I gave this one 3 stars on Goodreads. I was immediately drawn to this one because it reminds me of a horror movie called, Ready or Not, that I really liked. While this book isn't horror, the premises are similar enough and they both have the same kind of energy. Think of this books as a more grown up version of The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. If you liked that one, I think you will like this one. If you haven't read that one yet but are interested, check out my review here!

This book started off SO. SLOW. I don't like for my books to be overly drawn out but I don't like for their to be an instant pay-off either. I think I need a happy medium and this book was far past medium. I am glad that I didn't give up on this but it took so much willpower not to. By the 45% mark, I was seriously debating putting this one down. Luckily, it picked up after that. As I mentioned that I think the plot was great, but the overall execution was not my favorite. If the pacing was better, I think this would have been a more enjoyable read. The last quarter of this book was the best part. Things were happening, the story's pace was better, and I was invested in the story.

Overall, this wasn't the best but also wasn't the worst. As someone who loves a good board game/competition, I loved the idea of the book being centered around that. While I think the plot was there, I wasn't sold on this book mainly due to the execution. Due to the adult nature of the dialogue, language, and plot lines showcased in this book, I would suggest this book for readers 18+. Judging from the reviews, I may be in the minority with my thoughts. Just because a book 'wasn't for me' doesn't mean that it won't be for you! If the plot intrigues you, I would encourage you to give it a shot.

Unable to review at this time. Will review at a later date. I'm cleaning up my netgalley in order to review 2023 books. This book sounds delightful and will read once fully caught up on my account. Thank you for this opportunity! I look forward to reading this book!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this! This book , the twist, the psychological mind games. I loved every minute of it. This definitely reminds me of a movie that I saw. Let the games begin !

"The Family Game" by Catherine Steadman is a suspenseful thriller that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. The book revolves around a wealthy family with a lot of secrets, and the plot twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Steadman's writing is sharp and engaging, making it easy to get lost in the story. The book's pacing is excellent, and it's hard to put down once you start reading. The characters are well-drawn, and the author does an excellent job of slowly revealing their motivations and backstories.

The book's setting, which takes place in the lead-up to Christmas, adds an extra layer of tension to the story. Readers who enjoy holiday-themed books will find "The Family Game" to be an excellent choice.

Overall, "The Family Game" is a thrilling and captivating read that I would highly recommend to fans of the suspense and thriller genres. Catherine Steadman has done an excellent job with this book, and I look forward to reading more from her!

A clever and fast paced read by an author who had become an auto-read for me. The story moved quickly and the twists and turns kept me on my toes. Recommended!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. This was a fun read. It was very very similar to a movie I saw a year or so ago. So I actually had to look it up to see if the movie was based off this book and it wasn't ha. But the story was entertaining and I did find the audio version through my local library app so I read it that way.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman was a twisty, fun thriller and made me super happy not to be part of that family. LOL

The games that they play make this is worthwhile read! Recommend!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Catherine Steadman and have nothing but the best things to say about The Family Game! I love psychological thrillers with twisted plots, complicated characters, and endings I cannot predict, and this book is exactly that!! I cannot wait to see this book on all the best seller's lists!

What a twisted family! This book was full of mystery and deceit. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I had the characters figured out, I sailed through this book. I really loved the main character Harriet. She was very interesting and I like that she was an author. Do yourself a favor and read The Family Game by Catherine Steadman. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of "The Family Game" by Catherine Steadman. I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engaged and on edge from start to finish. I raced through the last 20% of the book and couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend!

This was a great family drama thriller mystery. Worth the time it took to read. Pleasant twists and turns. I really do enjoy most everything she writes.

I love rich people behaving badly in books and while I usually like that in a family drama, it’s delicious fun in a thriller. This was an engrossing read that I didn’t want to put down because as ridiculous as the Family Games are, they’re also really fun to read about. Definitely suspend your disbelief, don’t look for any kind of realistic reactions whatsoever, and enjoy the ride.

