Like omg what a heart stopping book I was hooked from start to finish what a strong young lady Sam is this book is a must download

This is a slow burn especially in the beginning. It picks up and is about a harrowing foster home situation. Had me hooked and I really enjoyed this one! I will definitely be going back and reading some of his other books.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC,

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review.
I’ve reviewed a few of this authors books and this is definitely one of their strongest .
Every parents nightmare is not being able to help your child but what about if you’re part of the reason they are in the situation.
Gripping , chilling and fast paced .
Thought provoking because as a parent I was asking myself what would I do ??

😮‍💨 I did NOT like this book... honestly, I should have DNF'ed but I gave it a chance. it was plain boring. ⭐ (1 star)

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this earc! This was one Captivating suspense novel! I’m excited to look into more of the authors work in the future.

The characters, Jesse and Sam, would be classified as “survivalists” and the author really hones in on this aspect. It starts with Sam trying to survive as a teenager daughter of a dad with many issues including depression, PTSD and suicidal tendencies. Jesse is trying to survive the battle of his mind and trying his best in the meantime to teach his daughter life skills. As the plot thickens, we see that these skills are what makes Sam be able to survive and also help others as she endures the horrible foster home of the Bradfords. Survival is essential, no matter what it takes for these two and as a reader I was fully captivated and had my fingers crossed that both would be able to do exactly that. At times, this was a tough read because I was struck with the realization that things like this happen all the time in real life. It is for that aspect that I would caution any reader that has gone through similar experiences to be aware of before picking this book up, in case it would hit too close to home.
Overall, job well done by Theo Baxter. I would definitely read another of his books in a heartbeat.

After finishing this book, I feel all sorts of ways. Although there wasn't any mind blowing twists in my opinion, the writing was still decent and the book kept me interested the whole way through. It did start off a little slow, but I think that was necessary to show the father/daughter relationship that Sam and Jesse had. The story line sheds alot of light on the disturbing and sickening things that can and does still happen in the real world. I would recommend people to maybe research the overall story plot of this book before reading, in case there might be some triggers for the reader! Overall, I enjoyed this book & give it 4 stars!

What a fantastic start to my 2025 reading! This book grabbed me from the very first page and refused to let go. I was completely captivated by Sam's story and the fate of the other girls in the foster home. The fast-paced plot kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened next. Absolutely loved it, and I'm excited to read more from this author!

When teenager Sam's life is turned upside down after being removed from the care of her father and placed into foster care. Stuck out in the middle of nowhere and cut off from everyone and everything she has ever known. Sam begins to realise that all is not as it should be and that something is seriously wrong here.
This book has me hooked by the end of the first page! I could not put it down, it was packed full of twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! This is the first time I have read a book written by Theo Baxter and I was not disappointed! I look forward to reading more.
There are multiple trigger warnings for this book, please make sure you look into these prior to reading

The Other Family started quiete slow - I really thought about not finishing it. In hindsight though it was needed to build a connection to Sam and Jesse.

After Jesses mental breakdown things take a turn for the worse and Sam is put with the Bradfords. From that moment I couldn't put down the book and had to know how on earth Sam will get away from those psychos!

The story was written from two POVs (Sam and Jesse) and both views were needed to understand them better. The girls in that house made me so angry because I just couldn't understand why on earth they didn't really do anything (even after Sam arrives).

At least towards the end they woke up and fought and the ending was great.

So. this was my first book of 2025 and honestly I was not much impressed.
Sam, a 15-year old is sent to a foster family after her mother's death and father's mental breakdown and the foster family is weird, has secrets, got some weird ways to punish kids, a locked door and everything which might make a book interesting. But, this one fell flat. The inital chapters were too slow, after that same things kept on reapeating, It took almost 3-4 chapters for her father to lose her custody.
Intial chapters were too slow and later the chapters has so many things going on!

This was a dark and disturbing book that is told from 2 different POVs; a father and a daughter. The majority of the book is from Samantha’s POV, but some chapters are from Jesse and how he struggles with losing custody of his daughter after an attempt to kill himself. It does discuss PTSD on soldiers who fought in times of war, and that also apparently made the father into a survivalist. There is an anti government theme through the books as well, be it law enforcement or the military as a whole. The story moves quickly but it also goes to dark places when Samantha is placed with a foster family.

