2/5 stars! This is one of those psychological thrillers that just picked something SO outlandish that nothing could reel me in as a reader. Ahh yes; religious zealouts in a rural area do bad things...I've never heard that before. Maybe it's just me, but it never caught my attention so I didn't really care about Sam's escape attempts.

5 stars for the latest book from Theo Baxter. It was a book that I did not want to put down and was upset when finished!

This opened with a family that has a dad battling mental health issues and also a prepper. At first, I thought this story was strange and was going to be a trigger because, well, the world is falling apart right now, but it quickly changed into a locked room style thriller. Sam is in foster care but has to find a way back to her dad. Once that part of the story started, I couldn't put it down and had to see how Sam was going to fight back and win against the evil foster parents. Was a quick fast paced read.

The whole time I read this book I caught myself thinking "who hurt you, Theo?". This was the kind of read that I could not put down, but at the same time would really want to. My heart broke for Sam, a teen girl that lost her mother and had to watch her father's battle with his mental health. I found myself angry with the social worker and with law enforcement officers. I would comfort myself saying this would never happen in real life, and then be hit with the reality that some of these situations DO happen.
This was very character driven. At least for Sam and her father. Some of the other characters felt slapped together because they were necessary for the story line. I loved Sam's belief in her father and how she never gave up on him.
I was not the biggest fan of the ending. It felt rushed. There was a lot of development to the story in a very quick span of time. Both reading wise and in the storyline. Just bam bam bam. I'm not sure if you have watched The Office, but if you have, think of Michael Scott's improv classes and Threat Level Midnight. The last part of the book read to me like it was inspired by a Michael Scott film.
At the end of the day though, this is a great read. You'll get mad, you'll get sad, you'll feel hopeful and you'll be shot down again. I would recommend.
Thank you Theo Baxter for the read. Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the chance to enjoy this.

This book grabs you immediately, drawing you into a whirlwind of twists and dynamic characters that keep you turning pages. The perfect mix of suspense and insight leaves you craving more with every chapter, and the underlying message really hits home. I can’t recommend it enough!

The moment you dive in, you’re fully invested in a narrative that skillfully intertwines suspense with thought-provoking moments. The characters leap off the page, and the pacing keeps you riveted until the end, making this one of the most unputdownable reads I’ve ever enjoyed.

This book was a crazy wild ride I had trouble putting my kindle down. There were so many times that my jaw physically dropped. My heart breaks for Sam and even at times Jesse, her father (even though he’s the one who put Sam in a bad to an even worse situation). This was definitely a slow burn with a lot of unlikable characters but I was hooked from the beginning. I will definitely be checking out more books by Theo Baxter Please check the trigger warnings before diving into this book! Thank you so much NetGalley for being sharing this ARC with me.

Thank you for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. This novel was intriguing from the first page. I felt for the main character, Samantha, immediately as the author conveyed her struggles so eloquently and allowed readers to feel like they were present in the actual story. Definitely recommend!

This book was fun. Very forgettable but fun. Very kindle unlimited. It won't be winning any awards or breaking any bestseller lists, but I got lost in it. Nice distraction.

Suspenseful book that is a must read. I thought one thing and I was totally wrong. This book has the right amount of suspense to keep you at the edge of your seat the whole time.

2 stars. This didn’t read like a thriller to me—there were no real twists or turns. While it tackles dark themes (check content warnings), it felt more like a grim family drama than a suspenseful ride. The setup had potential, but the story dragged, and the tension never fully delivered. If you’re looking for a gripping psychological thriller, this one might disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley & Inkubator Books for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

📖 Genre: Psychological Thriller ⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

📚 Overview
The Other Family by Theo Baxter is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the harrowing experiences of fifteen-year-old Samantha (Sam) Cotton. Following the death of her mother and her father's subsequent mental breakdown, Sam is placed into foster care with the seemingly devout Bradford family. However, beneath their pious exterior lies a web of dark secrets, leading Sam into a perilous situation where her resilience and wit become her only means of survival.

🧐 What I Loved
✔ Compelling Protagonist: Sam's character is both relatable and inspiring. Her strength and resourcefulness in the face of adversity make her a protagonist worth rooting for.

✔ Atmospheric Tension: Baxter masterfully crafts an unsettling atmosphere within the Bradford household, heightening the suspense and keeping readers on edge.

