I've never read anything by this author before but wanted a thriller and this seemed perfect.
This book was simple but effective. I wouldn't call it original but it was definitely a page turner.
I liked the characters. They were believable and real.
I didn't like that I felt there were some parts that would have made great twists but ended up being missed opportunities.
Overall a good read and one I'd recommend to a friend.
Looking forward to what this author comes out with next.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of Nicole Trope and rate her as one of my favourite authors.

This book like the rest did not disappoint. The Foster Family lived up to my expectations, full of twists, turns and intrigue. Another winner from a top class author.

⚠️ TW: Child abuse, violence, emotional trauma, aged abuse, domestic abuse

🔸 Elizabeth & Howard Ealy have taken in their shelter 5 year old Joe and are serving as his foster parents. They are yearning to adopt a child since decades and Joe seems to be the perfect choice. However, what seems to be a perfect family to the world from outside is not what Ealy’s really are. There is a lot that they are hiding. Until one day when they move out to Gilmore beach for staycation and meet Gordon, the neighbor who stays opposite their rented house. Gordon is a very curious octogenarian who is worried about Joe’s safety after having 1 or 2 passing visits from Ealy’s. He is in a dilemma and calls police to share his concern. But police dismiss it off soon, knowing that Gordon has memory lapses and is not coherent. Amidst this Joe goes missing one fine morning. Will Gordon be able to unearth the truth? What is it that Ealy’s are hiding? How will Gordon who is 80 years old help a 5 yo Joe? All of this mystery unfolds when you read The Foster Family.

💖 This is a fast paced mystery that had its thrill moments. Since I love multiple POVs, the format worked best for me since the same timeline is narrated from Elizabeth and then Gordon’s POV. It is very easy to gel into the story from beginning itself and understand what is going on. There is also a parallel story that goes on with the main storyline and eventually fuses into it at the end which worked wonders to the wholesomeness of the book. While it was a tensed & emotional read, I learnt a bit about how foster case system works.

💔 This book is not for weak hearted and do read the trigger warnings before you pick it up. It was not easy to go through the child abuse bits since there it was quite gut wrenching to read it.

💫 The premise of the story is very simple and singular. It’s the execution of the scenes and emotions which play a huge part in the book. If you are ready to pick up a tensed emotional fast paced read, you would enjoy this.

Thank you @bookouture @netgalley for sharing the eARC in exchange of honest review.

Well Nicole has done it yet again, she has provided us with another outstanding brilliant and gripping read.

I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I loved getting to know all of the characters and trying to suss them all out. One character I didn't like from the get go, being Howard, but I think that is the authors intention to be fair. Anyhow it was a truly gripping and entertaining read from start to finish.

I've said it before but I'm going to say it again, Nicole has such a way with words that she just draws you in right from the beginning, keeps you enthralled throughout and leaves you with bated breath right to the very end. Which is exactly what she did with this latest book of hers.

So if you are looking for a book that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in eager anticipation as to what will happen and be completely captivated throughout, then you really need to read this book.

Nicole Trope is back with another fine thriller! The Foster Family is a fast and interesting read, touching on many difficult topics including physical and psychological abuse, domestic violence, dementia, and the love of family, blood and chosen. There were parts of the story that stretched my tolerance for both foster parents but this book presents domestic violence in a realistic way. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I loved the ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Foster Family by Nicole Trope is a psych thriller that gets the reader in the feels, allowing for some real emotion to be felt.
Although I can detach and remove myself from just about anything I read, I feel it is only fair to say that this one involves foster care (duh) and some of the horrors that could go along with it.
To be honest, the scenes dealing with dementia were harder for me. I suppose it all depends on where your personal experiences lie in relation to the story.
At any rate, the author handles all of it with realism but sensitively. It never felt like either aspect was just a plot point. Everything fit naturally into the story.
I did like how the author added an aspect that I was thoroughly not expecting. Sometimes a psych thriller will have a gotcha moment, but this one was much more than the usual ploy.
I thoroughly enjoyed that I did not connect the dots until the author revealed a surprise – in fact, I thought the author was going in a completely different direction.
One of the things that I got the most from this book was how much a little bit of compassion can go a long way. Whether it was Malcolm for his dad, Gordon, Gordon for Elizabeth, or Elizabeth for Joe…the author did a superb job of highlighting the importance of human connections.
We’re not going to include Howard in any of that. He is evil to the core – but that’s pretty obvious from the beginning. The only question for the first part of the book (for me) was whether or not Elizabeth was a reliable narrator).
Her situation and the reason for her actions became apparent pretty quickly.
The only thing that I didn’t exactly get was the psych thriller aspect. It almost felt more like a family drama/thriller rather than something with a psychological twist to it. But that’s a minor point.
Nicole Trope has used potentially sad or troubling aspects of life to illustrate how much difference a person can make. And for that reason, The Foster Family is a unique psych thriller.

