This thrilling suspense novel definitely had me on the edge of my seat! Every character had secrets revealed and twists that I never expected. It's a great read for Halloween and the holiday season for anyone looking for a real page turner.

I love Catherine Steadman and all of her novels, the Disappearing Act is still one of my favourites of all time but this is a close second. I have never read a thriller with this kind of plot which I adored - it really made it stand out from the rest because sometimes the thriller genre cause use a repetitive trope. Another think I loved about this book (and Catherine's other books) is that she doesn't use an unreliable narrator. I don't enjoy spending an entire novel questioning if the person I am on this journey with doesn't know what's actually happening. I like that the main character is sure and everything around us is crazy, it feels like a more authentic world to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5 stars

Here’s my one sentence summary of this book - It fell just short of amazing. The ending is where it all went wrong for me. The rest of the book was suspenseful, captivating, and just plain amazing. I started it last night and ignored my work most of the day to finish it (sorry, boss 😂). I had so many theories about what was happening, none coming close to being right. While I didn’t see the big twist coming, I wanted something more from the ending. What that “more” is, I can’t say. I just know it felt too easy and dissatisfying given the psychological rollercoaster the book takes you on. I’d still recommend it for thriller fans.

While the main character, Harriet, was a very likeable narrator -- and had her own secrets that kept the reader guessing -- I am afraid she was the only real plus to this novel..

The other characters in the book were unlikeable and not really believable. You didn't want them to win or be successful throughout the book. It was an unusual plot, unlike anything I've really read. But the entirety of the book did not suck me in or keep me engaged. The twist was unimaginative and didn't really even feel like a twist at all.

Overall, wouldn't recommend. Didn't hate it but didn't love it either.

#netgalley #randomhouse

I do not know where to start other than saying you must read this book. It was so creative and unlike anything else I have read. I have not one critique or criticism.

Here is what I loved:
1. I always love books about authors, and Harriet is brilliant in this book.
2. This family that Harriet is marrying into is indescribable - you have to read it to believe it.
3. Her future father-in-law and this audiotape are chef's kiss. (Super creative aspect that I loved)

The list could go on...

This was such a fun read! Perfect mix of thriller and drama. It was easy to quickly get wrapped up in the story and it had me wondering what would happen next. Not predictable like many other thrillers I’ve read recently! Highly recommend!

A woman without a family meets a man and they fall in love. He gives her a beautiful family ring and brings her home to meet his family. They like to play games.

You can't choose you family but you certainly can choose your inlaws, and Harriet (Harry) really should of thought twice before joining this one! What happens when you have too much money, too many secrets and more lies than you can count? Read this book and find out! Full of twists and turns you'll never see coming! I'll read anything by this author! This book was so fun with an explosively fantastic ending! Thank you!

ARC BOOK REVIEW // THE FAMILY GAME

3.5/5

Pub Date: October 18. 2022

“Games reveal our most base instinct; the instinct to survive. Under the mask of enjoyment, we reveal ourselves, we reveal how we play at life, our methods, how we navigate others’ strengths and weaknesses.”

Harriet “Harry” is on her way to become a New York Times Bestselling author – recently engaged to New York royalty, life could not be any sweeter for Harry.

Edward Holbeck comes from a family of old money, and they are no strangers to high society or the the headlines

Ed left all that in the past to forge his own path, but there are eyes and ears everywhere

Even though Ed has sevred ties with his family, he is set to inherit it all. Harriet is drawn to the glamour and sophication of the Holbeck’s, who seem to welcome her with open arms – but everything changes when Harry meets Ed’s father, Robert.

At their first encounter, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape – revealing a shocking confession which sets this inevitable game in motion.

Harry has no clue why Robert gave her the cassette – the messages could destory the entire Holbeck family. As she searches for answers, Harry must endure the Holbeck’s savage Christmas traditon, all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly.
____

This one was HIGHLY entertaining, but had some plot holes that left me confused! I buddy read this with @alialwaysreading – and we were left with many unanswered questions

There was not a single likable character in this one, and the “family game” was a VERY unorthodox and extremely unbelivable. I had issues with how the game was handled, and I didn’t like how this game involved children (not a spoiler, but no children were harmed during the game OR throughout the book)

The majority of the book was VERYYYYYY slow, but the last 30% was action packed – and had me so interested in how this game was going to end!

