This book is an absolute must read! You will be hooked from the prologue and not be able to put this one down! It’s a dark and twisting story of power, family, secrets, and a “game.” Does Harriet have what it takes to play the game and become a part of this mysterious and wealthy family? Or will she die trying? If you are looking for you next favorite psychological thriller, look no further.


This review will be posted on Goodreads and Instagram @always_ebooking_it

Harriett aka Harry, a British author that has recently found love with Edward—dreamy, romantic, smart, rich, handsome Edward. It all seems perfect until Harry meets Edward’s family, the Holbecks.
After the opening chapter, it was a bit slow for me. However, I kept reading and when I say it picked up, I mean it REALLY picked up. I couldn’t put it down. I sat, unmoving except for the occasional shift, and consumed this book.
As Harriet is drawn into the Holbecks lavish world, they seem perfectly welcoming. And when Edward’s father hands Harriet a tape of a book he’s been working on, she is desperate to listen.
But as she presses play, it’s clear that this isn’t just a novel. It’s a confession.
A confession to a crime. A murder. And suddenly, the game is in motion.
Feeling isolated and confused, Harriet must work out if this is part of a plan to test her loyalty. Or something far darker. What is it that he sees in her? Why give her the power to destroy everything?
This might be a game to the Holbeck family—but losing games can still be deadly.
The last 25% of the book had me holding my breathe! Loved Something in the Water but this one is full throttle! Will be a great fall read when it debuts!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley Catherine Steadman and Ballantine Books for this edition and hearing my honest review

An interesting read, not an absolute favorite, was not an “I can’t put this down” but drawn in enough to finish. I’ll have to read more of this author. Thanks to the publisher and net galley for this ARC opportunity

If there is a perfect thriller, this might just be it! Harriet, a thriller writer herself, gets engaged to Edward. Edward is the oldest surviving son of a very famous and wealthy old family. Harriet has never met his family until now, as her and Edward have been overseas in London. Edward is very tentative about Harriet meeting his family as he has a strained relationship with them. Once Harriet meets Edwards family secrets come to light, including her own. But how far will one go for family? This book sucked me in and kept me entranced the whole way through. I have been a fan of Catherine Steadman’s and will will continue to be. This is probably her best work yet, and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with in the future!

I loved this story so much I couldn’t put it down. I was swept away into the seemingly glamorous life of the Holbeck family. The Krampus part had me entirely creeped out. This is a must read for any thriller fan. Knives Out meets American Psycho.

Thanks @netgalley & @randomhouse for providing me with a review copy!

This premise at first seemed very reminiscent of Ready or Not, which was one of my favorite movies of the last few years, but I did find that the book is very slow to start with and doesn't really begin to pick up until the halfway mark. There is a solid thriller built under all of this, but it is buried under some twists that don't quite feel fleshed out or explained enough.

I did love that Harry, the main character, has secrets of her own that she is hiding. She is in a morally grey area, and the meta bits in the book about how she would be perceived by an audience reading a thriller were one of the high points of the novel.

My main issue is that the family is built up to all be very intense and somewhat threatening, and yet, one member is meant to be the most threatening of all, but in the face of all that has come before it feels like a real letdown, especially given that there's no real answers for why these things happened. Also... the addition of Harry being attracted to her father-in-law was very questionable given that she is meant to have a very solid foundation with her fiancé and Robert doesn't seem to do anything that merits this weird flirtation that they strike up. It also makes it very strange how much Harry wants to be part of his family and be seen as both a daughter and as a romantic viability for him? It was uncomfortable.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured this book! Harriett, a British novelist, discovers what life is like on the other side when she becomes engaged to Edward, the eldest brother of the notoriously wealthy Holbeck family. Upon meeting the family, the wolf-like patriarch provides Harriett with a cassette, which sets an ominous game into motion. The premise reminded me of the movie Ready or Not, but the story actually unfolded more like an Agatha Christie novel with plenty of characters, puzzles to piece together, and red herrings spread throughout. I had so much fun untangling the Holbecks’ web of lies and discovering Harriett’s own secrets as well. Most of the story takes place before the main character, Harriett, even visits the mysterious and secluded Holbeck mansion. This portion of the book may feel slow to some readers but towards the end, the action picks up fast. I felt a little disoriented after finishing the book because the climax moved at such a rapid pace and took me by surprise. Even still, I enjoyed the ride so much that this book has earned its place as my favorite of Catherine Steadman’s works. Many thanks to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley!!