A young child is missing although foster parents account differs. A teenage girl found by a stranger , brutally beaten but terrified to seek help. An old man suffering signs of dementia but who will believe his account of what is frightening him. A five star read of control, fear and abuse where appealing to the authorities is not straightforward and the nail biting conclusion is unbearably heartbreaking. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I see a lot of recommendations for Nicole Trope's thrillers, so was excited for this one.
This is a fast paced thriller which also highlights some major themes and issues. Some scenes were brutal to read, and made for very uncomfortable reading.
The setup of the book took a little adjustment, with the different POVs, but the timeline is easy to follow.
I was frustrated with Howard- what a horrible character. My anger towards him just adds further weight to Trope's writing skills.
An enjoyable first outing with this author and I look forward to the next.

The Foster Family by Nicole Trope is a wonderful psychological thriller by an amazing author. I cannot wait to read more books by Nicole Trope. Elizabeth and Howard are fostering a 5 year old boy, Joseph as they have been unable to conceive a child on their own. Elizabeth, Howard, and Joe embark on a vacation at the beach when the unthinkable occurs, Joe disappears. One minute, Joe is playing in the yard, and the next minute, he is gone. Once the police become involved in this situation, everyone is a suspect. Are Elizabeth and Howard as loving toward Joe as they indicate to the police? Gordon, the neighbor across the street has some insight, but can he be believed as he is experiencing some effects of dementia? I couldn’t put this book down! It had suspense, well developed characters, and twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I highly recommend this book and author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love this authors books so was excited to read this one and it certainly didn't disappoint. This is a wonderful although heartbreaking read that I devoured in two sittings as I was glued to the pages. Definitely recommend.

Now this is a read I think you will fancy.
The Foster Family is a story that will capture your attention, your heart and pull at all those strings.
We meet Elizabeth, her husband Howard and their little boy Joe whom they are fostering.
Immediately into the story you get the sense that all is not right in this family.
Elizabeth seems afraid, Joe looks to her for reassurance and comfort while Howard relishes his control over his family.
I adored the authors inclusion of the neighbour Gordon to the story. Struggling with his own health, he must try put aside his fragility to help those in need.
He is so unsure in his life and I felt so incredibly sad for him.
When Joe goes missing one day, Elizabeth must hold on to all she believes true and Gordon must try his hardest to remember.
If I'm honest I couldn't leave this story aside. I felt desperate to read to the end to see the outcome hoping for a good one but fearing the worst. My heart hurt throughout....
A mighty read that I think you will love...
Worth your time...

I've recently enjoyed reading several of Trope's books and was itching to dive into this one...

When young Joe goes missing on the family holiday will the secrets his mother Elizabeth has been hiding come to light or will she remain silent for fear of what husband Howard will do to her? The Ealy's were an odd pair, Elizabeth only wanted the best for her son and her husband Howard was just an instantly dislikable man, on so many different levels.

A compelling domestic suspense, told in multiple timelines by various people.

Many thanks to Bookouture for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have read several other books by this author, Nicole Trope and so I was delighted to be able to enjoy The Foster Family. Elizabeth and her husband of twenty years, Howard are not able to have children of their own and decide to become foster parents in the hope that they will go on to adopt a child. They foster 5yo Joe. They all go to the seaside, Gilmore for a holiday for a month. Gordon, who lost his wife two years ago lives across the road from the holiday let. An absorbing, heartbreaking read with good misdirection.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

First, I want to thank Nicole Trope, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

WOW!! Nicole Trope is back with another thrilling read in The Foster Family! She not only pulled on my heart strings but had me fuming mad at some of the characters. YES! I was yelling at my Kindle!!

Immediately the prologue intrigued me and pulled on my heart strings being a fly on the wall listening into the phone call. However, on the same token something seemed off.

Fans of all things bird related will enjoy a portion of this story.

Joe’s Foster Dad Howard rubbed me the wrong way big time and didn’t care for him at all…however Elizabeth was a different story.

My heart hurt from learning about Joe’s past with his biological Mom! Nobody should treat their child like that! I didn’t blame Elizabeth for hating Jenny.

The Foster Family is full of secrets, suspense, twists and turns, and shocking moments!

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.

What a gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

This is a heartbreaking book about a little boy, Joe, who just wants to be loved and a husband and wife who want a family. At least one of them does. When Joe goes missing a frantic search starts and we learn more about Joe’s life.

This story is told from the present, the day Joe goes missing, and the past. It’s also told from multiple POV. It is masterfully written to keep you engaged throughout the entire story. The family dynamics are very interesting and important to this story. While the story made me sad it also made me happy to remember there are helpers out there.

