A chill inducing story that had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath. The beginning was a bit slow but it picks up quickly and knocked my socks off. It was the perfect amount of creepy and thrilling.

Theo Baxter delivers another chilling tale with The Other Family, a gripping psychological thriller that cements his reputation as a master of unsettling narratives. This latest novel may start slowly, but once the tension builds, it exceeds expectations with a storyline that is both captivating and deeply unnerving.

Baxter skillfully creates an atmosphere of dread, weaving together elements of suspense and creepiness that keep readers on edge. What makes this story particularly haunting is its connection to real-life parallels, amplifying its impact. The plausibility of the events, combined with Baxter’s deft storytelling, ensures a story that lingers long after the final page.

Readers should heed the trigger warnings provided, as the book explores dark and potentially distressing themes. This attention to detail shows Baxter’s care for his audience while allowing him to delve into complex, unsettling subject matter.

Once the narrative picks up pace, it becomes impossible to put down. Baxter’s ability to craft unexpected twists and compelling characters elevates the story, making it one of his creepiest and most memorable works to date. Fans of the genre will appreciate his ability to balance psychological tension with moments of outright horror.

For long-time fans or newcomers to Baxter’s work, The Other Family is a must-read. It’s a testament to his talent and a thrilling addition to his growing body of work. Readers will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting his next novel.

This is a really gripping and thoughful novel, and at times heart rending. It really drew me in, after a slow start, and it was well worth sticking with. I really enjoyed and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.

Although this book took quite a while for me to get into, once the pace picked up, I was completely engrossed all the way through to the end.

Jesse and Sam Cotton are survivalists, classed as outcasts in their small town. But when Jesse has a mental breakdown, things get worse as Sam is taken by social services to live with the Bradfords when Jesse loses custody of his daughter.

I liked the dual POV for this book. Told through the eyes of both Sam and Jesse in different chapters, both characters had a distinct voice of their own, and it was easy to move into the switch of perspective.

Once the book picked up and the Bradfords really got going with their reign of terror, I couldn't put the book down, wanting to know what would happen next.

There were definitely some moments where I questioned why characters would/wouldn't do something, but that is a me problem and nothing to do with the overall story.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

I was fortunate enough to read this as an ARC through Netgalley.
I enjoyed the story, the premise was great, but the writing style just wasn't for me.
I think this would probably suit a YA audience quite well., bearing in mind I've never read anything by this author before, so have nothing to compare to.
Book is due to be released in January 2025,

Well, that was an interesting one! Thanks #netgalley and Theo Baxter for letting me ARC read this book!

What drew me in was the cover and description, we all know the foster system is full of flaws.. Reading this, I had to keep in mind it was fiction but you know.. It could've been true for someone. Fiction like this always has my heart aching. The foster family are hiding behind the name of God but their true selves are closer to the devil than can be.

Jesse, father of Sam will do everything and anything to get her daughter back home. Not trusting the government isn't in his favor as he needs help with his own mental health, luckily he finds someone like minded.

The story had me in it's grip, the only thing I found a bit weird was that the shrink, who was irrelevant to the remaining girls, stepped up to take them in.

A book with mystery and good suspense. Thrilling, not overly so.

Favorite quote from this book:
" Sometimes the only way to overcome your nightmares is to slay the monster plaguing you in the first place "

I was lucky enough to be selected to read this before the official release on 26th Jan 2025 - thanks NetGalley!

This book had me enthralled from the very beginning. The style of writing had me believe I was right there with Sam, living the experiences she was suffering! I can’t remember the last time I read a book that had me so hooked! I will be thoroughly recommend this one!

I haven’t read a book this quickly in as long as I can remember, I stayed up late so many nights just to expose the story a little more. It’s a real page turner and I’ll be thinking about this one for some time to come.

Another great thriller from Theo Baxter. Loved the alternate point of views, the storyline and how tense it was. It was the right amount of creepy, interesting and fast paced. I also enjoyed the father daughter dynamic and the girl power. Loved it!

What a slow and boring book. It felt like it was written by a child. The sentence structure, flow and overall feel was juvenile.

It took so long for Sam to be taken to the other family, and then the days were just repetitive and boring for most of the book. An unfortunate read.

I really enjoyed the other family, I liked how it was told by Sam and Jesse’s points of view., the mystery of what was happening at the Bradford farm and how Sam was going to survive it.

There’s a sinister reason the other girls are so compliant and it’s a horrid one but the ending is well worth hanging in there through it.

