This was a new twist on the cult story. It had me in the beginning but it got ridiculous by the end. If you like horror and are looking for something unique I think you’ll enjoy it but it wasn’t a total winner for me.

I think Rachel Harrison is a new favorite author of mine! I read this one TWICE! & listened to the audiobook version. It was such a different, fresh concept that I didn’t see coming. I highly recommend this title! #netgalley #blacksheep

Author Harrison releases 'Black Sheep'

"You know, you're not pretty enough to get away with being as you are," Vesper Wright's co-worker tells her in Rachel Harrison's new book, "Black Sheep." "And you're really pretty."

Vesper, a cynical twenty-something-year-old, is a server at Shortee's, the type of restaurant where she sings "Happy Birthday" to small children early in the evening—and no she doesn't like doing that no matter how sweet the kids are—and fight off obnoxious drunks later at night. The daughter of Constance Wright, the elegantly beautiful star of such horror movies as "Bloody Midnight" and "The Black Hallows Coven Investigation," Vesper always denies being related when Constance's fans notice how much she looks like the star.

But if working at Shortee's is like a version of hell for Vesper, where she grew up is another take on it—a devil worshipping society in a small, isolated community in which her mother is one of its most exalted members. But family is family and Vesper finds herself overwhelmingly drawn to returning home without totally understanding why she's doing so. The compelling reasons though include an invitation to the wedding of her best friend Rosie who is marrying Vesper's first and only boyfriend and losing her job at Shortee's. The latter happens after Vesper's inappropriate reaction when an extra side of nacho cheese strangely explodes as Vesper serves it to a guy who is harassing her. It's one of many strange incidents that happen to those who wrong Vesper.

It's been five years since Vesper left home but little seems to have changed when she first returns to the large home full of ghastly props from the movies Constance has starred in.
Vesper and her mother have never gotten along, the mother seemingly hostile and rejecting her only child. And that hasn't changed nor has Rosie's love of her best friend and her fiancé, Vesper's ex-boyfriend's remaining attraction to Vesper—they exchange a kiss the night before his wedding.

It's not an easy homecoming. Vesper has always blamed her mother for not letting her father be more a part of her life. Her mother has always been cool and distant and that hasn't changed either.

As the town readies for the big wedding, Vesper has hopes that she can reconcile with her family.

"She goes home because she wants things to change," says Harrison, the author of "Such Sharp Teeth" and "The Return" which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. But all the changes are for the worse and even the return of her father doesn't help as she realizes there's something sinister planned for her and she tries to fight against what the town—and her family and friends—have planned for her.

Vesper needs to summon up all strength and courage to fight back and it is her mother that gives her what she needs to do just that.

This was so much fun! Much different than I expected. It had some horror elements to it, but it managed to be a horror book with fantastical things happening without ever feeling ridiculous. I really loved the direction this took, I was hoping the entire time that it would be going in this direction. Not quite a 5 star book but a high enough 4 star reading experience that I picked up all of Harrison’s other books and am looking forward to reading them! 4.5 stars!

Rachel Harrison can do no wrong. I loved our wry MC and at first I thought it was going to be another "run of the mill" cult story. Well, this was certainly an unexpected cult! I love her balance of humor and bite, and she will continue to be an auto read author for me.

This was so much fun to read! Vesper's characterization was so relatable throughout, she's one of my favorite characters I've read about this year I think. I also really loved her mother, the horror movie star with a heart made of ice. Complicated mother/daughter relationships are usually a hit with me, and that's not even taking into consideration the rest of Vesper's family/town/life! Definitely not a place I'd want to visit, that's for dang sure!

Wow I don't know what I was expecting with this story but I got a whole lot more than I bargained for, but in a good way. I liked how Rachel Harrison really used her literary writing skills to create a story for us but also to brig to light and talk about some deeper issues while doing that. I enjoyed reading this but I will say as a person with a strong faith in God, it was a times a bit difficult to read. I feel that you need to go into this book with a really open mind and just read it for what it is and not let your own beliefs get in the way of a really good story.

4.5⭐!!!
Weird but good! Love that I enjoyed it more than I expected and look forward to reading more by Rachel Harrison!

Vesper is a waitress and is let go after a rowdy drunk customer burns himself by molten nacho cheese she nuked in a microwave. 😂 🧀

She hated the job anyway and also dreaded returning home to Hamlet of Virgil, New Jersey for her old BFF/cousin Rosie's wedding where she thought she escaped when she was 18.

Under normal circumstances, once you leave the strict religious community where Vesper was from, you're out for good. Six years have passed, and they must have forgiven her for leaving or made an exception for the wedding?🤔

Black Sheep is dark and disturbing in a fun way. Part family drama and part horror with bits and parts that made me laugh helped lighten the mood and give a nice balance. I didn't know what I was getting into and enjoyed it so I won't say much about anything else! This is one crazy place to call home that's for sure. 🫣

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the DRC.

Vesper Wright's family isn't exactly what one might call "normal," and she left home at eighteen with no intention of ever looking back. The religious community she grew up in made it clear that departing meant no chance of return. However, her resolve is tested when an unexpected envelope arrives at her doorstep, containing an invitation to her beloved cousin Rosie's wedding, set to take place at the family farm. Is this an exception to the rule, a special treatment for Vesper, or is it something else—an olive branch, a sweet gesture, or perhaps a trap?

Despite the toxic environment she escaped, something within Vesper compels her to attend the wedding. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance—a former horror film star and a perpetual ice queen. The book, a delightful mix of creepy and fun, introduces Vesper as a strong, cynical, and captivating main character. Constance, the horror star mother, is portrayed as awful, cold, and macabre, surrounded by horrifying movie props that add to the chilling atmosphere of their home.

