I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. Finished it in two days! The character development was strong, and the premise was unique enough that it didn't feel like anything else I've read.

This book is a fun read! I have a hard time reading and had to finish this on audio but loved the audiobook! Great twists and turns Good pacing throughout the story.

Steadman does it again! The Family Game is unlike any thriller I have read before, and that's my go-to genre so I have read a LOT. I loved this one!

Wow this book had tons of great twists. The author does a good job at keeping you guessing throughout the novel. What an incredible ending to this thriller. This novel is the definition of a perfect winter thriller. So happy I gave this book a chance. Five stars all around.

This was an amazing and completely engaging. I was invested from the very first chapter. The characters were complex. The plot was original.

Fantastic, page - turner of a thriller. Wonderful characters, setting and suspense. I didn't see the twist coming till that last few paragraphs.

"We're going to survive this, you and I. They say you can't chose your family but they're wrong. You can. It just takes way more effort than most people are willing to put in."

The Rules are as follows:
1. Listen Carefully
2. Do you research
3. Trust no one
4. Run for you life

This was one of my favorite thrillers of the year !!! This book follows Harry, an author from the UK, who is newly engaged to Edward and in contract for a second novel.. things are really looking good for her. Since they are newly engaged, she has been invited to the family home for the holidays and this family is intense !! Coming from old money, they are very intimidating and overwhelming. But her love for Edward is worth it to her...

This book was sooo intense... family secrets, family traditions and family drama.... perfect. I loved the whole premise of an intense family game, especially from the POV of the "outsider" This book kind of reminded me of the movie "READY OR NOT" and I loved every minute of it !! Also the fact that it takes place over the winter holidays just added an extra element of insanity !! Highly Recommend !!

Harriet "Harry" is a best selling novelist who now has a deadline to produce a follow up best seller. Her fiancé Edward is from one of New York's wealthiest and most powerful families. The thing is, although he's been estranged from his family for quite some time, he is set to inherit all of his family's fortune. Harry convinces Edward to reconcile with his family and that is when the game begins.

Honestly, this one starts out quite slow but the pace definitely picks up. Edward's father, Robert, gives Harry a cassette tape during their first meeting and this tape reveals a confession. Here is where I struggled a bit because Harry listened to it in bits and pieces. Seriously, knowing what it contained, who wouldn't have listened to the tape in one go? My answer is no one.

<b>The Family Game</b> is a psychological thriller with lots of family drama. And while the story is definitely OTT, it is also entertaining and had me wanting to know the outcome. This is my first Catherine Steadman book, but this has piqued my interest to check out her previous work. 3.5 stars rounding up for the entertainment factor.

This book was a great twisty ride all of the way through. I could not predict what was going to happen next, and you didn't know who you should or should not root for. An incredibly wealthy family plays games that are over the top, because why not? They have the money for it. Harriet is finally meeting her fiances family, after Edward has distanced himself from his family for a long time. And Edward's family sure has secrets, but Harriet does as well. And the question is who's secret is going to come out?

Steadman’s latest thriller centers around Harriet—an author who recently moved from London to New York—now engaged to the man of her dreams—Ed Holbeck. It’s time for Harriet “Harry” to meet the very wealthy and influential family Ed has distanced himself from.

The book title is very fitting. The Holbeck family loves games. Very dark and creepy games, even around the holidays. The first time Harriet meets the family is Thanksgiving. After dinner, Ed’s father invites Harry into his study for a private chat. Harry finds herself strangely attracted to Robert Holbeck—an older just as charming version of Ed. Her thoughts are a bit odd. Before they return to the others, he gives her a micro-cassette, stating it’s a book he’s dabbling with. And the games begin!

Harry begins listening to the tape and finds something more interesting than what Robert promised. Is this a threat? A strange welcome into the family? Now that she knows more about the Holbecks, she’s not sure she wants to be part of the family. Is it too late?

Sincere thanks to the Ballantine Books for granting my wish for this gifted ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you to Catherine Steadman, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of a digital advanced reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review!

DNF at 52 percent.

