A young couple with a nearly year old baby win a housing lottery where they receive a luxurious apartment in a historic building. Prior to their lottery win the couple had been faced with many challenges. Anna, during the traumatic birth of their child, is now left in a wheelchair. With limited mobility and grappling with postpartum depression, what they hoped would be a fresh start is just the beginning of their terror. Their apartment building and its tenants aren’t what they appear to be.

First off I want to start with the strength of this story. Despite me being a bit skeptical about a man writhing from a disabled woman grappling with motherhood he did a fantastic job. I feel like the representation in this book is very well done. With that being said there was a lot in this book that just did not work for me.

The first 55% was so slow that I continued to be pulled from the story. There were some gaps that I can’t remember because my mind kept wandering. When there were scary moments it felt very lackluster. Even listening to this in the dark and alone I never had that adrenaline rush I seek in scary stories. The first part of the book really just encapsulated how the couple interacted with their surroundings and not much more.

The second part of the story was much faster paced yet I still felt very detached from the story. It did however hold my attention. I’d rate the first half 2/5 and the second 4/5 giving it an overall 3/5.

There are a lot of content working I feel are important to note. They are but not limited to…

Antisemitism
Ableism
Child loss
Infertility
Racism
Mental health
Suicide
Postpartum

Thank you NetGally, McMillan audio and Torr books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I listened to this book in one day, which might not have been great for my psyche, but it was worth it. This was an excellent horror read just in time for Halloween. With all the elements of paranoia, creepy crawlies, and a hint of "Rosemary's Baby", this enticing and fascinating story will keep you up at night.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook. This book will be published on October 31st, 2023!

Thank you @tornightfire @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book!

This was my first by this author and wowza what a wild ride! I have to say, Nat, you win the award for the first book I have ever physically gagged in while reading! I have to chalk that up to amazing writing and being 💯 immersed in the story! 🤣

Ana and Reid win a housing lottery and Ana really views this as an opportunity to start anew. She has been struggling as of late emotionally after being left in a wheelchair following the birth of her daughter. Being that she is wheelchair bound she holds some resentment towards her own husband and daughter. This new apartment however is going to turn things around for her! She feels this could be the positive change she needs. Soon after they move in however they start noticing small needle like bite marks on their daughter Charlie and soon she isn’t quite behaving as she used to. The other residents of this complex are odd, quirky and unconventional. What is it that makes them so unique?

This is a perfectly scary, frightening story filled with suspense and tension. If you’re looking for well written horror novel that has some intense visual imagery that quite possibly could make you gag…😆make sure you grab yourself a copy of this one! This book covers many topics like grief, parenthood, postpartum depression, marriage struggles and the need to be accepted. It does cover a lot of topics and once again the authors note made me appreciate the book even more. Make sure to read it!

This was horror at its finest. The perfect October read. If you're a fan of King, you'll enjoy Cassidy. I highly recommend.

Woww, the horror has been…. horrific lately. Nestlings seemingly follows the “recipe” of old school horror like Rosemary’s Baby, but brings in modern elements and characters with way more depth.

When Ana, Reid, and their almost one year old, Charlie, get selected for the housing lottery in NYC - they are ecstatic. They tour The Deptford, a beautiful building with gargoyles and incredible decor. It is even walking distance to Reid’s work. They really have won the lottery!

Even though the vibes are off, they can’t pass up this opportunity. What ensues is an absolute creep-fest. Listening to this one on audio during my NIGHTTIME commute was very spooky at times, and I found myself fully immersed in The Deptford and it’s residents. I rarely listen to audiobooks outside of my drive time, but I took headphones to bed to finish this one. 😱

The afterword read by the author made me cry. I was already impressed with how well a male author had written female characters, especially in regards to the themes of childbirth and motherhood. But hearing the background and the amount of research put into this one blew my mind. I’ve never read Cassidy’s other works but I’m greatly looking forward to checking out Mary.

