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

It started out slow, didn’t really love the inner monologue from the 2 main characters but as it read on, it got kinda better. I couldn’t put it down, wanting to figure out what’s gonna happen next. Overall it’s an interesting read albeit a little predictable

The dual perspectives are very well done in this book, which is no mean feat when seeking to realistically present a teenage girl and her father. The pace picks up towards the end of the book as the depths of the horror are revealed. It is all the more troubling because it could so easily be non-fiction.

I am so happy and proud to say that I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC reader. As an ARC reader, I am given the honor of reading books before they are published and creating a review of the book gifted. Theo Baxter has been one of my favorite authors and every time I get to read one of his books, I am always excited! This book shows what can happen when a child leaves a terrible family, only to be sent to an even worse one. It is a story of tragedy and sadness. But it is so worth the read. An easy recommendation from me to you…you will love this new novel from Theo Baxter!

A chilling and emotional thriller that keeps you turning the pages. Lots of shocks and a great ending. A very good read!

Sam is taken from one awful family into an even worse one.
My word this book is so dark and tense but i couldn't put it down.
A proper thriller that left me with a racing heart.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

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! Great read! This book definitely has you thinking about a lot of different aspects of life! It had great suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, child abuse, and some wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This is one of the first thrillers I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. The premise was intriguing and kept my interest. I was hooked!