Whilst the mystery of the missing boy wasn't as "thrillery" as I was expecting, Nicole highlights another horrifying plot, which is domestic violence in both adults and children. Told through multiple POV's, this was an intense and disturbing story that had a brilliant twist and a very satisfying ending.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

This is a domestic thriller. This covers some hard hitting topics including domestic abuse. It is a fast paced read. The characters were well developed but not all likeable

What a fab read! Absolutely loved this from the first page. Kept me hooked all the way through. Great storyline and strong characters.

Highly recommended

Thank you Netgalley

From the very first page, The Foster Family by Nicole Trope had me immediately hooked as a domestic thriller. I completed the book in a day because it was so engaging! I haven't read any book by this author before, but after this one, I'm sure I'll be picking up more of her books in the future.

The story is not appropriate for everyone due to its depiction of domestic violence and child abuse. While on holiday in a beachside town with his foster parents, Elizabeth and Howard, Joe, a foster child, disappears from the front yard of their holiday home. Gordon, the elderly man from across the road, is sensing that something is off with the family living there.

This book had two layers to it, told from multiple points of view. The domestic drama was heartbreaking, and I found myself invested in the well-written characters, particularly Joe and Gordon. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough because the thrilling element had me guessing the twists until the end!

Once again she’s smashed it, can’t fault Nicole in all she does, sheer brilliance and a masterful effort at a brilliant thriller. Relentless and chilling with a labyrinth of deception.

Domestic thriller full of dysfunction and domestic violence. Plowed through this as it is very plot driven. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing a digital ARC for review.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the thrilling read I was looking for. It was a thriller, but it was more focused on domestic violence than I had been anticipating, making it a difficult read. I felt frustrated and sad about how the biological relationship between mother and child was treated when the child has been removed from their mother’s care and what this means for the child’s future - it’s too hard to say what I want without giving spoilers but I found it somewhat insensitive and disheartening. I usually like this author so I’m sad to have to give this book this review.

I love a thriller, so I was excited for this one after reading the desritopn, and it did not disappoint.
The suspense built throughout the book, and there was so many unexpected twists and turns. Even after plenty of thriller novels, I could not have guessed the ending or many of the main plot points.
This is a must read if you’re looking for a thriller which will give you twists and turns you’re not expecting and will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Nicole Trope has easily climbed her way to the top and I am so honored to have been there since day one with, The Boy Under the Table, If you have not read this one yet, you must.

No matter the content or what idea Trope has concocted, she delivers. Time and time again, she comes out with another sensational 5 star read.

The Foster Family, is gripping!

This is the type of book you pick up and can never put down. Your bladder will be full, the dog will go unwalked, and your poor husband will go to bed hungry and that's ok! This book is totally worth it.

From start to finish I felt as though I was in a trance, I could not get to the next page fast enough. There was no lulls, there was no skipping ahead.. I read every last word and loved every minute of it

Here is a little teaser :

In their holiday home, a stone’s throw from the beach, Elizabeth dials the police with trembling hands. ‘My little boy, he’s missing.’

Elizabeth is Joe’s foster mother, but she loves him like her own. The five-year-old, who adores superheroes and watching the birds outside, is the child she has dreamed of. As she looks into the garden, where he was playing just moments ago, her heart feels like it has been ripped from her chest.

She was meant to save Joe from his birth mother who almost harmed his chances at life. The woman who has been trying to desperately get him back.

She was meant to protect Joe from her husband. The man who, right now, lies to the police, saying he was making breakfast when Joe disappeared. Who squeezes her shoulder, ordering her to be quiet.

She was meant to look after Joe. They are just footsteps from the ocean, and little Joe can’t swim.

Then Joe’s tiny blue sandal is found in the water. If the worst has happened – the unimaginable – Elizabeth will never forgive herself. Because what if the secret she has been keeping for years, the guilt eating her alive, has somehow hurt her little boy?

It’s time to tell the truth – even if it means losing the child who is her whole world. Even if it could be the death of her.

I could literally not put this one down! Nicole Trope is a extremely talented author. I was kept on my toes and guessing until the bombshell hit. Love love love!!

Complex story with many strands. Lots of twists and turns which will keep you guessing right to the end. Interesting well developed characters.

WOW what an ending. Had me at the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. Definitely full of suspense. I truly enjoyed reading this.

Another gripping psychological thriller from Nicole Trope which wholly deserves its’ 4 stars!

When Gordon sees that the holiday let across the street from him has been rented for a few weeks by a couple with a young son he is happy as it means when his granddaughter Del visits in a week’s time, she will have someone her own age to play with. Elizabeth and Howard Ealy are having a break from the city and hope to enjoy Gilmore with their young foster son Joe, and they love their rented holiday home. To Gordon, at first, the Ealy’s look like the perfect family and it is plainly obviously to him how much Elizabeth adores Joe, however he begins to witness things that aren’t quite right and starts to think that all is not right with the Ealy family and especially Howard, however as Gordon is forgetting things in his old age he constantly doubts himself and isn’t sure of what exactly he is seeing and finds it hard to make sense of it all. Then one morning soon after arriving, little Joe goes missing and a full-scale search is begun. Gordon is relieved when his adult son arrives to help with the search but what’s the truth with the Ealy family and will little Joe be found?!

I am never disappointed with Nicole Trope’s books, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with this one, just as tense and gripping as I expect from her. I instantly warmed to Gordon, and I thought the descriptions of his forgetfulness was really well written especially in his own words. I obviously hated Howard, horrible nasty piece of work but with Elizabeth I was torn….. I know I should have felt sorry for her, but I found it hard and found myself angry at her for bringing an already damaged little boy into a clearly broken and messed up marriage! I felt she was pretty selfish but after reading the authors letter, I did soften towards her, and I understand that until someone lives in that abused persons shoes it is very hard to understand why they choose to stay. So, thank you Nicole Trope for that end letter as it did help me to understand the character of Elizabeth better and judge her much less harshly. I really liked Ruby but guessed who she was wrongly so good job Nicole Trope and I did really like the ending even if I am still hoping that a certain two characters did get together in the end.

Overall another great book from Nicole Trope and I highly recommend it for any psychological thriller fans. I already have Nicole Trope’s next book on my tbr list, and I can’t wait to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Trope and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

A great read
Well written story
Will keep you turning the pages
Can’t wait for her next book
Thanks NetGalley

This book knows how to pull the emotional punches to keep you hooked in the book. Great insight into living with dementia as well. Great read

I found the characters in this story to be very relatable. The ending was satisfying and the pacing was fast and I loved it. Only character I couldnt connect to was Howard.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The Foster Family by Nicole Trope from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I have read many other books by Nicole Trope and loved them all so was excited to be granted permission to read this. Lots of twists and turns in this that will leave you holding your breath until the very last page. I thought I had it figured out a few different times but found out I was no where close to being right. I highly recommend that you do yourself a big favor and read this as soon as you can.

The Foster Family, by Nicole Trope, is one of my favorite books by her. I love psychology and love that Trope uses her experience in that field to tell a shocking, dramatic story. What I love most about The Foster Family is that I felt emotionally connected to the characters, and that the ending was unpredictable.

This is a fast paced thriller that also highlights some major themes and issues. Some scenes were brutal and uncomfortable to read.