4.5 stars rounded up.

Catherine is an English teacher in a school with challenging behaviour, however, she’s very passionate about her job and the children she teaches. She’s been married to Gary for ten years and the couple have no children.

She becomes a mentor to Lisa, a teacher in training. Lisa looks up to Catherine’s way of teaching and her behaviour management strategies. Imagine Cath’s surprise when Lisa confesses that she is homeless and has been secretly sleeping on the school premises. Then, Lisa discloses that Gary, Cath’s husband, is her half-brother!

Cath offers Lisa the spare room in her house, and that’s when things start to go wrong. Gary doesn’t want Lisa around and he is rude to her. He’s been estranged from his father for years and wants nothing to do with his half-sister.

When Caths’s car is torched, she starts to believe that someone is targeting her…

Is it Lisa? Or is the truth far more sinister?

Oooh, I love Wendy Clarke’s books! You think you know where you’re going and then, boom! The author drops another bombshell.

I read this book in two sittings as I was desperate to discover what happened. I didn’t trust anyone in the story, as each person had a secret/ motive, including Cath.

Expect to be at the edge of your seat and prepare for a twisty ride.

I definitely recommend this book.

Many thanks to Sarah Hardy of Bookouture for the e-ARC and my spot on the tour.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Love the premise of this book! A mysterious husband, an estranged sister and a ton of secrets!
Katherine is loving her life with her husband Gary. When Katherine befriends Lisa, a new teacher in her school, that’s when things go downhill. Lisa moves in with Katherine and Gary but she turns out to be Gary’s sister. Strange things start happening and the tension was unbearable. I loved all of these twists and turns and the ending had a surprising reveal. Wendy Clarke is a “new to me” author but I look forward to reading more by her. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#MakeYourselfAtHome #WendyClarke #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #NewMystery

I really enjoyed listening to Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke, a new author to me.
It’s been quite nerve-wracking to be deep into the pages of this unputdownable gem.
Twists and turns all over the place, but who can she trust?
After inviting her sister-in-law Lisa to stay with her and her husband, Catherine finds the past haunting her and her life unravelling right before her eyes.

The loss of her younger brother is something that haunts her, she falls into supporting a new troubled student, often acting on impulse to support and nurture him to keep his life on track.

Her friend Ross is also there to hold her hand, even though her husband was friends with him first.

I listened to the audible and couldn’t turn it off. It’s been incredible. You just want to know who and why someone is trying to destroy all that she’s built for herself.

Recommended and I already can’t wait to see what Wendy comes up with in her next novel.

3.5⭐
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ UK
Publication date ~ March 5, 2025
Publisher ~ Bookouture
Est Page Count ~ 324 (p+ 44 chapters +e)
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ secrets from the past

Catherine is living a happy life with husband, Gary, until she invites her coworker, Lisa, to stay with them. Turns out Lisa is Gary’s sister. Say what! Why didn’t Gary ever mention he had a sister?

“…he’s clearly unhappy with the idea. There’s no getting away from the fact that having Lisa in their house will upset their status quo. Maybe she should have asked him first. Made sure he was alright with it.” AHHHH, ya think? I’d be hot if my hub was inviting guests without discussing it first, especially since I'm not a big entertainer to begin with.

As the story slowly unfolds, in a fast paced way, we learn some secrets from the past from all parties involved. There were a couple of nice twists I hadn’t seen coming…jackpot! Didn’t like them per-say, but I liked that I was surprised by them. Overall, enjoyable enough to keep me engaged.

I read this partly on ebook and partly listened to it on audiobook. Best of both.

I’ve read a fair few books by author Wendy Clarke, and have to say she rarely disappoints and really knows how to tell a story and keep readers engaged from start to finish.

This was one pretty gripping story from start to finish. It had me captivated throughout, wondering what would happen next and trying to figure out who was lying, who was being honest and who to trust, there were a couple of red herrings thrown in which certainly keeps the readers guessing about. I thought it was nicely done and really well written.

So another cracking job well done to author Wendy.

I also want to say that the narrator Lucy Paterson did a wonderful job of narrating the story, it flowed well from one character to another.

Katherine is working towards becoming the head of the English department at the local school where she teaches with her friend Ross and is mentoring a new trainee, Lisa, who has just moved to town. Katherine is out of her depth-her marriage is struggling and she is waiting on the promotion so when Lisa asks for help, Katherine sees a chance to do some good and offers to let her come stay at her house. Katherine’s husband then pulls further away as a result and seems to be hiding something. Katherine has secrets in her past that she’s trying to keep under wraps, so when past secrets are exposed and she finds herself questioning if she can trust Lisa and what’s worse, whether she really knows her husband. Can you love someone too much?
While it started out well, as the story progressed it got a bit over the top and most of the twists were predictable. The ending kind of fell flat as well but for a popcorn thriller, it was still a fairly good time.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC!!
This captivating domestic psychological thriller hooks you from the very beginning. With numerous twists and turns, it kept me up late, and I was completely blindsided by the ending!!!

Wendy Clarke is a master at setting a tense scene before sending the reader on a rollercoaster ride of twists!