There also wasn’t enough depth to each character, and I feel like we only got to know them on the surface level. Also, there is a lot of members in the Holbeck family that did get confusing at times.

While I did think there were some major plot holes that ultimately made me rate this lower, it was still a really enjoyable read if you’re willing to slightly suspend your beliefs for the duration of this novel

SIMONE SAYS READ THIS IF YOU LIKE

Unlikable characters
Unconventional family games
Christmas in NYC

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Not all families celebrate holidays the same way. Harriett, or Harry, is nervous about meeting her fiancé’s family, but she is completely in love with Edward. When she receives a mysterious tape recording from Edward’s father, things become even more confusing. The family has a tradition of games for Halloween and Christmas, but these games seem sinister. And then….. yes, it is spooky, scary, confusing and riveting! Great suspenseful novel!

Synopsis: Imagine you’re engaged to the perfect man who is apart of a very elite family. He warns you that they’re a lot to handle and kinda crazy. You don’t realize how crazy they actually are until you’re in the middle of one of their family “games” that quickly turns deadly.

My Thoughts: This was phenomenal!!! First of all, I totally felt like I knew all the characters - the character development was so good. The MC was relatable and likable considering she had a big secret she was hiding. The TWISTS and TURNS were soooo good OMG! And everything was tied together so nicely at the end. Needless to say, I loved this one! It’s a BOTM selection for October and I highly suggest choosing it!!
Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Games take us as close as is acceptable to the strategies we use in life. Games reveal our most base instinct: the instinct to survive."

- Brief Synopsis -
The Family Game follows Harriet (Harry)--a British writer of thriller novels on the brink of huge success--who is engaged to be married into one of the wealthiest families in America. Even though her fiancee, Edward, has cut ties with his family, it was only a matter of time before being drawn back in, especially after the news of their recent engagement. After meeting his family, Harry is gifted by Edward's father a cassette tape that holds a shocking and disturbing confession. Upon listening to the tape, Harry learns that this tape was made specifically for her. Can Harry trust what she hears on this tape? In her search for answers, Harry is caught up in a game of cat-and-mouse, one that could be deadly.

- My thoughts -
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of The Family Game in exchange for my honest review!

From the very start of this book, I was drawn in. It begins with a scene from the ending and our MC is caught in a dangerous predicament that I couldn't help but be eager to discover how we wound up there. I was also intrigued by many of the characters. Every person is so questionable on whether they have pure intentions or ulterior motives. No one is completely trustworthy.

The recordings of the tape were bone chilling. After each section of the tape, I was mentally yelling at Harry to cut her losses and get the heck out of that family! I don't know how she could have listened to the tape and ever looked at Robert Holbeck in the eye again. With that being said, even though the confession on the tape was disturbing, Harry's relationship towards Robert, her soon-to-be Father In Law, was even more disturbing to me. I did not like it. I did not want it.

I thought this story had a strong start but mostly throughout the middle, I was a bit bored and didn't really care what was happening. The ending also escalated way too abruptly, in my opinion. There were also some things that just seemed way too unbelievable. Like the tape, for example. I don't understand why Harriet only listened to it in pieces rather than the whole thing and then dug for the truth. I understand from the perspective of using the tapes as a plot device, but from the perspective of a character who is listening to them, it just didn't add up.

Harry also has her own secrets she wants to keep hidden. I didn't like that she kept hinting at this "secret" but never saying what it was, and then by the time you learned her secret, it was slightly underwhelming.

I did think the clues leading to the truth behind the tape were subtly dropped and easy to overlook. However, if you do pick up on them, you'll probably figure out the ending pretty quickly.

Overall, I thought this was fairly enjoyable. If you enjoy thriller/mystery movies similar to Ready or Not or Knives Out, then this psychological thriller might be the book for you!