Preorder this one now if you like gargoyles, horror, New York City, creepy doormen, and even creepier babies.

P.s. the way the words “juice box” are used in this one have ruined juice boxes for me forever…. IYKYK.

I couldnt stop listening to this. I also could not figure out what was happening! Very thrilling. I spent all my time listening to this book, or thinking about it and what could possibly be going on. At first I thought it was just a thrilling kinda scary book about post partum psychosis but it is way more interesting! When things seem too good to be true they probably are! This is a great 4🌟 read.

📕One thing Rosemary’s Baby taught me was apartment lotteries are rigged, don’t live in an apartment complex where you don’t see another person like you, and if people know more about you than you know about them and you didn’t volunteer the information, RUN! Nestlings is the reminder of these three rules in a similar but even creepier setting
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📗Bring in New York apartments with histories. Bring in posh neighbors. Bring in kids changing characters faster than diapers. Bring in obsessed husbands who thinks they know “how to protect their girls”. Bring in gargoyles that might not be gargoyles. I loved every bit of this book and how contemporary it was. It make people’s reaction to the damn apartment building more drastic
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📘In addition to reading this book in the spooky season, I highly recommend reading Author’s Note too. It explains a lot 😂 I can see myself writing this horror book after going through the horrors author had mentioned!

After reading Nat Cassidy's horror take on menopause in his debut novel Mary last year, I couldn't wait to find out how he'd bring the scares in Nestlings, a book about new motherhood. And I'm so pleased to say that he impressed me and dazzled me yet again with his brilliant, insightful, and deliciously frightening new novel.

Ana and Reid Greene have just won the housing lottery, literally: Their names have been drawn for an affordable housing apartment in the Deptford, a luxurious apartment building in the heart of Manhattan with stunning views of Central Park and gorgeous Gothic architecture. And Ana and Reid definitely need something good to happen in their lives. After a traumatic labor that left Ana paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, and a racist landlord that has made their lives difficult for months, Ana and Reid are ready for a fresh start in their new home with their one-year-old daughter, Charlie. But they soon realize that there's something strange about the residents of the Deptford...

Cassidy himself describes Nestlings as Rosemary's Baby meets 'Salem's Lot, and while that is certainly an apt description, Nestlings is entirely its own original, frightening thing. Cassidy is an incredible storyteller, creating tension and suspense and offering genuine scares while also providing thought-provoking, poignant insights about several important topics. Nestlings is a horror novel, yes -- one that is packed with unsettling imagery and viscerally disturbing scenes -- but it is also a book about the complexities of marriage and parenthood, ableism, antisemitism, postpartum depression, navigating through grief, and the inherently human need for acceptance and belonging.

As a mom, I never would have thought that a male author could make me feel so seen -- but Cassidy definitely did. And as an avid fan of the horror genre, I don't say this lightly, but Nestlings may honestly be one of the best horror novels I've ever read. It's just so perfectly executed -- a horror novel that is so human, that has so much heart. And be sure not to skip the Author's Note, because it will make you appreciate the book even more.

I listened to the audio version of Nestlings read by Cassandra Campbell, who did a fantastic job of narration. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the early listening opportunity.

Gripping, shocking, creepy, and so hard to put down!!!! I was intrigued by the synopsis of the book and was completely blown away when I gave it a listen! I had a hard time putting this book aside as I was completely sucked in and fully invested in the well thought out page turner!

Ana and Reid have been under a lot of stress and life changes lately. Ana is wheelchair bound after the birth to their daughter, Charlie. Reid has taken on the role of caretaker for both his wife and his baby. They are over the moon when they win an apartment in the luxurious Deptford building. It boasts stunning architecture with views of Central Park. It is a dream location and comes at a great time in their lives. Sure, the other residents are a little odd, a little eccentric and a little mysterious, but you can't beat the views or the affordable housing.

Moving is hard enough.......

