I was very excited to read The Family Game. I enjoyed it very much. I felt like there were a few inconsistencies in some characters but not enough to ruin the book. There were twists and surprises. A good book.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book & I am leaving my honest review. Incredible thriller with some twists that were completely unexpected. This thriller strays from the “norm” which made it much more exciting to read in my opinion! Have already recommended it to others before I was even finished…yes it’s that good!!!

One thing I can start off by saying is this was a super entertaining read! Overall I would give this a solid 3.5 star rating.

This was a major slow burn- once I hit about 65% the action started, along with all my crazy theories. I was constantly guessing how it would end and what wild thing would happen next……because some wild stuff happened that I could have never seen coming.
The unexpected events made things really fun & unpredictable, keeping me on my toes!
Was the majority of this book unrealistic? Absolutely....but like I said before, it made for an entertaining read!

I overall enjoyed it, but itwas missing some things to make it great….the main thing being answers.
There were too many plot holes I couldn’t look past. I can’t go into too much detail without giving anything away, but I had so many questions when the book ended. I didn’t understand how certain things could have happened and why they kept happening.

So about the characters…this was a super bizarre family…I didn’t really love any of them (which is totally fine because I never expect to like most of the characters in thrillers). I didn’t know too much about them to really route for anyone to come out on top. I was constantly questioning their motives and confused by their actions. It also frustrated me that they weren’t really questioning anything that was going on.

I kept shaking my head at Harry for pretty much everything she did- like how it took her days and days to listen to the cassette tape that was loaded with shocking info.

I was close to guessing the final twist, but there were some things that went along with it that surprised me. Guessing the twist early doesn’t ever make me enjoy a book less, because I can pretty easily convince myself something different is going on.

I would say this is worth a read if you just want some pure fun and an unexpected ride!

A very fast paced read that kept me interested. The plot was a bit thin, but the reader is treated to a nicely fleshed out story. Lots of creepy things happening, possibly unreliable narrator, strange traditions. Perfect for a fall read.

This was my first Steadman novel, though some of her others have been on my TBR list for a while, and it did not disappoint! I was quickly sucked into the main character's life, as she is a novelist with ONE huge secret, who is about to marry into an extremely wealthy family with too many secrets to count. The pages flew by for me as I raced to discover more and more secrets, and then near the very end a giant bombshell of a twist, that I did not entirely see coming! This was a fun, twisty thriller, and I look forward to reading more by Steadman in the future!

The Family Game was propulsive and addicting. I could not put it down and was doing random chores just to keep listening to the audiobook, that's when I know it was a good book! I didn't read the synopsis before diving in so I had no idea what to expect. It started off as a love origin story and quickly changed pace to a pulse-pounding edge of your seat thriller. Harry was a strong willed character who has been through a lot in her life and is hiding a big secret. For the first part of the book, you are led to believe she did one thing but when you find out what she actually is hiding, you will be shocked. I sort of had an idea of what the big twist was going to be, but that didn't change the fact that the execution was addicting and thoroughly twisty. I got a copy of the audiobook from Penguin Random House. I highly recommend you listen to this because Catherine Steadman (the author) is the narrator and does a phenomenal job! Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a gifted advanced review copy of The Family Game!


See below for the Goodreads synopsis:

"Harry is a novelist on the brink of stardom; Edward, her husband-to-be, is seemingly perfect. In love and freshly engaged, their bliss is interrupted by the reemergence of the Holbecks, Edward's eminent family and the embodiment of American old money. For years, they've dominated headlines and pulled society's strings, and Edward left them all behind to forge his own path. But there are eyes and ears everywhere. It was only a matter of time before they were pulled back in . . .

After all, even though he's long severed ties with his family, Edward is set to inherit it all. Harriet is drawn to the glamour and sophistication of the Holbecks, who seem to welcome her with open arms, but everything changes when she meets Robert, the inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.

What is it about Harry that made him give her that tape? A thing that has the power to destroy everything? As she ramps up her quest for the truth, she must endure the Holbecks' savage Christmas traditions all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly."

