Amid a hurricane, secrets can kill!

Nineteen-year-old Charley Kelley is a maid at the prestigious Precipice Hotel in Maine. The hotel's owner, George Bishop, has died, and his three daughters, Vickie, Fatih, and Iris, are coming to stay for the will reading. Their arrival comes at the same time that a hurricane is about to make landfall, trapping everyone indoors.

Vickie is the oldest sister. She comes with her husband, Todd, and their son Quinn also arrives.

Faith, who used to be a famous model, is there with her wife, Hope, and their teenage son Olive,r who likes to speak in rhyme.

Iris is an ex-convict who "found Jesus" and is sober now.

In attendance is also George Bishop's lawyer, Mrs. Black.

After the will is read, one of the family members dies, and someone begins to leave poems alerting them of the consequences of keeping secrets and asking them to reveal them within the night, or another death will follow. No one is safe, and there is nowhere to run.

One Big Happy Family had several parts, and although I enjoyed it, it was not as good as The Block Party. Charley's character was interesting, and I felt invested in her. She was in a tough spot, trying to make ends meet for herself and her grandmother. I was rooting for her to come out of it alive.

In the midst of a hurricane, secrets can kill!

Nineteen-year-old Charley Kelley works as a maid at the prestigious Precipice Hotel in Maine. The owner, George Bishop, has died, and his three daughters—Vickie, Faith, and Iris—are arriving at the hotel for the reading of his will. Their visit coincides with an approaching hurricane that’s about to make landfall, trapping everyone inside.

Vickie, the eldest sister, arrives with her husband, Todd, and their son, Quinn.

Faith, a former famous model, is accompanied by her wife, Hope, and their teenage son, Oliver, who enjoys speaking in rhymes.

Iris, an ex-convict who “found Jesus,” is now sober.

Also in attendance is George Bishop’s lawyer, Mrs. Black.

After the will is read, one of the family members dies, and someone begins leaving poems that warn of the consequences of keeping secrets. The notes demand that the truth be revealed by the end of the night—or another death will follow. No one is safe, and there’s nowhere to escape.

One Big Happy Family unfolds in several parts. While I enjoyed it, it didn’t quite measure up to The Block Party. Charley’s character was compelling, and I felt invested in her story. She was in a tough spot, struggling to support herself and her grandmother, and I was rooting for her to survive the night.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day was an entertaining and easy read with a great setting and a mix of messy family drama and suspense. I really liked the coastal hotel during the hurricane—it added a nice level of tension without being too over the top. The characters were interesting, especially Charley, whose perspective helped balance out the family dynamics. Some twists were a little predictable, but I still enjoyed the overall ride and found myself wanting to see how it would all play out. A solid, enjoyable thriller with a unique backdrop.

I really enjoy every Jamie Day book i have read, however of the 3 i've read i think this one is my least favorite. It felt predictable and the locked room aspect/family will felt overdone. I did enjoy it and was surprised by the twist, it just wasnt my favorite by this author.

If you love messy family drama, stormy coastlines, and locked-room mysteries, One Big Happy Family will absolutely deliver. I’m a sucker for big family dynamics (I come from one myself!), but the Bishop family? They take things to another level entirely.

This story revolves around three sisters—not so much bonded by love as they are shackled by a dark, dangerous secret. They reunite at their family’s grand old hotel, The Precipice, perched on the rugged Maine coast, for the reading of their father’s will. But instead of closure, they find chaos. There’s a storm barreling in, the staff has their own shady secrets, a mysterious stowaway is lurking, and soon... there’s a dead body. It becomes a classic locked-room mystery—no phone signal, no way out, and way too many suspects.

What I enjoyed most was the tension threaded throughout the story. Everyone—and I do mean everyone—has something to hide. The twists kept coming, and the tangled web of lies, betrayals, and simmering resentment between the sisters made for an entertaining, drama-filled ride. It’s juicy, it’s chaotic, and it has just enough heart to make you care about these characters even as they sabotage each other.

As one sister quips: this family puts the fun in dysfunction. And really, that line sums it up perfectly. This was a fast-paced, bingeable read that felt like a soap opera wrapped in a whodunit—and I was totally here for it.

I enjoyed Jamie Day's debut immensely and I couldn't wait to read One Big Happy Family. While it definitely took me longer to get to this one than I would have liked, it was worth the wait, so to speak, and I loved this twist packed ride! The family drama was on point as was the tension that starts up after the entire family arrives and people start dying. There is a certain someone I was definitely suspicious of, and to some extent I was right to be though I had no idea of what was to come. I didn’t love any of the characters, but I did like Charley an awful lot and she was very easy to relate to.