This is definitely probably gonna be a top read of 2025!!! I really enjoyed this one. It was hard to put down. It kept me wanting more. The characters are amazing! And I love the title and the story line. Such an amazing book!

I try to start all my reviews with something positive, but for this book, all I can say is, that I finished it and I'm glad the girls got the ending they did.
Apart from that, the book has the writing style of the average wattpad fanfiction, no twists and turns and no tension arc.
Overall the book had a big pacing issue. The first 25% were extremely drawn out for no reason and the last few chapters were stuffed to the limit.
All the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. The characters were one dimensional (up until the end, when at least Chloe got a little personality) and their motivations were very simplyfied.
Also, I didn't feel like Jesse's POV chapters added anything to the book, except for like the last three when stuff finally started happening.

Still, thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Review: The Other Family by Theo Baxter
Pub Date Jan 26 2025
General Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
My Rating:🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Thank you @netgalley @inkubatorbooks


The Other Family is a mind-blowing psychological thriller that completely left me in silence and deep thought after finishing it. It’s the kind of book that grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go until the shocking, satisfying ending.

The story follows fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton, a brave and resourceful girl who’s been through immense trauma. After losing her mother and witnessing her father’s mental breakdown, Sam is placed in the custody of the Bradfords, a foster family that initially seems religious and well-meaning. But appearances can be deceiving.

The Bradfords’ home is a nightmare in disguise—a place where the rules are cruel, punishments are horrifying, and the house itself is filled with dark secrets. Sam is stripped of her identity, forced into ugly clothes, and subjected to endless chores while being watched by cameras at every turn. The house, isolated in the middle of nowhere, is designed to trap its victims, with no way out.

As Sam uncovers the sinister truth about the Bradfords and the fate of the girls who lived there before her, the tension skyrockets. The forbidden rooms, the eerie monitoring, and the disappearances create an atmosphere of dread that keeps you glued to the pages. Sam's realization that no one is coming to save her is chilling, but her determination to fight back and protect the other girls is nothing short of inspiring.

This book is horrifying in its realism, shedding light on the dark realities that exist in some corners of the world. The vivid descriptions of the punishments, the secret room, and the constant fear create an unforgettable experience. The ending was both satisfying and heart-pounding, giving closure while leaving a lasting impression.

If you love fast-paced, unputdownable thrillers with shocking twists, The Other Family is a must-read. Theo Baxter delivers a gripping tale of survival, courage, and resilience. Highly recommended.

#TheOtherFamily #NetGalley.

This book was amazing! The author described the characters so well. The foster home with all the secrets had me wanting more.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

A great thriller, had me on the edge of my seat despite the slower start, didn't see the twists coming, captivating writing and palpable tension, would recommend for fans of Jewell or McFadden

Awesome book!! Great author! Will be looking for more!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Other Family promised an intriguing premise of psychological suspense but ultimately falls short.

We follow fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton as she grapples with the trauma of losing her mother and her father Jesse's mental collapse, landing her in the care of the mysterious and remote Bradford family. At first, the Bradfords seem like a devout and upright household, but their oppressive rules, hidden rooms, and invasive surveillance quickly suggest something far more sinister.

Baxter succeeds in creating a dark and foreboding atmosphere, that I have to give it to him. However, the novel’s execution falters in repetitive writing, the overuse of "I gritted my teeth," grated on me and detracted me from the story whenever it came up.

I didn't agree with the survivalist part of the characters, sorry. It was difficult to root for anyone at the start.

While the premise is promising, the narrative struggled to deliver. The key plot felt predictable, and the climactic moments lack the payoff one might expect in a psychological thriller. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this, but do approach with tempered expectations.

In The Other Family by Theo Baxter, 15-year-old Sam Cotton is placed in foster care after a series of tragedies uproot her life. She moves into the Bradford home, a place that seems perfect on the surface but harbors dark secrets. As Sam struggles to adjust to her new life, she begins to notice unsettling events and discovers that the family she thought she could trust might not be what they seem. The Other Family was an okay read for me. While categorized as a thriller, it felt more like a young adult story due to its focus on the perspective of a 15-year-old narrator. The plot leaned toward predictability, and I found myself questioning whether some of the characters would fully develop their storylines. The book does include some heavy topics, so I would recommend a trigger warning for potential readers which is included at the beginning. Despite its flaws, it’s a decent read for those looking for a lighter mystery with some emotional undertones.