WOWZA! This is horror at its best. I loved the tension, the dread, the unease, the mounting sense that something isn't quite right, and the creepy tone of the book. I love books that have hair standing up on the back of my neck! Plus, the atmosphere! The Deptford is the perfect stage for this modern horror story that has an old time feel to it.

If you are looking to be amazed, spooked, shocked, and entertained then look no further!!! Seriously, it's that good! This book is well written, has vivid descriptions that put me right there in the action, and is perfectly paced. Nestlings played out like a movie in my mind which made sense as the author has a vast experience in the entertainment industry.

I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration! Very well done. The author's very personal and moving note is also a must.

Well written, shocking, gripping, entertaining and hard to put down!!! If Nat Cassidy is not on your radar, he needs to be!

I finished this book two days ago and I still have no words. Suggestions: do not listen to this if you are walking through an apartment building by yourself, or quite honestly doing anything by yourself especially if you have a baby, have gargoyles on your building. Do read this book if you like horror, being scared, and are not overly squeamish. There’s a lovely sensitivity warning before the book - it will touch all of those things. Beware and enjoy!

Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook version of this book and thanks Nat Cassidy for an excellent horror story.

This is the first book that I have read by Nat Cassidy. What a book it is! I wouldn't recommend reading this at night however if you do have all the lights on and lock your doors and windows! This books follows Ana and Reid and Charlie thier infant daughter. Ana and Reid enter into a lottery for reduced rent in New York city. They never thought that they would actually win. When they view the apartment at the historic building the Deptford it is on the top floor of the building, Ana knows that it wil work out since she is in a wheel chair. They are given just a few days to take the apartment or it will go to the next family on the list. Once they move in their personalities start to change and they can't remember what is truly bothering them about the apartment, the staff, and the building itself. This book is has a lot of twists and turns and not for the faint of heart. I found the concept of the book facsinating. What would it be like to live in a historic building that had some kind of paranormal activity happening inside.

I don't have much to say except every single part of this book was excellent. I savored every single minute. The story was fantastic, the narration was fantastic. Loved how the characters were built. Nat Cassidy is absolutely an autobuy author for me! I can't thank Macmillan Audio enough for the ALC.

This is my first Cassidy experience and I was absolutely blown away! This book is brilliant. Plain and simple. Part horror, psychological thriller, political commentary, and drama all while tackling some very serious topics. That sounds like a lot right? But it was so beautifully written that I stayed completely wrapped up in the story from the first page to the last. The writing style was reminiscent of Fredrik Backman, if Backman wrote horror. Perfectly depicting human emotion and human actions.
Starting from the very beginning , there was a constant underlying feeling of dread. This book was deeply unsettling and had some intensely heart pounding scenes. The main characters were flawed but in the most relatable of ways. Nat Cassidy had a story to tell and every single scene, every single chapter had a purpose. It all added up to an amazing and impactful read! You HAVE to check this one out.
*If audiobooks are your thing, Cassandra Campbell was perfection 🤌🏼 a new contender for my favorite narrator!*

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Nat Cassidy has created something special here. Ana and her husband Reid have just won the housing lottery-- literally. They've been selected for a spot in a super swanky apartment that allots a certain number of units for lower income families. And boy do they need this break. After giving birth, becoming paralyzed, the death of a parent, severe post partum depression, and the daily reality of a shitty commute to a shitty job, they really need a fresh start in the city. But the luxurious and unusual Deptford building is hiding some sinister secrets, and things in their new home quickly start to go awry.

This book quickly drew me into Ana and Reid's messy, traumatic life, and it kept me engrossed with their increasingly creepy new home. I really enjoyed Ana as a protagonist and enjoyed the disability and Jewish representation. I rarely find a horror novel where I genuinely appreciate the ending, but this one really worked for me.

If you like monster horror, this is the book for you! Absolutely loved this book. It’s got monsters, creepy buildings and weird babies, all the best things.

This book is about a couple that has been going through a rough time following the birth of their daughter and suddenly everything starts going right, until it doesn’t. They win an exclusive offer to move into one of the most historic and mysterious buildings in New York but when they move in weird things begin to happen and their baby starts behaving strangely.

