Thank you to #NetGalley, #Bookouture and Elbert A. Kane for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Wrong Family, to be published 30 August 2023. As the title gives away, it’s the wrong family, but that’s not supported with any evidence until the end when a lot of truths come to life. Hallie wants to find her father despite being told by her mother he was a no good dead beat. She is introduced to a family that accepts her as theirs only to learn they were not. A myriad of consequences occur through the period of time she is with them, partially because of her pathological lying. 5/5 Stars #NetGalley #Bookouture #ElleryKane #TheWrongFamily

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Wrong Family. This book kept me gripped, it was an interesting read. I liked the plot, a few of the characters were likable but mostly it showed me families have secrets and how they stick together through them. A good read!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book.

Wait for the smoke to clear… this twisty novel by Kane will have you turning pages in a fiery. Hallie is alone, young, and looking for belonging. Family. Hallie gets tangled up in the Thompson family. Robert seems like the perfect father, but he’s not hers. Who is he? What secrets is he hiding? What is the family capable of? #YAthriller #mystery #thriller #waitforthesmoketoclear

This was OK, fast read and interesting twists and turns but it was at times boring, I also found some of the reveals silly but maybe others won't. Overall not the worst but not the best just a quick fast paced mystery which makes a good pallette cleanser for more indepth reads on my list!

Thank you to the author, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Wrong Family by Ellery Kane had it all and I was hooked from the first chapter! I don’t do spoilers but if you love a good psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end do not hesitate on this one! Family secrets, murder, arson, theft…everyone in this story has some sort of past and the way they twist together to create a story line and characters you can’t help but love (and hate at times) was wonderful! I am definitely an Ellery Kane fan after this one!!

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh well, what a ride ! I didn't see the twist coming at all !! I found the replies from her request so fun sometimes haha, I'm still think of a few of them. I loved how it ended, except that I wanted her to open that mail. Haha, can't have everything, right ? I'm thinking maybe there'll be a second book to reveal that ?

2.5 Stars

I read Legacy by Kane years ago and remember liking it, so I was excited to have an opportunity to read her latest book. This falls somewhere between family drama and domestic thriller.

Most characters were largely unlikeable and all weren’t reliable, including Hallie. I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to care for her or not. Her constant referencing to her tragic childhood didn’t make up for the immature antics and lying she did as an adult.

This is one of those books that could have accomplished the same thing with 100 less pages. There seemed to be a lot of filler (such as the emails and letters from other Robert Thompsons). But there were also some unanswered side stories that I’m not sure why they were put in [like the possibility that Nat is a drug dealer (hide spoiler)].

Ultimately, I think this book was trying to do too much and would have preferred slightly less of Hallie’s internal thoughts and snooping and more suspense by developing the unfolding of the secrets more.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

The idyllic family that Hallie Sherman, an amateur chef, has longed for seems to be happening. Her DNA has been matched to her father. A real family. A stepmother, a stepsister and stepbrother. She is welcomed into the family with open arms, but all is not as idyllic as she hoped and this family has a lot of problems. Whispers, overheard conversations and things stolen, lead Hallie to believe that this family has more lies in their past than she does. I always look forward to a book by Ellery Kane. She presents a good thriller with each chapter and well thought out plot. However, I didn’t like how Hallie was portrayed at times. It was hard for me to believe that she was 28, more like 18. But perhaps that was how the author wanted her pictured and was based on her background and upbringing, unsure of herself and floundering in life. There are a few twists in this story to make it a great read and the ending is well satisfying. I definitely will look for the next book by Ellery Kane. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the arc. The comments and this review are my honest opinion.

I did enjoy this novel a lot due to the engaging plot, Kane has the ability to keep the reader thrilled through plot twists. The suspense builds up throughout the novel and left me in shock as the plot unraveled- a must read

I really liked The Wrong Family. This fast paced Psychological Thriller will keep you guessing until the end. Hallie always wanted to be a chef and meet her real father, be careful what you wish for because sometime your wishes come true. I was shocked by the twist at the end and liked the characters and the plot. I enjoy this Authors writing and will continue reading her work.

I give The Wrong Family 4 stars for its gripping read.
I would recommend this book to Psychological Thriller fans
#TheWrongFamily #NetGalley

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this thrilling, TWISTY, page turner! It was glued to my seat, reading this great read in one night. The plot development was detailed and thorough. Halie, the main character was relatable and authentic. Halie is just a server at a diner with a sordid and heartbreaking past. She has spent so many years trying to find her father that she sends a DNA sample to Family Ties. She also writes to every Robert Thompson in her metro area that she can find, asking them to send a DNA sample to Family Ties in hopes of reuniting with her long lost Dad. One day, she gets a match! She has found her father! Her Dad invites her to her new family’s home on the lake, where they own a swanky restaurant. To her own embarrassment of such a shabby life and history, Halie lies and says she was sous chef for a very popular and prestigious Michalin star rated restaurant .

Her new family consist of a stepmother, brother and sister….but this new family of hers is hiding some scandalous secrets. What are their secrets?

Her Dad’s old business partner and nemesis is missing then found dead near the lake. Who killed him? Why? What secrets are being hidden by every character in this story?