The audiobook was a bit of a mixed bag for me and while I normally love Saskia Maarleveld’s narration, it was slightly off for One Big Happy Family. I didn’t find her pacing to be very consistent, and it took me a minute to figure out what speed was best to listen to her at. Once I got that figured out I really enjoyed it though I would expect a 19-year-old to sound younger than her voice. I honestly kept forgetting Charley was that young as she feels like a much older and wiser character. I loved the ending and the journey it was to get there. Another winner from Day for me and I can’t wait to read her next release.

Read this if you are looking for: A vibrant and atmospheric setting, dysfunctional families, and shocking secrets.

Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫

The impending bad weather is not the only storm brewing, one is also coming with the convergence of family members after three death of a loved one. There were a lot of characters and it was a bit difficult for me to comprehend who was who. After slowing my reading down, I was able to become invested in the story and enjoyed the twists offered in this psychological thriller. This story might not have hit the bullseye for me, but close enough for me to want to read other books by this other and appreciate the author’s writing. 3.5- 3.75 stars
Thank you to the author and St. Martin’s Press for the electronic copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3 STARS⭐⭐⭐

I’m giving this one 3 stars because, while it had potential, the plot just didn’t hold my attention. The pacing felt off at times, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. There were a few moments that stood out, but overall it was just okay for me. This was not a bad read, it's just one that I wouldn't rush to pick up again.

This was a solid read, not as good as her first, but still had me hooked throughout and wanting to know what will happen next

I had high hopes for Jamie Day's "One Big Happy Family," especially after enjoying the initial chapters. The premise of intertwined family lives and hidden secrets immediately drew me in, promising a compelling narrative. Unfortunately, like my previous experience with Day's work, the storyline ultimately fell flat.
The book begins with a captivating exploration of the characters' dynamics and the subtle tensions simmering beneath the surface. Day's ability to create a sense of intrigue in those early pages is undeniable. However, as the plot progressed, the momentum waned. The characters, who initially felt complex and nuanced, became increasingly one-dimensional, and the supposed "secrets" felt predictable and underwhelming.
The pacing became uneven, with moments of drawn-out exposition followed by rushed resolutions. The emotional depth I anticipated never materialized, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters' struggles. The writing itself is competent, but it lacked the spark needed to elevate the story beyond its basic plot points.
This is the second book I've read by Jamie Day, and while both started strong, neither managed to maintain the initial intrigue. It's a shame, as the author clearly possesses the ability to craft engaging beginnings. However, the lack of satisfying payoff in the later chapters leaves much to be desired.
Ultimately, "One Big Happy Family" is a passable read, but it fails to deliver on its initial promise. If you're looking for a quick, light read, it might suffice. However, if you're seeking a deeply engaging and emotionally resonant story, you'll likely be disappointed. 2 ½ stars, rounded down to 2.

One Big Happy Family is a captivating book that will have you turning pages until the end. This takes place in Maine during the summer and has secrets, lies, family drama and so much more. The author did a great job writing this one and I look forward to reading more books from this author. All of the characters were good in it. The book was the perfect read for the summer. I highly enjoyed this one and would recommend it to any reader who loves thrillers or mysteries. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this read in exchange of my honest review of One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day.

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘
🏨 Locked-room mysteries with family drama
🌪 Stormy, atmospheric settings
🔍 Slower-paced thrillers with detailed backstories
🤔 Narrators who may or may not be unreliable
🌀 Twists you might see coming

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
This locked-room mystery, set at the fictional Precipice Hotel in Maine with a hurricane looming, had all the ingredients for a gripping thriller—but unfortunately, it didn’t deliver. The story follows the three Bishop sisters, Iris, Vicki, and Faith, as they gather for the reading of their father’s will, only for secrets to unravel.

The narration comes from Charley, a young maid at the hotel, but I struggled to connect with her from the start. Her characterization felt off—she didn’t read as her age, and the lack of development made it unclear whether she was meant to be unreliable or just poorly written.

As for the mystery itself? I guessed the twist the moment Bree was introduced. The first half of the book dragged, and the deep dive into the sisters' backstory in Part II completely stalled the plot. While I understand the need for context, it made the book predictable rather than intriguing.

As a fan of thrillers, this one fell flat for me. The slow pacing, lack of strong character development, and predictable twists made it a disappointing read.

One Big Happy Family is an aptly named book, in two ways. It speaks of two families: the Bishops, who have just inherited the Precipice Hotel after the tragic demise of their father. It also speaks of the "family" that now finds themselves trapped at The Precipice after the storm, Larry, hits. In a typical closed-room fashion, strange things start happening, including deaths. How can these deaths be explained, and who will be next on the killer's list?

Overall the characters were fairly good. They were each mysterious and a bit suspicious, the perfect combination for a mystery thriller, of course. I definitely had all of them in mind, and I was able to keep track of the various characters pretty well. The characters all had relationship issues between them, but it was hard to say what the secrets they were all harbouring were. There was good suspense generated just by virtue of these characters, but I did find the character of Oliver a little bit unrealistic, and just kind of weird. The extra characters that arrived at the Precipice hotel in addition to the main players I felt was also not integrated fully well. It was a cool set-up to have the suspense of a stowaway, but as the story progressed, it didn't fully make sense to me why she was there—it felt like she was just planted there for dramatic effect, which I suppose she was.

