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

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Oh man! Thank you to Inkubator Books publishing for providing me and ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my review.

Oooooffff, this book! Oh it was so good, I read it in one sitting. It was super fast paced and there was action throughout the entire book. Books like this are why I love reading. I had so many emotions reading it. I was so angry, infuriated, and heartbroken all at the same time. This book touches on some sensitive topics that I unfortunately have experienced personally in some ways. However, Theo Baxter wrote it in such a sensitive, respectful way. It was so gut wrenching and touches a lot on corrupt, religious people of power. Truly a great read, the topics are rough to read, but it was just so well done. Highly recommend!

The Other Family immerses readers in the chilling world of fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton, who finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of grief and danger after her mother's death and her father's mental breakdown. The novel effectively taps into the themes of vulnerability and the quest for safety, which, at times, is hard to read as some of the characters are exposed to some serious situations.

Sam is portrayed as a resilient and intelligent young girl, leveraging her wits to confront daunting circumstances. The stark contrast between her previous life and her new environment with the Bradfords accentuates her sense of isolation and fear, helping to create a palpable tension right from the outset. The setting itself—the remote, almost claustrophobic nature of the Bradfords' home—works as a character in its own right. The “forbidden rooms” and strict household rules establish an atmosphere of paranoia and entrapment that effectively mirrors Sam’s emotional state.

As Sam uncovers the dark history of the Bradfords, the revelations become increasingly tense, and the pacing propels the reader toward a thrilling climax.

However, the trope of "the sinister foster family" isn't new and, at times, the twists may seem familiar. The tension does builds effectively, and the stakes feel high as Sam fights for her safety.

Overall, The Other Family is a suspenseful and engaging read that will appeal to fans of young adult thrillers. With its strong protagonist and gripping storyline, it's a tale that underscores the importance of courage in the face of adversity.

#TheOtherFamily #NetGalley

The Other Family by Theo Baxter follows a harrowing journey of survivalist father and daughter, Jesse and Sam, as Sam is removed from the care of Jesse and is placed in the care of Reverend Bradford and his wife. As Sam navigates and adjusts to her new home and fellow foster sisters, she discovers that darkness lies behind the smile of the religious family. Meanwhile, Jesse works on his personal demons in hopes to gain custody of Sam and save her from the house of horrors.

Can Sam use her survivalist skills to live in her new home? Will Jesse find a way to reunite himself with Sam?

Baxter effectively captures the desperation of a man struggling with mental health, and tackles weighty themes of family, trust and the abuse of power. Whilst the fast-paced plot and suspenseful atmosphere kept me engaged, I felt the writing could benefit from more sensory detail. For example, description of the surrounding environment, the characters physical sensations, and the distinct smells within the Bradford household could immerse the reader more.

Love the character building in this book. It really helps bring the storyline alive. I had to finish this book in one sitting as it got me hooked, line and sinker. Love the twists and turns in the book and the thrilling suspense. Highly recommend.

The Other Family by Theo Baxter, published by Inkubator Books, is an unputdownable thriller of its finest. Twisty and full of unexpected turns that had me guessing till the last page, this book tells Samantha and Jesse's story. Complex, complicated, intriguing. This author is amasterful wordsmith, beautifully writing flawed characters and their stories that'll stay with the reader.
I recommend the book, 5 stars.
Blurb: This is one family you don’t want to join.
Things haven’t been easy for fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton. She’s just recovering from the death of her mother when her father Jesse has a mental breakdown.
She’s taken out of his care and given to a foster family, the Bradfords. The Bradfords live in the middle of nowhere and seem like pious, God-fearing people.
But Sam soon notices some disturbing things. The forbidden rooms. The strict rules. The cameras that track her every move.
When Sam discovers that two girls previously fostered by the Bradfords have disappeared without trace, she realises she may be in grave danger.
Sam is smart and resourceful. And she’ll need to be - because the Bradfords have a dark secret. A secret which will thrust Sam into a terrifying nightmare from which she may never wake.

Really enjoyed this book and will be buying it for my collection… not as many twists but the story kept me guessing and interested