I saw this on netgalley not long after finishing Delicious Monsters by this same author so I instantly requested it. Initially this didn’t grab me quite as quickly as Delicious Monsters did, but I did find myself very intrigued. As the story continued, I could not put it down. Around 80% my jaw hit the floor. The remaining 20% was a wild ride and I really can’t say much else without spoiling it all.

This story is told through Sunny’s POV with sections of her mother’s journal entries. I really enjoyed the way the journal entries worked as a slow reveal of what was happening. I also loved the complex family dynamics. Even though Sunny is the only POV character, I felt like I knew so much about each of her siblings just because Samsbury does such a great job building characters.

I would definitely recommend this one to fans of this author or the YA horror genre, but check content warnings as some of this one gets pretty graphic.

Thank you Netgalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Tender Beasts" by Liselle Sambury is an enthralling and creepy read that combines elements of murder mystery, family dynamics, horror, the supernatural, and social commentary. The story follows Sunny as she grapples with her mother's death, the responsibility of holding her family together, and the pressure to protect her younger brother, Dom, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend. The book is filled with the exploration of family dynamics as well as how one presents oneself to others.

The book is an excellent murder mystery with Sambury striking the perfect balance of gore while keeping the plot unpredictable. I was guessing what was actually happening throughout the book, like if The Milk Man were actually real and who was behind all the killings. The last 100 pages of the novel produced jaw-dropping revelations, leaving you questioning every moment. Creating creepy horror scenes is difficult in any kind of literature, but Sambury succeeding in that aspect, especially this one scene that occurred in a costume store that actually had me pause before continuing because of the tense atmosphere this scene created.

I really appreciated the book's message and the element of gore; this is one of the mysteries where I honestly could not guess the murderer and what was exactly going on behind the scenes. However, there was some occasional repetitiveness in the writing, and I thought some characters needed a little more development, such as Sunny’s oldest sister. Sunny’s perspective on the family dynamics was also repeated a lot, and I thought Sambury spelled out a little too much of the background of The Milk Man.

I will say that the story of The Milk Man was a bit difficult to connect to and appreciate in the book as there was just something about this supernatural aspect being tied to milk was a little odd to me. But I also thought it was a bit similar to “The Candyman.” Reading the mother’s journal helped flesh out this part of the story, and I especially liked the footnotes in the journal allowing me to learn more about Sunny’s mom.

"Tender Beasts" is a gripping murder mystery with unexpected twists, and I also enjoyed the depiction of racism in the school setting, especially the racism against a Black family who has money, which is something not explored often in YA books. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Sambury, and I highly recommend this book. I would rate this 4.5 stars out of 5.

Sunny Behre has had a difficult few years. Her younger brother has been accused of murder and her mother died. At first, it seems as if Dom's chargers were inevitable. He was always treated badly by their mother and the rest of the family followed her lead. At the reading of her mother's will, Sunny is given a post-it with a message from her mother stating take care of Dom. Sunny assumes this means that Sunny needs to watch out for him. Since he has always been treated as an outcast, it is challenging for Sunny to try to get to know him, but they quickly find themselves getting closer when Sunny finds Dom in a school hallway, standing over a dead student. Dom assures Sunny that he didn't kill the boy, but Sunny isn't sure she believes him. As more victims are found murdered in the school, the Behre family starts to come slowly apart. The more Sunny digs into her family, the more she realizes that she never really knew anything about her parents and the rest of her siblings. A tense thriller by Liselle Sambury.

In Tender Beasts, we come across a family that is tight with each other except for with the youngest sibling. Dom is accused of killing his girlfriend and Sunny must prove that he wasn’t the one that it. Sunny uncovers secrets within the family that changes her thoughts about herself and everyone else. In the end, Sunny and the middles spend every Feb 10 trying new ways to get rid of the Milk Man from out of Dom’s body.

“It took Mom dying for me to realize she had an excessive obsession with bears.” Here are reasons to read the Horror book:

Prominent family - The Behre family is very successful and prominent in the community
Brother accused - despite the brother, Dom, being accused of a violent act against a local girl
School - But he returns to school and his sister Sunny is determined to keep an eye on him now that their mother is no longer alive. But then more deaths occur.
Journal - Interspersed with their mother’s childhood journal entries, we start to get a picture of the true beginnings of this family’s success and how it affects them today.