That being said though, I did enjoy the story in terms of the suspense. There were a lot of suspenseful moments, and the author chose the timing of reveals and new information pretty well. I enjoyed the pacing for the most part so I did read through it pretty quickly. My only concern here is some of the slightly less plausible storylines that I had to push through. Most things were explained eventually so there wasn't as much "supernatural" events going on as was kind of suggested, but the focus on such events to explain the mystery didn't work for me. However, commentary aside, I felt that the story was well paced and the suspense was generally quite good.

The climax of the story was decent, albeit a bit predictable by the time we got close. There were good twists and turns on the way, and it was still an exciting story, but I felt like I definitely lost some of the momentum right at the climax, even though I wouldn't say it was badly written. Maybe it's my experience with these kinds of books, but I didn't feel too surprised by the big reveal, which really tampered the suspense for me. The denouement was good though, and the tying up of all the loose ends that were laid out were satisfactorily done, so that I felt like I wasn't wondering about much more. There were a lot of what I would call "coincidental" events in this book though, which I felt made it even more tenuous for plausibility.

Overall I enjoyed reading the book, and it definitely had moments where it shone and I felt that it was a strong contender for being a 4 Drink Me Potions book. However, the interspersed portions where I wasn't fully bought on really did take away from it for me, so I will have to land on the 3.5. While the story might have been slightly over-manufactured, I still mostly enjoyed the journey and trying to figure out the "solution" to the riddle(s) anyway, so points for the book there. This may be the book for you if you enjoy just reading in the moment suspense, and don't worry too much about plausibility.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I'm not sure how to rate this. I liked it but...

I can say there were a lot of twists and turns and the "who done it" was a surprise. I guess I didn't like any of the characters in this one. The suspense is what kept me going.

When the owner of the Precipice passes away. His family comes in to go over the will. What seems like a simple normal thing, turns into a suspenseful story. Full of twists and turns. With an ending you will not believe.

Big Happy Family by Jamie Day

Generational family drama is often chaotic and drama-filled, and boy, was this no different.
I loved how this story was told. The way things unfolded and the twists and secrets were deliciously delivered.
This book has quite a cast of characters, and it seems everyone needs something. The biggest twist was delivered like a kick to the ribs, but it was also so well orchestrated that I did not see it coming.
Everything about this novel was captivating—the scenery, the people, the drama. I devoured this book because just when I thought things couldn’t possibly get worse, they did.
Charley was such a relatable character. She was kind and hardworking and wanted to care for her beloved nana. She was such a fantastic character.
The sisters were… a lot. But their development was so well done that you felt connected and disconnected. I liked Ollie. He may have been the odd character, but I loved how he interpreted things, and being weird is not bad.
If you like books with remote locations, dynamic characters, and a plot that will take you by surprise, this book is for you. Katy approved!

Publication date: July 16, 2024
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Just another average thriller by Jamie Day. I want impressed, but I didn't hate it either. A locked room mystery with a maid in a hotel. Seems like it's been done before. Overall, just an ok read from me.

*Thank you partners @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook.*

The was my first book by this author and I was delightfully surprised. I liked that it was about a state not far from me and loved the surprises. So enjoyable.

Could this reunion be the death of them?

The Precipice is a legendary, family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine. With the recent passing of their father, the Bishop sisters--Iris, Vicki, and Faith--have come for the weekend to claim it. But with a hurricane looming and each of the Bishop sisters harboring dangerous secrets, there's murder in the air-- and not everyone who checks into the Precipice will be checking out.

Each sister wants what is rightfully hers, and in the mix is the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley Kelley: smart, resilient, older than her years, and in desperate straits.

The arrival of the Bishop sisters could spell disaster for Charley. Will they close the hotel? Fire her? Discover her habit of pilfering from guests? Or even worse, learn that she's using a guest room to hide a woman on the run.

With razor-sharp wit, heart, thrills, and twists, Jamie Day's ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY delivers a unique brand of summertime suspense.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A good book but i didn't find it to be a great book, probably because I really didn't like any of the characters. The suspense was there and kept me reading on but I just found the events of the book to be a little weird and unbelievable.
Would I recommend it to others, I don't know because I think It's a book that won't really remember details of. It was the type of book that I can remember the plot and some details of characters but left me feeling unconnected.

Charley has a great job at The Precipice. She may take a few things as she cleans the rooms, but will the wealthy guests really miss it?! However, Charley's job as maid is threatened when the hotel's owner passes away and his daughters come to claim their inheritance. Will they fire her for the thefts or the fact that she is protecting a woman using one of their rooms?

This book was very reminiscent of the dysfunctional family from Knives Out.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.