherine Steadman thrillers I have read, and I really need to check out more of her backlist. This book had me on the edge of my seat trying to guess who you could trust and who was evil. There were a few minor things I didn't love about the book, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment of the read. The characters and plot were well developed, and even though I had figured out the big twist before the end, I definitely did not mind. I loved the peek into the lifestyle of the very wealthy, and I enjoyed the different locations in which the book was set.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Catherine Steadman for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Family Game coming out October 18, 2022. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload the review to Amazon when the book is released. I also usually do a review on TikTok.

Harriet Reed is an up and coming novelist who is about to achieve stardom. She’s engaged to Edward Holbeck who is the oldest son and heir of a very powerful, wealthy family.

As Harriet is drawn into their rich lifestyle, the family seems perfectly amenable. Then Edward’s father, Robert gives Harriet a tape of a book he’s been working on. She’s excited to listen to it, but once she hears it, she realizes it’s a confession to a murder. Suddenly the family game is in motion.

Harriet decides to keep this tape from Edward, working out the mystery alone. Why would Robert give her the power to destroy their family?

Thrillers are sometimes a hit or miss with me, but I absolutely loved this book! I love books with deadly games involved. The holidays are also a fun time and sometimes bring out the worst in families with their drama. I loved Krampusnacht and the fact that it was on my birthday, haha. The twists were so fun and I loved the ending! Harriet was such a good character. I loved that she was smart and literary. She was an author and did her research. She did what she had to do to protect her family. 
I will definitely check out more books by Catherine Steadman!

I would recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary murder mysteries and thrillers!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60417443

THE FAMILY GAME by Catherine Steadman
rating: 4 STARS
genre: mystery, suspense

I have mixed feelings about this book. And this review is difficult to write even though I just finished the novel yesterday.

Did I enjoy it? Yes, immensely.
Does it make sense? No, not really.
Did the "twist" seem to come from no where? Yes, absolutely.

The beginning of THE FAMILY GAME moved kind of slowly for my taste. Steadman really spent some time trying to let you get to know Harry and the inner workings of her brain - which was interesting. You're kept on the edge of your seat while you wonder what could have possibly happened in her past that makes her so anxious about the future. You see as she becomes more and more enthralled in Robert and the mystery that he has laid before her - you can hear it in the tone Steadman writes in.

However, as the family events begin to happen and relationships come to light, that's when the plot seems to run away with itself. It was VERY entertaining and interesting, however it made no sense to me.

So if you're looking for an interesting suspense novel & you're okay with the twists coming out of no where, then this book is for you! Again, really enjoyed! Just confused. Will continue to read Steadman's novels because they always keep me turning pages to find out what happens next.

This book didn’t totally do it for me. Interesting premise and storyline but it all felt a little over the top and ridiculous to me and I had trouble getting into it.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

OMGAHHHHH I couldn’t put this one down at all. Very much Ready or Not - a woman is marrying into an Uber rich family with eccentric traditions, like cruel games designed to push you to the brink. It was so fast paced and full of tension and I could not stop reading. Well done!!

WOW! The cover was what pulled me in, love the blue background with the neon letters and then the write up pulled me in more. I started it much later then I had intended to because it was sooo suppose to have been read weeks ago, but yeah, so read in a day because the more Harry tells you about the Holbroks the more you want to know. And then when you think you know enough...well you'll see. This has definitely turned me onto a new author with fingers crossed I love her other books as much as this one. Everyone needs to go check out The Family Game!

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

Published: October 18, 2022
Ballantine Books
Pages: 332
Genre: Psychological Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Catherine Steadman is an actress and author based in London. She has appeared in leading roles on British and American television as well as on stage in the West End, where she has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award. She grew up in New Forest, Hampshire, and now lives in North London with her husband and daughter.

“Actions must have repercussions.”

Harriet is an author in love, living in New York. She’s far from home, but since her parents died in the accident, Harriet doesn’t have a home. She had Edward, the oldest son of an extremely wealthy and influential family. A family that can control any narrative and erase the facts if necessary. Coming into this family could cost Harriet her life.

This was a slow burn. There was a lot of build-up and a lot of explanation. The intensity starts at a solid seven and holds there for a large portion of the book. There are increases, but on average, the plot moves along slowly.

The characters were deeply complicated, and each had more layers than an onion. As the plot moves along, we get to know the various characters through Harriet’s perspective. Harriet is also a deeply layered character, though she is not nearly as complicated as the rest of the cast.

I enjoyed how this story was told and how the past was tangled in with the present; it was reminiscent of a volcano. The pressure slowly starts to build up more and more, and as we begin to anticipate the eruption- things shift unexpectedly.

The twist in this novel was well placed, well played, and took me completely by surprise. I enjoyed the twisted methods in this book. This would make an excellent tv show if it were done correctly.

The intricacies, the deceit, and the will to survive will keep you glued to the pages of this book.

What an adventurous thriller. This novel is a fast paced. It will keep you on your toes. A lot of characters. As a reader, you have no idea who to trust. Steadman let’s you think you’ve got it all figured out, but at last you don’t. There were a few holes left in the story in my opinion, but the ending came around full circle, so I can live without the answers to my questions. I will read another book by this author.
There is a scene in the book where the main character gives an absolutely fantastic “drop the mic response ” to another character. Slayed. Had to add that. Mild sexual content. Medium profanity.

Harriet Reed is about to have it all, her first book was a success and she is newly engaged to the love of her life, Edward Holbeck. Edward is the heir to an extraordinarily powerful family. He has been distant from his family but when the news of the engagement hits the family wants to reconnect. Soon Harriet finds out the Holbecks like to play games, even deadly ones. Joining this family comes with a price you may just have to pay with your life!

Wow! This book was absolutely amazing! The buildup to the Christmas ending was slow and palpable and had me biting my lip. The slow reveal of secrets kept this book suspenseful. I had no clue that ending was coming and when it did it all made such perfect sense. One of my favorite reads of the year!

Amazing mystery! The twist is delicious and you won't see it coming until the very end of the novel...
Harriet Reed, mystery writer, is engaged to be married to Edward Holbeck, of the Holbeck dynasty. They're worth billions, but Harry couldn't care less. She loves Edward and he's not closely associated with his notorious family and has money of his own. Until they become engaged and Harry pushes to meet them and they become super-involved in her entire life. Especially, patriarch, Robert Holbeck who seems to be playing some sort of game with Harry. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, he hands Harry a tape with instructions to listen ALONE. Harry is caught in a game of cat-&-mouse. It seems Robert knows Harry and HER secrets. And she's going to have to do an unthinkable favor that only she can complete. The stakes are high and Harry is up to the task and willing to do anything to protect herself and her family.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-arc.*