You’ll be rooting for Sam, Grace, Chloe & Patricia!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Sam Cotton, a fifteen-year-old girl, is struggling to cope with her mother’s death when her father, Jesse, has a mental breakdown. She’s taken away from him and placed with the Bradfords, a foster family living in an isolated area. They seem like devout, God-fearing individuals, but Sam soon starts to notice some alarming signs. When she discovers that two girls who were previously in their care have mysteriously disappeared, Sam realizes she could be in serious trouble. Smart and resourceful, she’ll need to rely on her wits, as the Bradfords are hiding a dark secret that could lead her into a terrifying nightmare.
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
First and foremost, I suggest looking for trigger warnings before diving into this book, as it includes themes of pedophilia, child abuse, and other sensitive topics. I found the character development, particularly that of Sam, to be incredibly engaging, and I felt a strong sense of empathy for her struggles. It was remarkable to see how Sam applied her survival skills in challenging circumstances. As a parent, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions while reading—there were times I felt heartbroken, frustrated, and even angry. I really valued how the authors portrayed a parent's love. Additionally, I appreciated the thoughtful way the author addressed significant issues such as faith, abuse, the foster care system, and the abuse of power. I would recommend this book when its released in January 2025.

Thank you @Netgalley and @InkubatorBooks for allowing me to review this ARC.

Crazy wild ride of a book, touchy subjects that were written just right to not be too hard to read. So glad of the ending. Perfect.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

I just love Theo Baxter’s writing. His latest, The Other Family was an engaging psychological thriller.

Where to begin...

Having not read any previously released books by this author, I was not sure what to expect. After finishing The Other Family, Theo Baxter is firmly on my radar and bookshelves.

A book of many themes, spanning foster care, family dynamics, crime and resillience, The Other Family manages to keep you on your toes, anxiously awaiting the new revelations that await as you turn each new page.

The book was written at a good pace, enticing you to continue reading, and in a format of dual perspectives, ensuring that the story is portrayed with depth and detail. Would recommend to all who love thrillers and mysteries, and who enjoy delving into the twists and turns that will come.

15-year-old Sam Cotton has been fostered after the death of her mother and her fathers subsequent breakdown.

The Bradford family seem nice and come across as good people, but Sam feels uneasy. There are rooms shhe cannot enter and she is being watched every minute by a camera system.

She discovers that the previous fostered children have disappeared and she starts to uncover secrets about the Bradfords.

This is a tense and disturbing read. The Bradfords control over Sam is clearly evident and the telling of the story gives a more than creepy vibe.

A fab read. that made me shudder

This book wasn't at all what I expected but I really enjoyed it. To be honest I think it is probably more suited to young adults given that the story is told from the point of view of a 15 year old girl. The themes were a bit disturbing but there was nothing gratuitous or explicit. There were some really tense moments along with several shocks that had me jump. All in all it was a good read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Theo Baxter, and Inkubator Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Other Family in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is full of vulnerabilities, so if anyone needs trigger warnings for certain topics, then reader beware. With that said, the tone and atmosphere were really well done. It had an eerie, creepy feeling once the plot got going. Each turn of the page was a question of what would happen next. Unfortunately, I'm sure this could be too close to being true about the foster care system. Another home run in terms of intensity for the author Theo Baxter.

Theo Baxter’s The Other Family is a pulse-pounding thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. With its compelling protagonist and a storyline that weaves suspense, mystery, and raw emotion, this book delivers a gripping tale of survival and courage.

The story follows 15-year-old Sam Cotton, whose life is upended after her mother’s tragic death and her father’s mental breakdown. Placed with the Bradford family, Sam soon discovers that their seemingly devout and orderly home hides dark secrets. Forbidden rooms, invasive surveillance, and unsettling disappearances set the stage for a chilling narrative that explores themes of control, manipulation, and resilience.

Baxter’s writing is both immersive and intense, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere within the remote Bradford home. The characters are richly drawn, with Sam standing out as a smart, resourceful, and deeply relatable heroine. Her journey from grief to empowerment is as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring.

The pacing is relentless, with twists and revelations that kept me guessing until the very end. While the “sinister foster family” trope might feel familiar, Baxter elevates it with a fresh perspective and layers of psychological depth. The story’s exploration of abuse, faith, and the misuse of power is handled with sensitivity, making the book both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling.

Highlights:

The atmospheric setting, which mirrors Sam’s growing sense of entrapment.
The intricate character development, especially Sam’s transformation from vulnerability to strength.
The suspenseful, twist-laden plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Final Thoughts:
The Other Family is an unputdownable thriller that blends emotional depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Theo Baxter’s ability to craft a chilling yet meaningful story cements his place as a master of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC. This book is a must-read for fans of gripping, character-driven thrillers. Highly recommended!

THE OTHER FAMILY BY THEO BAXTER
Release date set for the 26th of January 2025.
I thought the story line for this book was fab.
Totally different and I can't say I've read a plot like this one.
I felt so sorry for the main female character for everything she's been through.
The pace of the book picked up and a few twists and turns.
I'm glad i read this one.

Fast paced and full of twists that kept me guessing until the end. I loved it and read it in one short sitting