A very twisty and shocking ending, you don’t want to miss this fast paced read!
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture publishing and Ellery A. Kane for this great novel in exchange for my honest review. The Wrong Family will be published on August 30th.

Thank you NetGalley for this advance readers copy, and the chance to leave a voluntary review of this novel. This story kept me in suspense with a great plot, and the twist was incredible. Can’t wait to read more Ellery Kane novels, and I highly recommend this book for anyone that loves a suspenseful thriller!

I would consider this book to be 50% mystery and 50% thriller and I was all about it. I especially like the characters as I felt they really added to the story.. I never saw the ending coming… and you won’t either.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It hooked me from the first page and I couldn't put it down! One thing that I noticed immediately was that the author wrote about the main character's trauma symptoms very realistically. As a Mental Health Counselor, I tend to notice right away when mental health/trauma is portrayed unrealistically. And sure enough, after looking into it, the author is a forensic psychologist. This was my first book by her but it definitely won't be my last!
One piece of criticism is that there is a spoiler in the description of the book, as it contains information that is not revealed until about 80% of the way in. I wish I hadn't known that information from the start because I kept waiting for it to be revealed and it would have been much more climactic if I had been surprised.

He tells you he’s your father. He welcomes you into his family. And now you’re trapped…

This was very unsettling. The main antagonist is a very creepy man. I didn't want to keep reading sometimes but in a good way.

Hallie Sherman doesn’t live a normal life. Her mother passed away when she was young and she has been on a mission to find her father through a genetic testing site called Family Ties.
A few years later she receives an email stating, “We’ve found a match!” But did they truly? Hallie is able to meet her biological father after many years and re-establish a connection with him and his current family. This family is everything Hallie has ever wanted and they open the door for her to start actually pursuing her dream as a chef. But since Hallie has arrived, weird things keep happening and she always ends up being connected in some way.Who is causing all of these weird things to happen? Why is she always being caught in the middle?

The Wrong Family has an incredible attention grabbing start. I read the first page and couldn’t put the book down. The plot was well written and organized. There was never a moment while reading that I felt lost or didn’t know what was happening. This did read as a YA novel (to me) but I still very much enjoyed it. The author did a great job with sneaking in little pieces that make the reader believe are hints but actually are preparing you for a plot twist! I was personally a big fan of what the plot was based on. I also really enjoyed the character development throughout the novel.

Some wishes of the book: I wish there was a little more imagery throughout the book. All of these places were being mentioned and I didn’t feel like I connected with the book in regard to the settings because of the lack of imagery. I also wish that the description of the book was different. I feel like the description gave away a little too much that could’ve added SO MUCH to the book.

I very much enjoyed this novel, I couldn’t put it down from the minute I picked it up and finished it in a day. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review!

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I absolutely loved this book! It kept me hooked from page one and I didn’t figure out then ending. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing! I will be reading more by this author!

The story revolves around a web of secrets, as the characters desperately try to bury their pasts. Hallie embarks on a quest to find her long-lost father, diligently sending letters to every Robert Thompson within the correct age range. When she receives notification from Family Ties that they have found a potential match, she eagerly accepts their invitation to visit. As Hallie becomes involved in the family business, she forms a bond with Nick, the talented chef at the family's restaurant by Lake Tahoe. However, trust becomes elusive in a world filled with hidden truths.

Thrillers often prioritize shocking plot twists, sometimes neglecting well-developed characters. However, "The Wrong Family" strikes a perfect balance between the two. Despite its slower pace compared to typical thrillers, the story effectively builds suspense with clever twists, leaving readers on edge until the final reveal. While the ending may be somewhat predictable, it still captivates the reader's attention. Additionally, the inclusion of Hallie's letter responses adds a delightful touch, providing moments of levity amidst the tension.

I found this book less engaging, as it felt somewhat monotonous and reminiscent of young adult novels. The repetition of scenes, particularly between the Thompson house and the Cerulean, became tiresome, leaving me longing for greater diversity in both settings and characters.

Although the plot may be convoluted and less believable, "The Wrong Family" remains an enjoyable read. The characters may lack depth, and their lives may not entirely resonate with reality. Despite these shortcomings, I continued reading with a burning curiosity to see how it all unfolds. The resolution, while not entirely convincing, tied up loose ends.

Overall, I recommend approaching this book with a grain of salt, as it offers a decent escapade into the world of psychological thrillers.

It was an interesting concept. Searching for your birth family, and having it end in a very messed up way. I lost interest partway through. I thought I would like it more, and fans of Natalie Richards would probably like it.

I would call this book 3.5 stars for me, rounded up to 4 stars. I liked Hallie but found myself a little irritated with her constant thoughts of all the things she had done. It was clear that something else was going to come out. I will say, it has that thriller quality of not being able to put it down. I couldn’t go to sleep without finishing it. Some of the ending reveal I found pretty predictable. In a way that’s good - you never want the end of a thriller or mystery to come from out of nowhere, with no clues. There were some bits of it that I hadn’t predicted, so that was exciting. The character Nick was my favorite of the group. Main themes seemed to be: apples don’t fall far from the tree and everyone has secrets.