3.5/5 Stars

Ooh this was such a fun thriller!! I haven’t read one that I couldn’t put down in quite a while and this one I couldn’t get enough of.⁣
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I loved the movie « ready or not » and this certainly gave off those vibes!⁣
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Harriet is a British thriller author, an orphan, living in the US and completely adores her boyfriend Edward, who comes from an insanely wealthy family. Harriet has yet to meet the family, until now. ⁣
⁣
Everyone in the family is itching to get to know Harriet and the family loves playing games- mind games especially. They’re wealthy, manipulative and have a lot of people in their sockets and a lot of secrets to keep.⁣
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Soon we find out, Harriet also has a secret she’s keeping. As her life becomes a real life thriller novel, we learn more about Harriet’s past and her future husbands family and past and are taken on a wild ride. ⁣
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This was a gripping, cat and mouse game, fast paced, exciting, and definitely a group of some ruthless soon to be in laws. ⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book reminded me a lot of a movie commercial I saw years ago. I really enjoyed it, and it had me questioning every single character. I really liked the main character, Harry. I really loved Edward and was disappointed in him. I know that’s what made the book more interesting, but I wanted Harry and the baby to have their perfect ending. Which they kind of did, just without Edward.

This book is too much like a horror movie I have seen. It was fast paced and kept me turning the pages, but overall I didn’t like it.

this one was SO much fun, definitely my favorite from this author so far! I do feel like it’s a bit disjointed and I think this will be an issue for a lot of readers. we experience a few different ‘family games’ at different gatherings, and we get a mystery element in between her visits to these family events. I personally would’ve preferred if it revolved around a single game or there was one longer game at the end, but i still had a really good time with this and finished it in a day. it was never boring and had some good surprises in there.
the games take place over Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday gatherings so this would be a great holiday thriller read!

I really enjoyed The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.

The Family Game is a fast paced thriller about Harriet Reed, an author marrying into the famously wealthy Holbeck family. Harriet, and orphan, absolutely adores her fiance. Though he is astranged from his family, Harriet encourages him to get back in touch so she can get to know them and create a family of her own. However, as she meets them, Edward's family and their traditions seem incredibly strange. Furthermore, his father, Robert, is both incredibly terrifying and attractive to Harriet. As the Christmas holidays approach, Harriet and Edward are invited to spend time at the Holbeck's remote manor house and Harriet is unsure if she will literally survive her time there.

This book hooked me from the start. What is more intriguing than a main character with a sketchy past who has a rich family that is equally sketchy? The plot is fast moving with twists and turns throughout. Harriet is relateable and the Holbeck's are rich and entitled, but some of their antics also made me laugh. The plot was jusssst creepy enough that I could comfortably read it at night without getting super spooked, but it also makes you want to question your family! It was a great thriller and reminded me of the likes of Ruth Ware of Jennifer HIllier. An easy quick read for those of us who want a bit spooky excitement in our lives!

This book is awesome! The Holbeck family is incredibly twisted, and that's what makes this book so much fun to read. Harry (Harriet Reed) is a great character - full of strength and contradictions. I am not going to say much more for fear of ruining the plot. This is a MUST read for mystery/thriller lovers!

"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."

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

From the start of this book, I knew this book was made for me. It was full of mystery and twists and if you know me, that's what I love in a book and the more twists, the better. When you can guess from the start what, what the ending can be, what's the point and I believe that's what keeps many people from fully reading and loving a book. Let me just say, I didn't figure this one out until right before the big reveal.

Harry is a writer from England who grew up an orphan after a tragic accident. Harry has recently moved to New York to be with her boyfriend Edward, who has little to no relationship with his family. When they become engaged and his family would like to get to know their future daughter-in-law, Harry is faced with the reality that every family has secrets and that's no different for her either. Harry must play the family game to keep her secret a secret, but when the truth comes to light, there is no telling who will win the game.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free advanded readers copy of The Family Game in exchange for my honest opinion.

This one started off slow but picked up quickly. I found it compelling and exciting though a little rushed. I'd guessed the big twist long before, but the family "games" kept the reading interesting and moving forward. I read this in one sitting on an airplane and I was grateful to have the block of time to do so because I wouldn't have wanted to put it down. Definitely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!