The book premise caught my attention right away and instantly added this book to my TBR. I went in blind to reading this book and at the 50 percent mark, I couldn't go any further. Not that all books should be realistic, but the storyline absolutely derailed after the cat and mouse chase begun. It almost felt like I was reading a fantasy novel and the thriller genre was a stretch. It was just bad overall. I'm not in any rush to begin reading any other novels by this author.

I really really enjoyed this book!! I couldn't put it down once I picked it up. The mystery of the whole rich family had me sucked in and didn't let me go till the end. I thought it was twisty, and I love the cinematic way Catherine Steadman writes! It's just so good! Definitely will be picking up more from this author (I LOVED the Disappearing Act)!

OMG what an edge of your seat ride.

Harriet is a writer and has published her novel. She’s engaged to a wealthy man and it seems all her dreams are coming true. She’s an orphan and he’’s her prince. You know the drill…. But this one is so good. She has everything she’s ever wanted. Until she doesn’t.

The only way I can describe this without giving some things away is to say.. GRAB IT AND READ IT! I promise you won’t be sorry. It’s one that will keep you on edge and turning the pages until the very ending.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Highly entertaining and compelling. I didn’t know where things were going and really enjoyed the ride. The plot is unpredictable in a good way and the ending is very satisfying.

Harriet Reed has a deep dark secret that she has carried with her for many years. This secret has remained buried and she plans to keep it that way. Enter Edward whom she meets one night out with her publisher. Edward comes from a well known prominent family. Harry always wanting a family of her own is excited when his family welcomes her with open arms. His father, Richard, however, is always watching out for their family and pulls Harriet aside the first night they meet. He gives her a tape to listen to. What is on that tape makes Harriet wonder just what type of family she is getting in to…. After listening to the tape and navigating her way through the Family Games that are played, Harriet knows that this family has a deep dark secret and they about to expose hers. Definitely a great read. I enjoyed it. Thank you to #Ballentine books for the ARC#TheFamilyGame.

As I read this one, all I could think is I would be running from this family. They have some creepy games. I have always read how insufferable inlaws can be, but this is one dysfunctional family. The author can be hit or miss for me, but this one was definitely a hit. It is a dark twisted read, where nothing is really as it seems. I’m going to be sparse on the details so as to not reveal something that might spoil your read.

I can say I liked Harry and loved her trying to finish her book. There is a little bit of dark humor in this one and I really liked that too. I’m such a fan of adding the right dark humor into a thriller. The tension and pace builds as you read until it is off the charts, so hold on for the bumpy rise.

This may be my favorite book of the authors and I recommend it.

This was very repetitive and I enjoyed the ending but felt that the writing could’ve been cleaned up. This was thrilling, heart throbbing and the people are insane so for the most part it was an enjoyable read.

This was my first novel by Catherine Steadman but it will not be my last! I loved the mystery of this book and the family. It was a little creepy but I enjoyed it. The plot twist at the end surprised me as well! I would definitely recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I was happily surprised that the “The Family Game” was set around Christmastime. However, I think that this book is as a “Christmas book” as much as “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, which in my opinion is, not at all!

Overall, I throughly enjoyed The Family Game by Catherine Steadman. I like main character and her fiancés wealthy, interesting family. I would recommend this wintery read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for my digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman is a truly captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This thrilling novel is a masterful combination of mystery, suspense, and psychological drama that will leave you enthralled and guessing until the very end.

Catherine Steadman is a talented writer who has crafted a compelling narrative that is both thought-provoking and suspenseful. The Family Game is a story about a wealthy family who is torn apart by secrets, lies, and deceit. The characters are complex and well-developed, and each one is woven seamlessly into the plot, making it impossible to put the book down.

The tension builds slowly but surely, keeping you engaged and invested in the story until the very end. The twists and turns will have you gasping in surprise, and the shocking reveals will leave you breathless. The writing style is smooth and engaging, and the descriptions are vivid and evocative, bringing the story to life in your imagination.

Overall, The Family Game is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who loves a good mystery. It's a fast-paced and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you questioning what you thought you knew right up until the final page. If you're looking for a page-turner that will keep you captivated and entertained, then this is the book for you.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending a Digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.