✔ Thoughtful Handling of Sensitive Topics: The novel addresses heavy themes such as abuse and mental health with care, ensuring depth without resorting to gratuitous detail.

🤔 What Could Be Better
🔹 Predictability in Plot: Certain plot developments may be anticipated by seasoned thriller readers, potentially diminishing some suspense.

🔹 Supporting Character Depth: While Sam is well-developed, additional depth in secondary characters could enhance the narrative's complexity.

✨ Final Thoughts
The Other Family is a chilling and immersive read that showcases Theo Baxter's ability to intertwine emotional depth with psychological tension. Sam's journey is both heart-wrenching and empowering, making this novel a standout in contemporary thrillers.

📌 Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially for readers who appreciate character-driven psychological thrillers with intense suspense.

Great book.. I couldn't even guess where this book was going. So appreciative of this author's books. They are different type stories. Not sure,how, but he's written some really good books and this was one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley, Theo Baxter and Inkubator Books for an ARC of this thriller. This book was “okay” for me. The subject and content was heavy, although there was a disclaimer at the beginning. Overall a 3.5 star read in my books.

What a page turner. I could not put this books downs. Theo Baxter is an amazing author. The plot twist that takes place leaves you wanting to read more and more. it goes to show how far a parent is willing to go and what they are willing to do for their child. Also, to was trust your extinct and be aware of your surroundings. I love how Theo Baxter emphasizes the importance of teaching your children how to defend and think for themselves. While reading, I felt what Samantha was feeling. I felt her hurt, anger, sadness and powerfulness. Beautifully written. I highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author and publisher, for the advance copy of an honest review.

This book was insane.

I really enjoyed the father daughter dynamic and that the book showed the effects that PTSD can have on a person. In this case though, that PTSD leading to survival instincts being taught literally saved lives and I thought that the ending was very fitting and was what everyone in the book deserved.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and always enjoy a good book by Theo Baxter!

A full review and has been left on Goodreads

The other family by Theo Baxter definitely lives up to its reputation as a nail-biting psychological thriller.

The other family is told in alternating points of view. We see the view of Jesse and his daughter Samantha (Sam). Jesse is former military, struggling with the death of his wife. After a particularly hard day, his daughter Samantha gets placed in foster care.

Samantha is sent to live with Reverend and Mrs. Bradford on their farm in the middle of nowhere. Things take a serious turn when Sam finds herself trapped and in extreme danger at her new foster home. With limited communication to the outside and the Bradford's monitoring her every move, can her dad rescue her before it's too late?

For such a heart pounding, gut wrenching thriller I was pleasantly surprised with how it ended. I will definitely be reading more books by Theo Baxter in the future!

Special thanks to Theo Baxter and Inkubator books for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

3.5 stars
This is a gripping psychological thriller that follows a 15 year old Sam, whose life goes suddenly topsy-turvy after her father, a former military man suffering from PTSD, loses custody of her.
She is sent to live with the Bradfords, a seemingly perfect foster family and Sam initially starts to feel safe, but soon begins to notice disturbing signs that something isn't right. Despite their polite and religious exterior, the Bradfords are hiding dark secrets, including the mysterious disappearances of previous foster children. As Sam uncovers the truth, she must navigate a world of strict rules, constant surveillance, and limited communication, all while trying to raise alarms about the danger she’s in.
The novel starts off slow, but quickly picks up pace, becoming a thrilling and suspenseful ride. Sam’s intelligence and resilience make her a captivating protagonist as she faces unimaginable fear and tries to escape the nightmare she’s found herself in. The story delves into deep themes of trust, manipulation, and survival, with plenty of shocking twists along the way.
This is a dark, uncomfortable read that’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy psychological thrillers, this is a chilling and captivating page-turner.

This story I almost gave up on because the first so many chapters were kind of slow and somewhat repetitive but I was glad I kept going. This was a story that I haven't read in a book ever. Samantha lives with her dad, an ex military man. Her mother had died and it was just the two of them. He has PTSD and was going off the deep end but Sam was always there to stop him. Then all hell breaks loose and he loses his daughter to the state. Sam ends up in a very bad situation and there's no way to get help. What can she do to get out of this nightmare?? Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A young girl is placed into foster care due to her father's mental health. The home is another version of unhealthy.