This book disgusted me, freaked me out, and scared the crap out of me and I loved every minute of it.

This just might be my favourite read for Spooky Season. Nat Cassidy has a comfy style to his horror with characters so well fleshed out, you can’t help but love em. This is the new-age Rosemary’s Baby that we didn’t know we needed. Absolutely brilliant!

Described as Rosemary’s Baby meets Salem’s Lot. This is a fun, new horror book guaranteed to creep you out!

Now I’m a huge Rosemary’s Baby fan. I collect every copy of the book I can get my hands on and I watch the movie religiously. So I’m gonna be a little more sensitive when you try to say a book is like Rosemary’s Baby. And it seems to have become very popular lately with a lot of new books/shows popping up inspired by the classic. Nestlings is different enough in all the right ways that it doesn’t feel like a copy. The only thing similar really is an old, historic apartment building with a dark history and eccentric tenants. Though there is a little mention of the Bramford!


I love the idea of a Jewish take on vampires. Because you never hear storylines like that!

One thing I love about Nat Cassidy’s books is the author’s notes before/after the book. I love hearing what inspired the storylines from the most mundane to harrowing experiences. It’s cool to see how the process from idea to book is done. He wanted to include important themes in this story involving grief, representation of disabilities in horror, anti semitism, and parenthood. But he does it in a way that doesn’t feel preachy or distract from the story.

I listened to the audiobook and I felt like the narrator did a great job distinguishing between the different characters.

I definitely recommend checking it out if you are looking for a unique take on a classic idea. Thank you to NetGalley, Nat Cassidy, and Macmillan Audio. I have written this review voluntarily.

Anna and Reid have had a very hard couple years. Anna struggled to become pregnant and then had a traumatic birth that left her legs paralyzed and has confined her to a wheelchair. They think their luck has started to change when they are chosen for the affordable housing program. They move into The Deptford, a beautiful old apartment building they never would have been able to afford otherwise. This building houses celebrities and has a strange history.

After they move, their baby, Charlie, starts to act differently. She now cries all the time and has left all of them sleep deprived. Anna starts to hear weird things on the baby monitor, and see’s weird things outside the window of Charlie’s room. Reid only seems to care about learning the history of the building. He becomes friendly with one of the elderly residents, an ex glamorous movie star. From this point on, their lives will never be the same.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, it was very creepy and perfect for this time of year. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nat Cassidy & MacMillan Audio for an audio arc of Nestlings in exchange for an honest review.

I was bummed when I was told there were no physical galleys for the Nestlings, but getting the audio was even better. There was a lot of buzz around this title and I was extremely excited to get to read/listen to it.

Synopsis (quoted):

"Ana and Reid needed a lucky break.

The horrifically complicated birth of their first child has left Ana paralyzed, bitter, and struggling: with mobility, with her relationship with Reid, with resentment for her baby. That's about to change with the words any New Yorker would love to hear—affordable housing lottery.

They've won an apartment in the Deptford, one of Manhattan's most revered buildings with beautiful vistas of Central Park and stunning architecture.

Reid dismisses disturbing events and Ana’s deep unease and paranoia as the price of living in New York—people are odd—but he can't explain the needle-like bite marks on the baby."

I wanted to like this story so badly & kept listening in hopes that it would turn around for me. It did not. It only got worse and I absolutely HATED the ending. I didn't like any of the characters, didn't like the setting (I usually LOVE hotel/apartment type settings) - it just wasn't a good fit for me.

I do 100% believe that this is just my feeling. I do not think that the book was poorly written or that it is a bad story. In fact, I feel like a lot of people will actually love this book.

I am giving a neutral 3/5 stars. I likely will not promote it on my IG, but I also will not mention anything negative either.

This felt a smidge longer than necessary, but some parts honestly made me feel nauseous (and I mean that as a compliment!). I would absolutely recommend this to someone who loves creepy horror novels.