**3.5 stars**

Overall this book is worth a read, but the beginning seemed to drag a bit. For 3/4 of the book you are waiting for the climax, which to some readers might be the best part! There is a decent bit of mystery and psychological thriller aspects within this book, but I almost feel as though the first half could have been cut in half and had the same effect. I just found that even though information was being shared, I didn't feel any closer to 'figuring it out'.

The main character, Harry, is one a lot of readers can connect with, but she seems to have a past that can be held against her. And it just so happens her soon to be father-in-law is one of those people that will do so. Or so it seems.

If you are into psychological thrillers that are circled around an enormously rich family this is a great book for you. I would give it a 4, but I feel as though it might have been better if the family was not so insanely rich. It felt as though their money could tie up loose ends in the plot, but there was so much potential there!

The characters have just enough mystery to keep the reader guessing, and each chapter gives a tidbit more information, which makes you question who you can really trust. Definitely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

"THE RULES
1. Listen carefully
2. Do your research
3. Trust no one
4. Run for your life"

Harriet Reed meets Edward Holbeck, the son of an extremely wealthy and powerful man. Harry and Edward fall in love and are soon engaged. Now it's time for her to meet his family, whom she's desperate to impress.

But Edward's family seems unusual, and soon Harry finds herself in the middle of their family "games" - can she prove herself to be one of them?

Overall, I enjoyed this book! I thought that sometimes the pacing seemed slow, but it still kept my interest and I enjoyed the author's writing. It was a slow burn, but it was never boring to me.

I also enjoyed the ending and how everything was tied up. Definitely recommend it to suspense/thriller lovers! (:

Harriet aka Harry is with the love of her life, Edward Holbeck. Edward comes from an extremely rich and powerful family who live a very different life than Harry is used to. The couple gets invited to Thanksgiving at the Holbecks' and everything seems fine, until it isn't. After a shocking confession, the "family game" begins. Will Harry make it out of the festivities alive?

I thought this was a very well-written, original storyline from Steadman. I've read her others books and enjoy her way of telling a story. There were some twists that I didn't see coming, but I enjoyed them and how they fit into the storyline.

This book was INCREDIBLE! The premise sucked me in from the start, and then the execution was a 10/10. There were so many twists and turns, and what seemed clear cut was not that at all. It was suspenseful from start to finish and had an incredibly satisfying ending. It's not too creepy or spooky, but it is sinister and disturbing. One of the best thrillers I've read in a while!!

Want a good psychological suspense,/mystery? Look no further because this one is it! From the very first page to the last I LOVED this book. And what a unique story… Harriet Reed, a UK writer whose first book is #1 bestseller is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, an heir to an extremely wealthy and powerful American family. She moves to America to start a brand new life with her future husband and meet his estranged family. His family can be quite handful is an understatement, but all welcome Harriet into their fold. Fabulous characters and such a unique story with great character development. Good solid writing is something Catherine Steadman does with ease, and she never disappoints me, ever. I loved the book so much that I waited to read it until the audiobook was released so I could purchase the audible version and read and listen alternately. Catherine Steadman is an amazing narrator, and I’m so glad she narrates her own books. If you love a good psychological suspense then I highly recommend this book or audio book. You won’t be disappointed. A very special thank you Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine via NetGalley for the Advanced eReaders Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I very much enjoy Catherine Steadman's style. So many layers of mystery to peel back about those the main character thought she knew best. I have to admit that there were a few scenes that I had trouble reading in the dark during this one. Overall, a quick read but a slow burn at the same time!

Great novel with a very unique plot! It follows a new addition to a powerful family and an underlying game that will spill their secrets. My only complaint is so much action occurred in the very end and I wished they had started it sooner to be able to fully explore the fallout.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This was also granted me as a wish so I really appreciate that. This was overall fairly good I had a little hard time getting into it but I did like the story.