The Wrong Family is a slow burn that feels like a soapy lifetime drama. There are subtle twists and clues sprinkled throughout the winding plot. Mysterious events constantly occur that range from inconsequential to tragic. The big reveal was unexpected and wrapped up loose ends for a satisfying conclusion. The narration brought the characters to life adding a foreboding sense as the mystery unfolded. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.

I listened to the audiobook and didn’t love the narrator. I felt like she could have done a better job at distinguishing voices between the characters and bringing more life to the story. The plot was interesting but the characters were so immature that it took away from the story.

Unfortunately this one fell short for me. I found it to be too slow with not enough intrigue to really keep my interest. The MC was annoying and immature. I couldn’t believe how quickly she started referring to strangers as her dad, sister and brother. I just couldn’t connect with her. I was surprised by the reveal at the end but at that point I just wasn’t into it anymore.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

Halle is the perfect anti-hero. You root for her, even when she literally commits crimes. But moreso she is the everyman - she wants to find where she has come from and she wants to belong. We all want this!

This domestic thriller does not disappoint, even though it is predictable. The unresolved ending will leave you wanting more!

As an audiobook, the narrator was masterful in her craft, and she truly made the experience cinematic. Bravo!

I love beach reads and this one is a fast, fun read. This book had me turning the pages so fast to see what would happen. You will definitely enjoy this twisty family thriller. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Wrong Family
By Tarryn Fisher
Narration by Madeline Pell
Format: ALC 🎧
Available now

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

I’ve never met my father. It was always just me and Mom, so when she died, I was completely alone. But today, years since I first mailed my DNA to Family Ties, I finally have a match. They’ve found my biological father.

When I meet Robert, he’s warm, dependable, sturdy. I’m desperate for him to like me. I want to be part of his perfect, high-flying family more than anything.

Except, I’m not so sure they are perfect. Every day, strange things go wrong in the Thompsons’ grand Lake Tahoe house. A family photo is found burning. Robert’s car is tampered with. My mother’s necklace goes missing.

Though that’s nothing compared to the horror of finding the huge family portrait violently slashed in its ornate gold frame… But someone is trying to blame me for everything—all eyes are on me. I can’t run now.

And then I receive an email from Family Ties that makes my blood run cold.

Robert Thompson is not my father.

Review: I enjoyed this book. I found the story engaging keeping me reading to find out what would happen next. Full of characters to were both good and bad. I enjoyed how it was written such as the ongoing letters from the other Roberts she had written to. Definitely worth a read.

Still, as this is an audiobook review, I would suggest skipping this. Unfortunately the narration was not very good; boring, very difficult to distinguish the characters, did not represent the story well.

Regardless I am thankful to NetGalley, the author, and Dreamscape Select, Hachette UK Bookouture, for the opportunity to listen to this ALC for my honest review.

This book was so good, I found myself having empathy for each and every person even Natalie at times. I was fully invested in this family and thought the twist and surprises were very well thought out and appreciated. The only downside for me was not finding out who her biological dad really was. Otherwise, totally enjoyed every minute of this story and look forward to reading more from you!

Simply put The Wrong Family was by far the wrong book for me. I see favorable reviews and this really makes me wonder if I missed something or if I am being too critical, but there is just no way. From the beginning the story feels cheap, like a dime store knock off. The characters are completely unlikable, even the MC whom I presume we are supposed to like. There are also far too many holes in the plot. My assumption was the author felt filling these in near the end would expound upon the twist, but instead they contributed to the overall shoddy feel. I’ll elucidate specifics below.

Hallie Sherman has lived a difficult existence. Her mother died in a tragic car crash when she was nine and the rest of her life she was in and out of foster and group homes. Most currently she had worked in a diner until an altercation with a customer left her without a job and the real possibility of losing her apartment. A bit of good news seems to come her way when an ancestry/DNA service turns up a match to her biological father; cue Robert and family.

It is almost too good to be true that Robert Thompson has a beautiful family, a gorgeous home, and an up-and-coming restaurant in the Lake Tahoe area. Of course, he would invite Hallie to come vacation with them for two weeks; I mean why wouldn’t he invite a stranger to do this? The rest is simply silly drivel. Hallie of course takes up the offer and a slew of events unfold in Tahoe. From the synopsis I was expecting a villainous Robert who caught Hallie in a nefarious plot of murder and mayhem…that does not happen.

The plot holes and pitfalls: Hallie presents herself as a total gourmet, having worked in a supposed Michelin Star restaurant. This is in no way possible. She lived in a car with her mom most of her life and then group homes. Quite simply she would not have access to the materials or ingredients to even WANT to go to culinary school. Later it is revealed she learned her cooking skills in a youth correctional…I mean come on! Now the run-in with the mad customer. Hallie is constantly looking over her shoulder expecting to be arrested. This really doesn’t make sense. The reader was only shown a customer harassing Hallie and she responds by dumping dirty dishwater on him…not arrestable. Later we find she stole his wallet and ran up his credit cards. Why was this hidden??? There are far more holes than this, but ultimately the twist could have saved the novel had it been more cohesive.

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

The premise of this book was so interesting and the book was full of action. There was not a dull moment in this book. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and how all the characters interacted. This was a really good thriller and had me on the edge of my seat.