This was an easy read yet still a page-turner with a bit of a twist. The story centers on the protagonist, Harriet, and the inner conflicts she faces: her own past and the knowledge of murders committed by her future in-laws. It wasn't really relatable but not every novel needs to be.

The Family Game is a wild and suspenseful ride. The heroine is very likable, strong willed, and willing to do whatever it takes. I love books about big families that have secrets and how that can all turn in an instant. The ending of the book was so shocking and unpredictable that it has easily become one of my top reads of the year. I look forward to reading everything else that the author has written!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the ARC!

UGHHHH one of the best books of the year!! As soon as I finished it I wanted to read it again! This was my first Catherine Steadman and I can’t wait to get my hands on another one! The family is very reminiscent of the Kennedys. The twists in this book are fabulous! A must read if you like twisty family thrillers!! I’m looking forward to buying the hard copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wealthy family full of secrets, 🤫 a tape with a confession to multiple murders, and a deadly game of cat and mouse. 😱 This is what Harriet Reed signs herself up for when she agrees to marry Edward Holbeck, heir to the Holbeck fortune. 💍 Can Harriet get to the bottom of their “games” and does she even want to?

Y’all. I COULD NOT put this one down. It’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read recently and definitely my favorite thriller so far this Summer. 👏🏼 Even though I figured out the twist before it was revealed, I was still completely absorbed by this wealthy family and their exorbitant world. 🏰 Robert’s character was so intriguing to me as well as the relationships between the siblings. I’m really hoping it gets made into a movie so I can experience it for the “first time” all over again! All the stars!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

One of my favorite reads of the year! This twisty thriller with its puzzles and riddles had me hooked throughout the entire book. So far this is the best book from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This one was pretty twisty- some more obvious than others but still an enjoyable ride. You really do you fall in love with the main female character.s Solid four

5/5 Stars.
Family Games is set to release in November, and it couldn't have better timing! It's so atmospheric. It takes place in New York right at the start of the holiday season. I read this in June in 90 degree weather, yet felt myself constantly nostalgic for sweaters and hot beverages and Christmas lights. It will definitely be a fun and timely read in November!
British author Harriet Reed has moved to America to be with her fiancé, who happens to be from NYC's richest "old-money" family. Think the Vanderbilt's but still just as powerful and rich now as they were at the turn of the century.. Harriet, an orphan, is welcomed into the family with open arms. At first they seem perfect- warm and welcoming. But she comes to realize the family is a little... odd. From a hyper-realistic Krampusnacht celebration, to a high-stakes scavenger hunt, the family likes their games, and they have their own rules everyone must follow. Even more troubling is when Harriet begins to realize that certain women associated with the family have gone missing over the years. She knows something sinister is at play, but who can she trust? And how can she go against a family with seemingly limitless power? Especially when one of them knows a secret about her that she was hoping to keep buried.
This was a fun read! I'd already been familiar with Steadman from Mr. Nobody, and she has a great way of telling a story. The pacing, the mystery, the plot-- all of it was engaging and was just what you want from a thriller. I definitely recommend this as one to watch out for!

This was fast paced and so intense! It just never let up. The strengths and weaknesses of a family can be it’s undoing. So many layers of love and deception. Huge on the creep factor.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

If you are looking for an extremely suspenseful thriller, look no further! This was a new author to me, snd I will defintely be searching out more!

This book was awesome. The entire book I kept
thinking I knew what was going to happen
only to be thrown off. Totally loved this book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

The Rules:
1. Listen carefully
2. Do your research
3. Trust No one
4. Run for your life”
Harriet Reed is a novelist on the brink of breaking out and is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, heir to a wealthy and powerful family. On their first meeting Edward’s father hands Harry a tape of a book he claims to be writing, whether is fiction or not is up to Harry to decide. Are the games the Holbeck’s play for fun or something more sinister?
I have read all of Catherine Steadman’s previous novels and this is by far my favorite!! I thought Harry was a great female protagonist and was rooting for her, even though she wouldn’t listen to the whole tape at one time!!!! The game concept was so fun and different, especially Krampus!! This book was dark and twisty. It’s a great thriller and I think everyone should grab it when it comes out November 8.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC copy. I loved it.

This thriller took me by surprise! Perfect pacing, simple concept yet it had me wondering until the end. Highly recommend!

The moment I started this reading this book. I could not put it down. The author really makes you fall in love with the family and their question it. The suspense in this book had my heart racing and I needed to know what was happening.
There was a lot of “What the F***” moments in all good ways.
The ending 🤯🤯🤯
Loved this book and the cover is beautiful