First I want to mention that I am sharing this book as a part of Turn the Page Tours, and you can find all the posts for this by following them below. I had read Delicious Monsters previously by this author and really enjoyed it. If possible, this one I liked even more. It’s lengthy at 400 pages, but in reading, I could not wait to finish. Check trigger warnings, which the author has at the beginning of the book. It’s not so much a shock who is responsible as much as why. I really enjoyed this read!

Had Shirley come to warn me about her family or mine?

Thank you to Simon & Schuester & Netgalley for the ARC - I provided this honest review of my own accord. Wow wow wow wow WOW I was truly creeped the fuck out by this and was not expecting anything that I read. *still processing*

The book opens with matriarch Ainsley Behre de-planing and walking to the airport garage, before she meets her untimely death after a tragic slip on the icy walkways. Then, we are introduced to the first-person POV of second-to-youngest child, Sunny Behre, and we meet her younger brother Dom, the "middles" Kiley and Darren, and the eldest child Karter. Their father Jay and Karter take up leading the family after Ainsley's death, as the family quietly tries to deal with Dom's charge of second-degree murder of his late girlfriend Torri (she died exactly one year before Ainsley passed away). The family is quite well off, and they run an high school/full-scholarship academy specifically for underprivileged kids, to give them the education and advantages that they normally would not in the public school system. Since Ainsley's death, she left behind something for each of her kids, and she leaves a note for Sunny, stating: "Take care of Dom," which is just as helpful as it is elusive. When more and more murders happen at the school, Sunny and Dom team up to find out who is doing this and trying to frame him for it.

I spent the entire book at the very edge of my seat because I could not decide what the outcome and final explanations would be. I refused to believe there was any validity to the Milk Man boogeyman horror stories, and almost with equal fervor, I refused to believe in a world where any of the Behres were capable of such malicious, horrifying behavior. LS deserves her flowers for the intricate and calculated way she developed these characters, their dynamics, and the societal context that they existed in. It broke my heart to see Sunny reckon with the way that she, her siblings, and her parents treated Dom and the way no one ever questioned or challenged it. They simply allowed him to feel excluded from his own family, and pushed him into the arms of those who likely weren't the best for him. Sunny grapples with being the person she thought her mom wanted her to be versus the kind of person she feels proud to be, and that's a central theme that runs through this story.

AND it's not just Sunny who Ainsley and Jay Behre did a disservice; it is all of their kids. Regardless of the Milk Man cult being real or not, they passed that trauma and those expectations onto their kids, rather than try to confront this together as a family. They encouraged their children to internalize messaging about the way things "had to be" versus trying to envision a different life for all of them, one where they didn't have to hide or sacrifice one for the good of them all. They were fully resigned to a fate they thought they could not escape, which I found could be a mirror to the systematic racism and classism that surrounded them. In this light, I can't wholly blame them; they tried to make it work within a system that was already rigged against them. However, I was so moved by Sunny's choices in the end, choosing hope and envisioning a different way, rather than simply accepting her fate.

Honorable mention to Mercy and Shyanne, whose authenticity and upfront demeanors were utter perfection. I loved the scene with Sunny towards the end where they have an open dialogue about how Sunny's privilege, facade, and position within the school played such a massive role in how others perceived her. I love a little tough love, and I appreciate a call in. Craig, from the very beginning, is a predictably dusty crusty dude, and you know how it's kind of horrible but you still kind of root for someone to die in a slasher like this? That's this dude (at least for me lollll). Last honorable mention to Jeremy, Dom's bestie and an overall cutie whose vibes I approved of from the very start!

content warnings: Cursing, Stalking, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Vomit, Violence, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Murder, Grief, Gore, Blood, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Infidelity