Yes, the beginning of this page turner might remind you of a movie you've seen or a book you've read but keep going because it's totally different and well, really hard to review without spoilers. Harry, a novelist, upended her life and moved from the UK to the US for Edward, the man she loves. One problem- he's the scion of an unfathomably wealthy and powerful family that he's tried to distance himself from. And now she's pregnant and they're engaged, which means she's meeting them at Thanksgiving, and then participating in an unusual family game, then going to the family home for Christmas. Edward's sister and sister in laws seem ok but his father, oh his father. There are big secrets in this family and Edward's father spills them to Harry, whose rising concern is well done. This all comes to a climax that's over the top, for sure, but also a surprise. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. This is one to experience for yourself- and you'll gulp it down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish and it is my favorite one of Steadman’s to date. I LOVE rich family dramas, especially ones where outsiders are trying to fit in and boy did this one fit that bill perfectly. Harry is an author that is writing her next up and coming novel, and her fiancé Edward is the love of her life. He has removed himself from his difficult family, who is made up of American old money and all that comes with that. They reemerge into Harry and Edward’s lives, and all seems to go ok at first, I mean, all they have to do in order to move forward with a wedding is a simple meet and greet and then they can get back to normal…. Right? Right….

Harry is enthralled with this family and cannot understand why Edward thinks they are as difficult as he has told her, minus the fact that he is the eldest child and set to inherit it all one day. When Harriet meets Robert, the head of the family, he slips her a cassette tape that reveals a shocking confession and also sets the game in motion.

I’m telling you this was excellent, and although I did figure it out before the end it did not take anything away from this story at all. It was exceptionally enjoyable, messed up family and all. I loved the concept of the game, it was well executed, and listening to this on audio was a real treat. Catherine Steadman reads this herself and she is fantastic at it, I loved it so much this way and highly recommend the audio version it is so enjoyable, especially the ending. This was a fun, twisty ride and I could not get enough.

Thank you to PRH Audio, NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ALC and ARC to review.

The atmosphere and setting of this story was on point. I love books about wealthy dysfunctional families and this was one of the best I've read. The story follows such a family that play some interesting "games" when they get together. The reader follows Harry, who encounters her fiancé' Edward's family for the first time. The writing is very fluid and I found myself lost in the story immediately. I picked this book up after a several month long reading slump and this was the story that pulled me out of it. I did find the ending to be a bit strange and somewhat confusing but I loved the rest of the ride enough to overlook that. I highly recommend this one!

I received this book from the publisher to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such great thriller to read for the spooky season! The book started off pretty slow but really picked up in the second half. I would have loved if there was more “game” in the plot but overall it was a easy and fun thriller to read!


Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC - The Family Game is out 10/18/22!

The Family Game focuses on Harriet Reed, a British writer who becomes engaged to Edward Holbeck, the prodigal son of the old-money Holbeck family. Edward has been long estranged from his family, but upon their engagement, Harriet meets them and begins to sense they harbor dark secrets. When the patriarch provides her with a disturbing, mysterious item, Harriet is forced to reckon with their secrets while also fighting to protect her own dark history.

At first I was concerned the plot would be too similar to other books or movies released within the last few years, but I am happy to confirm it is wholly its own original story and does not feel too derivative. The story is pretty engaging, and you can definitely visualize some of the intense scenes (the Krampusnacht chapter was especially scary and suspenseful). However, I had a very hard time connecting with the main character and found many of her choices frustrating.

I anticipated the twist, but it made sense for the story so I was still fine with it. Overall I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it as a quick spooky, suspenseful read.

After checking out the plot and starting to read The Family Game, I immediately thought it was going to be something similar to the movie Ready or Not. The similarities between the book and movie really end with someone marrying into a rich family with disturbing secrets. In The Family Game, Harriet (Harry) is head over heels for Ed, who happens to be a member of one of the most powerful, influential, and richest families in the world. Ed's been estranged from his immediate family for some time, but feels he must make them aware of his engagement to Harry. His family appears to be thrilled by the news, and the timing couldn't be more perfect - it's the holiday season, so there are opportunities for family gatherings with Ed and his new fiancee. Harry discovers that Ed's family likes to play games... and I'm not talking Monopoly or Scrabble here. Some of their games are terrifying and cruel. Harry starts to dig into the family history and finds some disturbing things - things that lead to many questions without clear answers. Can Harry and Ed's relationship survive his family?

The Family Game is told from Harry's perspective, so the reader accompanies her through the introduction to Ed's family and their games. There were bits and pieces of secrets reveled along the way that led to the wild ending. This was a very entertaining read!

What did I just read?!?! A great thriller to read for the spooky season. It is set between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so would work during that time if you’d like something dark. I had mixed feelings about all the characters in the book including the main character Harry. If you’re don’t enjoy unlikable characters then this book wouldn’t be for you. Fans of family dramas would enjoy.