Nicole Trope has done it again! I love her books and am always excited when she has another coming out. Each story is emotive and filled with tension, drama and even a little bit of mystery and THE FOSTER FAMILY is no different. She has the innate ability to draw you in from the very first page and keep you invested throughout the journey. And it is a journey she takes you on. Her skillful prose and the way in which she entwines the past and present into one can only speak of her proficiency in both her writing and the genre with which she floods. She can always be relied upon to spin us a tale of intrigue and tension that will get under your skin.

On the beautiful south coast, a couple of hours from Sydney, Elizabeth, husband Howard and their 5 year old foster son Joe arrive at their holiday home for the next month leading up to Christmas. The weather is warm, the sun hot and the sandy beach offers plenty of recreational enjoyment for the family. Elizabeth wants nothing more than to give Joe all that his heart desires but Howard rules the home with an iron fist - both figuratively and literally. He has a list of rules that are far too many for such a young child and yet there will be consequences should Joe fail to follow them.

Across the road, watching from his window is 80 year old Gordon. He enjoyed the idea of a young family on the quiet street again and is eager to introduce himself. But something stops him. A cross word, a frowned expression and a pointed finger that was oblivious to his watchful eye and Gordon realises that all is not as it seems. What should he do?

One morning he goes out to fill his bird feeder when he sees little Joe laying on the bench outside with a blanket over him. It might be summer but the mornings can still be chilly on the coast. So why would a child be sleeping outside when he should be safely tucked up in bed?

The more Gordon watches, the more he realises that something is amiss with the family across the street. But when he phones his son Malcolm and shares his concerns, he tells him to keep out of it. But Gordon isn't so sure.

And then one morning as he returns from his walk, he is shocked to find police cars outside the house. It seems Joe has gone missing. And Gordon can't help but think if only he had called the police and shared his concerns earlier, maybe he could have prevented this from happening. But he isn't sure himself of what he saw in the fogginess his deteriorating mind has become.

Across the street, Elizabeth is frantic and Howard is angry. He has pointed the finger at "the old guy across the street" accusing him of showing a perverted interest in Joe. But Elizabeth knows that not to be true. He is just a nice old guy that is a bit forgetful sharing his love of birds. But can she speak out against her husband and live with the consequences? Or should she just keep quiet? What if Joe's biological mother has come looking for them? What if she's found him and taken him? The authorities have denied her any access whatsoever after she was caught trying to sell him for $50,000.

And then there are the intermittent chapters of an unnamed man who stops to help a horrifically injured young girl. Who are they? And where do they fit into the story?

But what's most important is finding Joe. Where could he be? Did he run off? Did Howard hurt him? Has Gordon taken him? Or has the biological mother returned to claim him, albeit illegally? The possibilities are endless.

The story unfolds primarily through the alternating perspectives of Elizabeth and Joe both leading up to the disappearance and on the day of. While interspersed are those of the aforementioned unnamed man. The plot is complex with a wealth of characters that each play a part. The beginning may be a little confusing to start with, especially as the unnamed chapters have no timeline on them so we have no idea of when it takes place. Is it present or sometime in the past? But it soon falls into a steady rhythm that flows quickly as the pace quickens.

The characters are expertly drawn though it was hard to warm to Elizabeth and definitely not to Howard. The winner of the story, for me, was Gordon who wanted so much to help but was battling with his own deteriorating mind. Nicole expertly gave us a window into the mind of someone in the early to mid stages of dementia...and it is both eye-opening and heartrendering. It is something close to my heart just now.

As always, Nicole's writing is solid and skillful as the story seamlessly flows between perspectives, timelines and events. While the ending did require a little suspension of belief, it was a rather happy ending for all and that in itself is satisfying, whether it was believable or not.

Overall, THE FOSTER FAMILY is an emotive yet tense read that while not really a thriller, is still fast paced tale of domestic suspense. I cannot speak highly enough of Nicole Trope's work and I have loved everything of hers I have read. Worth every star.

I would like to thank #NicoleTrope, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheFosterFamily in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don’t always love a book that changes perspectives, but all of the characters were so rich I was interested in hearing all of their thoughts on what had happened in the past and what was happening in the present. Also, the way it all ties up at the end was more satisfying than I had hoped for while reading. I’m also very interested in the foster/adoption experience. The author did a great job tying in the many emotions that go with that process. Some of the logistics weren’t exactly what I understand the process to be, but then again I’m in the US and this book takes place in Australia so that likely explains that.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow this book that I have just read is soooo good! Twists and turns all over the place and it kept me hooked from page one until the very last page!

Wow I love this author and absolutely enjoy her books. She is amazing and this book is just absolutely wonderful. I loved it from start to finish. Emotional and suspenseful this is a stunner of a read.