The Family Game was my first novel by Catherine Steadman, and I have been sleeping on this author! The descriptions game me vibes of the horro movies Ready or Not, and in some ways that impression is accurate. Fast-paced and un-put-downable, I flew through this clever mystery and highly recommend.

I enjoyed this new thriller/mystery by Catherine Steadman. Harry is marrying into an exceptionally rich and well connected family with many secrets. But Harry has a secret of her own. I read this book very quickly because I wanted to know what happened next. I didn't guess where it was going, but I thought the ending was wrapped up a little too neatly.

I couldn’t get enough of this twisted thriller. It captured me from the first chapter. And a major twist at the end! (I wonder if I can describe it anymore by using the word “twist” 😂). This story starts with a thriving author named Harry who fell in love with a man who comes from a lot of money. After a year of being together he proposes and shortly after they find out she is pregnant. When the introduction to the family begins, that truly is when the story takes off. All I have to say is talk about one twisted family and their games.

Another great thriller by Catherine Steadman. Great character building, quick chapters, suspenseful, creepy, twisted and thrilling. A solid 5 ⭐️ read!

Loved this book!! It’s the first I’ve read by this author and now I have to read the others! It has a very Ready Or Not movie vibe to it. So if you liked the premise of that movie, you’ll love the book. I gave it 4/5 stars because the middle was just a teeny bit slow for a few chapters but then picked back up. The characters: you’ll love some and love to hate some. Overall, a quick read with short chapters. That’s always a plus!!

I received this book as an ARC from netgalley. This book is good! Captivating, it keeps you guessing until the end. 4 stars! I thought the build-up was a little slow, which caused the end where the action happened to feel a bit rushed. I wish that the main character, Harriet's, back story had been delved into quite a bit more, as I felt that I left the story with some unanswered questions about her. In my opinion, they build a lot of the story based on who Harry is and what she's done, but then that is never explicitly gone into. Overall it is a good thriller with a good twist towards the end, but still leaves you wanting in a few spots. Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for my copy! Review also posted to goodreads!

This book gave a whole new meaning to meeting the parents. Harry has been dating a rich guy and plans to build a life with him. They have been very sheltered in their relationship and she has no idea what to expect other than that they are extremely wealthy. Each family get together becomes more adventurous as boundaries are tested and loyalty is questioned. I haven't heard or seen a cassette player in quite some time yet it worked so seamlessly here as a plot device. I have read everything that this author has written and definitely feel that the talent is there and I loved the level of creativity and suspense with this one. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Wow! I loved the disappearing act by Catherine Steadman so was thrilled to receive an ARC of her latest. I could not put this down. The family is fictional - but it’s obviously based on the “gilded age” tycoon families (Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, etc) and their descendants. I had doubts mid-read but then it redeemed itself and I couldn’t stop reading until I knew what was going to happen. I could see this being a book of the month choice. It was fabulous!

Catherine Steadman's newest novel The Family Game is a five-star thriller that will have you holding your breath and biting your nails right up until the very last chapter.

Harriet is a newly successful author from England who has found the love of her life in New York City. Edward is from one of the wealthiest families in the world but he operates his own business and has separated himself from the family money and, seemingly, the drama that goes with it. Despite his warnings, Harriet finds herself becoming enmeshed in the family's disturbing rituals that mark every holiday. As these celebrations become more and more challenging and brutal, Harriet is faced with some of her own secrets as well as the well hidden truths about Edward's dysfunctional family.

Okay so I DEVOURED this thriller!

Harriet is newly betrothed to Edward, heir to an immense old-world American fortune. She’s not met his family yet, due mostly to Ed’s fears that their intensity will scare her off. The story centers around their first few interactions as an entire family, and all the weirdness that goes on as Harry is introduced to their eccentric and twisted “games.”

I stayed up late to finish this one because I was hooked! It’s well-written, solidly constructed, and told entirely from Harry’s perspective. The chapters are short and the pace relatively fast. I couldn’t put it down after the halfway mark. The only negative thing I can say is that I was able to predict the main twist from very early on in the book. This didn’t really ruin the ride for me though, so I don’t mind overly much. Highly recommend this one!

Thank you to Catherine Steadman, Ballantine, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

This is a story of a crazy, super wealthy family with extremely odd traditions and games to celebrate the holidays. The main character who marries into this family is a wonderful person to follow through the story and her development as she learns more about the family is really well done. But this book seems to go from mystery, to horror, to something in between, it seemed like the author wasn’t even sure of the direction it was going in. Definitely an intense book overall. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harriet is excited about the next chapter in her life. She is engaged to Edward and is excited about meeting his very rich family. Harriet is about to take part in something where she doesn't know who she can trust. This book captured my attention from the very first page.

Wow, this book was amazing! I am speechless. Very unique story that is twisted and keeps you guessing until the very end. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. So good! Thank you so much for my copy Netgalley!