I really enjoyed Delicious Monsters so I was excited to get a copy of Tender Beasts in advance. While the murder mystery was a big focus of the book, it was the family dynamics of the Behres and the generational trauma that really made the book for me. I thought it was such a wonderfully nuanced look at racism, privilege and familial roles. The murder mystery was certainly intriguing and I had no idea where it was going so being surprised was great, but I did have a bit of a hard time understanding how everything even began in the first place. I did love Ainsley’s journal entries that were peppered in. The pacing was overall slower, but I did like that it was very character driven at times. However, when action was happening, it was HAPPENING. I think this will definitely appeal to YA horror fans, but I’d recommend it to anyone comfortable with gore, looking for a unique story.
CW: death of a parent, animal cruelty and death, murder, gore, racism, child abuse, mentions of self harm, infidelity

Thank you to Simon Teen for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book expecting a full on horror and was pleasantly surprised at how the author weaved a story about beasts unseen.

The author did a remarkable job at honestly uncovering what we pass onto others. The trauma, beliefs and ideals.

I thoroughly enjoyed yet another book from Liselle!

"After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother's name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

Sunny Behre has four siblings, but only one is a murderer.

With the death of Sunny's mother, matriarch of the wealthy Behre family, Sunny's once picture-perfect life is thrown into turmoil. Her mother had groomed her to be the family's next leader, so Sunny is confused when the only instructions her mother leaves is a mysterious note: "Take care of Dom."

The problem is, her youngest brother, Dom, has always been a near-stranger to Sunny...and seemingly a dangerous one, if found guilty of his second-degree murder charge. Still, Sunny is determined to fulfill her mother's dying wish. But when a classmate is gruesomely murdered, and Sunny finds her brother with blood on his hands, her mother's simple request becomes a lot more complicated. Dom swears he's innocent, and although Sunny isn't sure she believes him, she takes it upon herself to look into the murder - made all the more urgent by the discovery of another body. And another.

As Sunny and Dom work together to track down the culprit, Sunny realizes her other siblings have their own dark secrets. Soon she may have to choose: preserve the family she's always loved or protect the brother she barely knows - and risk losing everything her mother worked so hard to build."

Choices, choices, when you might be harboring a killer...

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so... wild. I usually pride myself on my skills at sussing out plot twists and the like, but I genuinely was not sure where this was going at times, and even started to doubt myself a little there (this is all a good thing! I like it when a book can surprise me!). This was a delightfully twisty, thrilling, creepy, weird little book and I loved every second of it. I even managed to curb my usual desire to read ahead, because I wanted to be present for the whole thing. My only real issue is a small, stupid one that anyone else who has ever played the video game Psychonauts will understand - the villainous figure is called the "Milk Man"? Hoooo boy.

This is a solid psychological thriller/horror book. The focus is definitely on the Behre family, their secrets, and how far they will go to better themselves and protect one another. Even though this book is filled with murder, not a ton really happens throughout, but at the same time it still works well in keeping you guessing and interested. There is an entity that is worshiped, and the author does a nice job of making the reader question reality vs supernatural elements. On that note, the author does provide a list of triggers at the beginning of the book that people may find helpful. My favorite part of the novel was the deceased mothers journal entries from when she was a teen that are dispersed throughout. It was a nice way to give some necessary background information and helped to keep any reveals well-timed. If you liked Delicious Monsters, you’ll definitely like this one as well. It has a very similar vibe, although a very different story. If you’re into psychological thrillers and family drama, this one is for you.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.

Now, where do I even start to review this book?

Liselle Sambury excels in her fourth YA Book. A story about the Beher family after the loss of their Matriarch. A rich family in Canada that runs an academy that allows low income students in and it offers them a way up.

The Beher family is now their father, oldest sister, the middles-a set of twins-, Sunny, our main character and Dom. Who’s life is in full upheaval and is the odd man out in his family. Where they all have connections with each other, no one has one with him.

This book was amazing. Full of characters who felt as real and rich as actual humans. Some I liked, some I didn’t care much for either way and one I absolutely hated. They’re all complicated and feel so real.

It’s a story about a complicated family at its core but then then there’s a murder at the school and things start to get spooky.

I love the way the mom’s history is sprinkled in and the way the characters interact with each other. To say they’re dysfunctional is putting it mildly.