To be honest, none of Catherine Steadman's book have completely blown me out of the water, including The Family Game. That being said, I read every single one because they are the perfect palate cleanser between more heavy literary reads.

This was my first Steadman and I will most likely not seek out her future works. The plot of this book just did not work for me. I had a hard time believing any of the characters' actions or motivations. The ending takes a huge amount of suspension of disbelief. The writing itself left a lot to be desired.

Harry is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck and pregnant with his child. The Holbeck family is notorious for their old money, various estates and high society lifestyle. Harriet is nervous about meeting them - will she be good enough? She has some secrets in her past, etc. She is worried that they will not accept her or that she will not be good enough for them. Harry meets the Holbeck family at Thanksgiving and is looped in and invited to several other holiday gatherings for the family.

The Holbeck family is a gaming family. They have several games and traditions that they play and they are quite serious about them. Harry knows that she will partake in the family holiday games, but she does not realize quite how serious they are about these games. In turn, Harry learns that she will need to save herself, lest she become a casualty of the Holbeck family Christmas. She knows that she can save herself, its just not clear who or what she is saving herself from.

It took me a little bit to get into this book, about 20% in before I felt like I was really engaged. This is a rich people behaving badly scenario but the motives aren't exactly clear. Harry must figure it all out to survive. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would like to read more books by this author.

What did I just read?! Catherine Steadman did it again. Many are comparing this to "Ready or Not." The comparisons are fair in a way; there are some similar themes, but The Family Game differs in many ways. I especially loved the clever chapter titles. Also, Harry is a badass. Thanks for the advance review copy. This may be one of my favorite books of 2022.

I received a digital advance copy of The Family Game by Catherine Steadman via NetGalley. The Family Game is scheduled for release on October 18, 2022.

Harry (Harriet) is a novelist who seems to have everything she wants. Her first novel sold over a million copies, she is engaged to a man she loves, and they have a baby on the way. The only trouble is her fiance’s family. They are rich and powerful, with a set of strange traditions and secrets. As Harry is pulled further into their lives, her own secrets threaten to surface, putting her in danger of not surviving the games they play.

The first half of this novel is full of suspense and hints of danger as Harry meets the family she is joining. They all seem a bit off, and their traditions are mysterious and terrifying. Unfortunately, this does not hold up in the second half of the novel. In the later half of the novel, Harry spends most of her time alone, thinking about the family rather than interacting with them. As a result, the pace here feels very slow, and all sense of risk is lost. This made the climax of the story feel rushed, as we are suddenly dropped back into a dangerous situation without a build up to those very high stakes.

Harry’s extended time away from other characters also impacted my connection to the characters. As we aren’t seeing her interact with anyone (not even much with her fiance), it was hard to get a sense of who Harry or the other characters were. This made it difficult to connect with them, and care about their well-being in the final game. It also made some of their decisions and actions in the last part of the story feel random instead of grounded in the characters.

Overall, The Family Game starts off strong, but struggles to maintain the suspense through to the end.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman is a family drama that explores family secrets, power, and loyalty. Harry (Harriet) is a British author who is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck - all has been blissful in their courtship but now it’s time to meet the family. The Holbecks are one of wealthiest and most powerful families in the US - I was imagining a Succession type family. Right away things are a little off with the family - they quickly wield their power to get in front of Harriet’s schedule and trick her into attending family events that are not what they seem. Everything gets even more complicated with she meets Edwards father Robert - he slips her a tape which reveals a shocking confession and proves to Harry that they all know her better than she thought they did. What comes next is the game…

Overall, I thought the premise of this book was a lot more fun than the execution. The “game” was limited and I felt like some of the chapters inched by. I also wanted more from the characters - I felt like they had the capacity to be so interesting but ultimately felt fairly one dimensional on the page. This was a bit of a miss for me but I could see a lot of readers enjoying it. It was less of a thriller and more of a drama, in my opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC - The Family Game is out 10/18/22!

Although estranged from his family, Edward is first in line to inherit the family's wealth and assets. When his fiancé Hariet (Harry) asks to meet his family, he orchestrates a meeting, where Edward's father secretly slips a recorded message to Harry. When Harry listens to the shocking confession, she is stunned. Until she decides what to do with the knowledge, she needs to play the family's bizarre games...

Whoa what did I just read? If you like thrillers and are after something unique, this is one you'll have to add to your list. With lots of "oh my gosh" (possibly said in a more adult way!) moments and twists aplenty, I really enjoyed this one.