The story, consumed in a few riveting hours, proved irresistible, with its clever incorporation of the title into the narrative and unexpected plot twists. While there were some repetitive moments and a few unexplained plot holes, I still enjoyed it.

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

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing, NetGalley, and Rachel Harrison for an advance copy of Black Sheep in exchange for an honest review. Can Rachel Harrison do any wrong by me?! No she can’t. Wow!!! What a book! I grew up in the church so reading Black Sheep was a refreshing change to some of the religious cults I read about. I don’t want to ruin anything so I will just say that you need to read this book because it’s that good. Can’t wait to see what Harrison comes up with next.

It's a perfect read for the spooky season with its great horror elements and thrilling twists that keep the story engaging. Although I got lost a few times while reading, I still found the book thoroughly enjoyable. I'm looking forward to reading more works from this author!

This was a quick, fun read great for Halloween season. Vesper is a (hot badass) waitress who left what sounds like a cult in a small New Jersey town, but finds herself being pulled back for possibly sinister reasons. I loved the dark humor which reminded me of a campy horror movie with elements of a Weird NJ "mysterious abandoned town" article. It didn't take itself too seriously and Vesper was a cool character, but the plot was very straightforward and silly and goes into the "mindless distraction" category for me.

This was a very interesting take on religious trauma but I feel like I lost the plot to this one toward the end. Overall a good time and a great twist but just not my favorite

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This definitely had great horror aspects and was a fun read, I just finished it unsatisfied and I’m not sure why. The ending was a bit odd and I’m not sure how I’m supposed to interpret it, but the rest of the book was good.

Rachel’s writing style has this sense of ease and comfort to it, all while still providing those bone chilling haunting moments. Some of you might say she writes cozy horror, but if you’ve read The Return and Black Sheep you’ll know that she does the psychological horror so incredibly well.

This plot of Black Sheep unfolds so delicately, revealing little tidbits as we go, leaving you wondering how they fit into the big picture or if they’re just a distraction to throw you off the path of figuring it all at. I absolutely loved this tactic, it left me extremely surprised when the bigger reveals happened and kept me utterly enraptured with the story.

The family dynamics were so well crafted and entertaining. Maybe even cringey at times, but in the best way! There was just enough of the spooky scenes, the kind that are so realistic that they leave you wondering if it was an odd coincidence or if it truly was something paranormal. But also, the lifestyle of their religion clearly shows adequate research on what it might have been like, while still showing the creativity Rachel took to craft her masterpiece.

I like the surprise of Satan cult and the cold and unloving mother dynamic with the main protagonist. She's every angsty modern lost soul who is only trying to move beyond the strings of her past and live her life fully. Her writing style is captivating and gothic. Only thing I would have hoped for is a darker twist? Perhaps I'm anti humanity c:<

Rachel Harrison's "Black Sheep" delivers a fiery and irreverent horror novel that ignites the senses and unravels the dark secrets of an unconventional family. This gripping tale, filled with twists and turns, captivates readers from the first page and keeps them on the edge until the very end.

Vesper Wright, the cynical twentysomething protagonist, is thrust into a sinister reunion with her family after receiving an unexpected invitation to her cousin Rosie's wedding. Harrison skillfully crafts a narrative that explores the complexities of family dynamics, religious fervor, and the haunting secrets that lurk within the shadows of Vesper's past.

The writing is sharp, and the pacing is relentless, creating an atmosphere of suspense that intensifies with each revelation. The characterization, particularly that of Vesper and her mother Constance, is richly detailed, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and confrontations. Harrison masterfully navigates the delicate balance between horror and family drama, infusing the narrative with a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page.

Comparisons to "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" are apt, as both explore the intersection of family, dark secrets, and the supernatural. However, "Black Sheep" distinguishes itself with its gritty realism and the visceral impact of its horror elements. The novel is more akin to a psychological thriller, where the true horror lies not only in supernatural occurrences but also in the twisted relationships and hidden traumas that shape the characters.

The ending of "Black Sheep" is a masterstroke that leaves readers gasping. Harrison skillfully ties together the threads of the narrative, delivering a conclusion that is both shocking and satisfying. Without revealing spoilers, the final revelations will have readers reflecting on the intricate layers of the story long after they've finished the book.

In conclusion, "Black Sheep" is a tour de force in the horror genre, showcasing Rachel Harrison's talent for crafting atmospheric and chilling narratives. With its well-developed characters, relentless pacing, and an ending that leaves you breathless, this novel is a must-read for fans of horror and dark family dramas. Harrison proves herself as a standout voice in the genre, and "Black Sheep" is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

It's hard to believe that this is the first book by this author that I have read. Vesper is the main character. She wanted to start living life her way so she left home and moved to the big city...and was probably a little too young. Things don't work out quickly and she is at a unfulfilling job living an unfulfilling life. Add to the fact that she is blunt and a little mean and that doesn't help her cause either. She gets fired (not her fault) and next thing you know she finds an envelope inviting her to her cousins wedding...to the boy she once loved, Brody. They really want her there and tell her she has been really missed.

She decides she is going to the wedding, even though she is bitter and can't believe it's happening. Her family is a group of satanists and her mother....ouch!

This was a wild ride of a book, I can't wait to read more by her.

Even with all the horror elements, this was such a fun read!

I have read some of Rachel Harrison's work, and I always find she is the perfect amount of humour, satire, and horror.

Black Sheep is fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns, with a highly likeable character (with a crazy background and an entertaining personality).

A must-read.

Purchased for our collection; I have read a Rachel Harrison book the last few years in a row as they seem to fulfill "fun horror" for October spooky picks. This one was not my favorite, but will still appeal to readers I'm sure.