ARC BOOK REVIEW
The Family Game
By Catherine Steadman

PUBLISHING DATE: 11/8/2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Harriet is engaged to Edward and has finally found her prince charming.  Edward is a member of a very wealthy, old money family, who is very powerful in the business world.  Since the couple has became officially engaged, it's time for Harry to be introduced to the rest of the family.  However, when meeting her future father in law, he gives her a recording that contains a very shocking confession.  Harriet then realizes that Edwards father and herself, may have more in common than she first thought, but why is he  providing her with this information?  Everything comes to the surface while participating in a family " game" on Christmas, but Is playing this game worth the risk? And why is her father in law giving her such power?

I was so excited to read this after seeing other reviews. But it seems I was unfortunatley in the minority with this one. Most people found it very fast paced, but I found it slow. I was  left with  unanswered questions. I felt like I was given unnecessary information and I  never felt " sucked in."  The last 15% was the most action packed but it was wrapped up so quickly.

I did really like the ending though. I was intially set on a 2 star review but the ending was a nice twist I didnt expect, which bumped it up to 3.  I just felt like it took a long time to get there!

(also, why are other family members, okay with dangerous family games?)

Thank you to #netgalley  and #randomhouse for this arc! I love getting to review books before they are published, even if its not something I end up loving!
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Everything is going well for Harriet. She has a best-selling novel and is engaged to a man from a wealthy, prominent family. He is estranged from them but upon their engagement the family wants to meet Harriet and the patriarch gives Harriet a shocking tape. The twisted, crazy, Christmas holiday games begin! This was so much fun and I couldn't put it down.

Hooray Catherine Steadman for another page turning thriller featuring an intelligent, strong and interesting woman as the protagonist. "Something in the Water," is one of my favorite thrill reads and "The Family Game" is a close second. Great writing style, authentic characters and suspense and twists, I could not put this book down. The plot was filled with surprises that come at a furious pace. I did not see the ending coming at all.
For Edward and Harriet (Harry), happy, in love and pregnant, it's time to meet Edward's mega wealthy and powerful family. Let the games begin. Harry finds being a member of this family may be a bit more than she expected. Five big stars for The Family Game and thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Well well well…. She does it again folks. First I would like to say this would be a fabulous Netflix movie!

This was an interesting one that I truly did not figure out until the very end. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers, I always enjoy the good old fashioned cat and mouse game and a strong female lead.

For me, this one was a slower burn. The end wrapped up a little too quick for me. I would have enjoyed a little bit more of the entire ending play out in more detail like the beginning but, definitely add to your TBR.

Harriet "Harry," an up and coming author becomes engaged to Edward, but of course there is a catch. She has never met his family: The Holbecks.

The Holbecks are happy to include Harry in their fold, as it will give them a chance no reconnect with their son. However, the Holbecks have an interesting concept of family get togethers and many secrets, it appears, Robert Holdback is ready to share.

This was one of this thrilling reads that you didn't know where it was going to end up, and the ending did just that. Definitely something different than I normally read, but glad that I did.

This book was such a fun read! I was instantly hooked in by the premise: a woman gets engaged to the man of her dreams and is meeting his family for the first time, and joins in our their family traditions. I love everything about the idea of a rich and eccentric family holding secrets (But also doesn't everyone love that?)

This book is fast paced, and it keeps you engaged the entire way through. The story is told from the perspective of Harriet, i.e. Harry, who is an author of thriller novels herself. Stuck in a writer's block and feeling the nerves as she meets her fiance's family for the first time over the holidays, she is thrilled when her father in law gives her a story she cannot put down. She is simultaneously juggling what she has learned from her father in law and also navigating family dynamics as she tries to fit into the uber wealthy family she is marrying into.

Truthfully, I found the ending a little bit obvious. To me the ultimate bad guy was obvious about halfway through the book. Did that stop me from loving every minute of reading it? No, absolutely not. I wanted to know how we were going to get to that part. It was so well written and such a thrilling read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Harriet Reed, a writer, is engaged to Edward Holbeck. Engaged and living together, Harriet finally meets his super wealthy family. Edward's father gives Harry a tape of a book that ends up being a confession to murder. As Harry unravels the mysteries of the Holbeck family, she wonders what family she is marrying into.

I kept thinking of the fun horror film Ready or Not. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Family Game.

Loved it! I read this book in one sitting- couldn’t put it down!

The storyline, while not necessarily relatable, was addicting. I spent the first half DYING to hear what was on the tape (no spoilers!) and once I figured it out I was so engrossed I couldn’t stop until I knew the ending. The main character Harry was relatable and also frustrating at times, which made me ultimately like the book even more. The games with the family were bizarre but at the same time I couldn’t stop reading before finding out how they ended.

My only complaint is at the end, Harry seems to figure everything out quite quickly. I wish it would have taken her more than a couple pages to see what was really going on - but it was so fun and exciting to read I ultimately didn’t mind the quick twists and turns at the end.

Such a fun read. Highly recommend this enjoyable book! I want to read again. 5/5

A huge thank you to Random House for the ARC from NetGalley - most fun book I’ve read in a while. Happy to leave my honest review!