Sunny, our main character, is sort of the peacekeeper of the family. And the way Liselle Sambury wrote her was phenomenal. Thinking about the way she speaks, the pitch of her voice, how soft it is, the way her head is, all to give the write effect. She was such a great character.

I couldn’t put this book down. I tried reading a few chapters a day and was reading until my eyes were blurry because I didn’t want to stop. It was great. At one point I had my tablet in my hands, then I put it on my bed and hunched over it like a monster because I was so engrossed.

Please, if you want a good spooky read, pick this up. For me, Liselle Sambury is up there with N.K. Jemison as a literary great.

I give this book a 5/5. Please, everybody, read it.

This was good!

What I liked: I like the author’s writing and the atmosphere of the story was pretty creepy. Sambury writes thriller/horror well. I thought the pacing was good and I pretty much stayed intrigued with the whole book. I was eager to know what was happening and I did not guess the murder/mystery at the end.

What didn’t work for me: I didn’t care for the Behre family. Sunny and her siblings were working my nerves. I did not like their personalities.

Overall, the plot was satisfying, and if you liked the author’s other works especially Delicious Monsters, you would like this one.

I haven’t been enjoying a lot of the ARCs I’ve been reading lately, and unfortunately, Tender Beasts is another one that is not for me. Earlier this year, I read Liselle Sambury’s most recent release, Delicious Monsters, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of it. However, the synopsis of Tender Beasts sounded interesting so I wanted to give it a try. It’s clear that Lieselle Sambury’s books work for me though, after Tender Beasts. As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I struggled to get through it. If you enjoyed Liselle Sambury’s other books, I’m sure you will enjoy this, but I think this will be my last attempt with her.

I quite liked the darkness of this one and how it bled into the characters. It was a fantastic read.

I’ve tried for weeks and i cannot get pass 69%. Although this started off a bit creepy and interesting it’s so repetitive and honestly quite boring. I’ve noticed with this authors books i have trouble with connecting with her characters and this was no different.

This family seemed super superficial and fake. The main character was way too young to wrapped up in wanting to be the family leader and it was repeated so many times.

The way the family treated the youngest child was unrealistic and crazy. And for what ?

The only reason i read it for so long as i did because i was curious.

"Tender Beasts" by Liselle Sambury is a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of a family's dark secrets in the wake of a gruesome murder. Sunny Behre, part of the wealthy Behre family, is left in disarray after the death of her mother, who had groomed her to be the family's next leader. However, her mother's dying wish is simply to "Take care of Dom," referring to Sunny's youngest brother.

The challenge arises when Dom, already a near-stranger to Sunny, is accused of second-degree murder. Despite the seemingly dangerous nature of her brother, Sunny is determined to fulfill her mother's request. However, things take a dark turn when a classmate is brutally murdered, and Sunny finds her brother with blood on his hands. Now, her mother's simple request becomes much more complicated, especially as Sunny discovers her other siblings harboring their own dark secrets.

The novel unfolds as Sunny and Dom work together to uncover the truth behind the murders. As the mystery deepens and more bodies are discovered, Sunny is faced with a dilemma: preserve the family she's always loved or protect the brother she barely knows. "Tender Beasts" weaves a gripping narrative that explores family dynamics, dark secrets, and the choices one must make in the face of a growing storm of violence and mystery.

This was amazing and just as good if not better than the authors other book. I truly loved every second.

Overall, I appreciated the books message and I loved the gore. I enjoyed reading a book with different types of representation. I could not figure out who was the murdered but I was able to narrow it down. I second guessed myself. I enjoyed the thrill of not knowing. I think the writing was repetitive at times. It was a lot of things that didn’t need to be mentioned because the reader would figure it out through context. I still don’t understand the milkman and Shirley. Thank you for the ARC!

4.5 💫

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon and Schuster, and Fierce Reads for blessing my shelves and imagination.

What in the world did I just read?

I'm honestly afraid of Liselle Sambury's literary mind. Delicious Monsters was an absolute mind fcuk but this....THIS! A psychological thriller mystery built around a cult that I refused to put down. It will have you side eyeing your parents and siblings.