Hallie's mother died when she was young, leaving her to grow up in foster care. Equipped only with her father's name, Hallie sends letters asking every man called Robert Thompson to submit DNA to see if he matches with hers.
When she finally receives an email notifying her of a match, she gets a little carried away, accepting an invitation to come stay with him and his family.
This is where the story got a little messy for me. Hallie is a bit of a compulsive liar and the circumstances in the home are also off. When strange things start happening at home, sides are taken and drama unfolds. I didn't find this to be very suspenseful, and most of the characters were unlikeable. The narration was very good.
Thank you to Dreamscape Select, Hachette UK - Bookouture for an audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5-3.75 stars

Most of this story was very fun and intriguing. Unfortunately, I found much of the ending a bit underwhelming and unbelievable, which took away from the overall impact of the book. Before that, though, it was a good read, and I’m still glad I had the chance to experience it.

This was my 1st book by Ellery Kane but I can't wait to read another by her! I am adding all of her backlog of books to my TBR! I was listening to this book while doing a trail race at night in the forest and the line "who goes hiking at night" made me laugh b/c I was totally hiking at night in the forest solo!

This was a wild ride and I just knew that it was going to end in tears! Let's hope she finds her father? Or maybe she's safer if she just stops looking!

#TheWrongFamily
#NetGalley

This book had a great plot line and a lot of potential. However, for me it missed the mark.
There seemed to be something missing. I think it was too dragged out and the narrators voice was not very good for a suspense book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC for a honest review.

I’m sorry for the terrible review, but this book is BRUTAL. I Wanted to stop it multiple times, but kept on going.

The characters are all so boring, and this book seems to have been written possibly for a YA audience? The narrator is horrible and one dimensional.

The letters coming in, telling Hallie that each person isn’t the father.? Wow. Just horrible. I can’t even believe one was left in. There was a letter from a gay man who was SOOO gay he couldn’t possibly be Hallie’s father! He was 10 years old and played a fairy in his school play! And his dad marches with him in pride parades! Has Ellery Kane met a gay person before?? I’m shocked she didn’t have a letter where the man couldn’t be her father cause he is black and was tending to his fried chicken restaurant!!! See how that wouldn’t be in there? No one caught this and wanted to rephrase it?

This book had no story. Absolutely none. It’s a poor man’s “Pretty Things” by Janelle Brown. Dreadful. One of the worst books I’ve ever listened to. Couldn’t wait for it to end.

Disturbingly dark with a twist of psychotic behaviour, offering you an insight into the minds of seriously confused and misled minds. Brilliantly written and thoroughly absorbing.

This book was way too long in my opinion. There were so many parts that were long and drawn out for no reason. The story was mildly entertaining, it didn’t need the unnecessary dialogue especially between Hallie and Nick.

As for twists, basically the biggest twist in my opinion was in the description of the book, which is odd to me. Everything else didn't come as a surprise.

The characters all sucked. I mean, all of them. Not one was a decent person.

I will say, I enjoyed the narrator, and listened to the whole thing. So there’s that! The biggest entertainment for me was that it was set in Lake Tahoe. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

The audio version of The Wrong Family was interesting and well narrated. The premise was intriguing, especially considering all of the recent changes in genealogy and DNA search organizations. The main character, Hallie Sherman, had likable qualities but her constant lying was off-putting to me. However, the author did a good job of providing feasible reasons for her strange behavior, given her sad childhood. Hallie is orphaned in a search of her biological father. Unfortunately, he has a very common name making it difficult for her track him down until the genealogical website pairs them. When Hallie meets the rest of his family, she finds siblings and her dream job all combined in what seems like the perfect family. But when things begin unraveling, Hallie must find the truth before she becomes the killer’s next target. The mystery kept me guessing, and the story offered a thought-provoking plot with well-developed characters.

The Wrong Family
By: Ellery A. Kane
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A young girl is desperate to find her father after her mother dies. DNA results give her the name of her father.

She has been seeing his perfect family online and is thrilled when he wants to meet her and welcomes them to his family which also includes siblings.

Nothing is at it seems. Strange things start happening and she is not sure what to do! Twists after twists keep coming. Be careful what you wish for!

I enjoyed the letters from the potential fathers as it added a new element to the story.

Thank you Dreamscape Select and Bookouture for this audio on Netgalley. Available now as of Sept 13th.

❓❓ Have you ever had your DNA tested to find relatives or find out what countries you originate from?
#thewrongfamily, #elleryakane, #dreamscapeselect, #bookouture, #audioreview, #netgalley, #stamperlady50, #booksconnectus, #bookstagram

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Hallie has been trying to locate her father for years especially since her mother died and left her alone jumping from one foster home to another. The day she gets an email from the DNA Registry telling her that they have found her father is a day she will never forget in more reasons than one. Hallie agrees to meet with Robert her dad and they hit it off everything is going great and then Robert makes a tiny comment about her mother that peaks Hallie's interest but she just pushes it aside as no big deal. Robert then invites Hallie to spend two weeks with him and his family at their summer home and how could Hallie resist especially when she is about to be evicted for not paying the rent. Off she goes to meet her new family and this story will take you on a journey where you can't tell what is truth and what is a lie as everyone seems to be hiding something. Enjoy!!

Very descriptive and written well. There is a lot going on if felt like so you’ll definitely have to read or listen closely. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator wasn’t my favorite. It felt a bit monotone at times. I received this audiobook through Netgalley and this review is 100% my own!