When schoolteacher Catherine takes pity on Lisa, a young teacher in training, she certainly isn't expecting to discover that Lisa is her husband's sister. But Gary is clearly unhappy that Lisa is there and the tension between them is palpable.

As the horrifying truth about the tension between Gary and Lisa emerges and Catherine receives threatening notes, she starts to question who she can trust.

This is a fast paced read. with plenty of action and some shocking twists. I enjoyed the plot; I felt it lacked the depth that Wendy's books usually have, but still an excellent read that I recommend to anyone who loves a brilliant psychological thriller.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Wendy Clarke and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.

The beginning was extremely slow and I started to wonder if I would finish the book or not. I’m glad that I was able to push through because around the 20% mark the book really started picking up. So many twists and turns and questions of “who dun it.” Several of the characters had questionable behavior which kept me engaged because I wasn’t sure who the suspect was. I was a little disappointed in the ending, but overall it was a decent thriller/mystery that some readers may like.. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC for review consideration.

I absolutely loved Wendy Clarke's, "Make Yourself at Home"! From the very first page, I was completely drawn into the suspenseful and gripping storyline. The characters were so well-developed, each with their own unique quirks and secrets that kept me guessing until the very end. The way Clarke weaves together multiple plot lines is truly masterful, leaving me constantly on the edge of my seat. Not to mention, her writing style is incredibly engaging and immersive - I couldn't put this book down! It was a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked throughout. If you're a fan of thrillers that will keep you guessing until the last page, then "Make Yourself at Home" is definitely a must-read!

Wendy Clarke’s Make Yourself at Home is a gripping psychological thriller that expertly weaves suspense, secrets, and deception into an electrifying narrative. From the outset, the novel introduces us to an idyllic marriage between the protagonist and her husband, Gary—a relationship seemingly built on love, routine, and unwavering devotion. But when Gary’s estranged sister, Lisa, unexpectedly moves in, the cracks in their perfect life begin to surface, exposing a web of lies neither the protagonist nor the reader is prepared for.

Clarke masterfully builds tension as Lisa’s presence disrupts the household, leading to unsettling changes in Gary’s behavior. The protagonist—initially warm and welcoming—soon finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her husband. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, Clarke keeps the reader on edge, delivering unexpected twists that challenge our assumptions about trust, family, and the lengths people will go to protect their own.

What makes Make Yourself at Home so compelling is its psychological depth. Clarke creates complex, layered characters with hidden motives, ensuring that no one is entirely innocent. The novel’s pacing is relentless, with every chapter pulling the reader further into an intricate mystery that keeps unfolding until the shocking finale.

Fans of domestic thrillers with dark family secrets—such as books by Lisa Jewell and B.A. Paris—will find Make Yourself at Home impossible to put down. With its expertly crafted suspense and unpredictable twists, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a story where nothing is as it seems.

Another amazing thriller by a favorite of mine!!!!
Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke was another excellent book. I was hooked from the very beginning till the end.
Wendy has a way of telling a story that will just have you hooked almost immediately.
The story began relatively slow really setting the scene with twists and turns along the way.
Wonderfully written, with amazing character development made the story much more intriguing and engaging! Her storytelling is captivating.
A clever and suspenseful thriller that will keep you totally absorbed and turning the pages all night.

I thought Catherine, for all of her secrets was pretty naive and gullible.
I wouldn’t have accepted Lisa’s word on who she was at face value.
Gary was a jerk and I had reservations and suspicions about his good mate too.
If you can’t stand the hear don’t play with fire as flames are symbolic in the story.
Catherine dies manage to finally put the fire out.

This is a great domestic psychological thriller that will grab you right from the start. Lots of twists and turns that kept me reading into the night. I didn’t see the end coming.

Bad things started happening right after Lisa came to teach at Cath's school. Even though Cath agrees to take her on as her mentor, her husband, Gary, wants nothing to do with Lisa. But if Cath can get Lisa to open up, she can find more about Gary's estranged family. The only problem is - Cath has secrets of her own!

There is a long build before the reveal and as typically happens, the secret isn't so bad. But what's been happening to Cath gets a whole lot worse! Is someone trying to sabotage her job? Her marriage? Or is it just all a coincidence?

You'll go back and forth trying to guess who's taunting Cath. The characters are fully developed and you will have a lot of empathy for Cath's situation, even as you're screaming at her to ask the questions she needs to ask!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for inviting me along on this Books on Tour!

"You don't really know your husband" whispers Cath's sister-in-law. After all they have taken her in when doubts begin to creep in from all sides. Suspenseful and tense psychological thriller that you will race through!

I did not expect that ending! That was a brilliant book and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Who can you trust????? Now that is the question in Wendy Clarke's gripping, twisted, and secret filled Make Yourself at Home! Everything was fine in Cath and Gary's life. They have a happy marriage, enjoy their careers, and have good friends. But then Gary's sister, Lisa, began working at Cath's school. When Lisa mentions that she has nowhere to go, Cath brings her home and Gary begins to change. Plus, what is going on with the notes that Cath is receiving??? Enter stress and drama stage left!

I had no idea where this book was going or what was going to happen, but I enjoyed this twist filled ride. Along the way I came up with several theories and thought I had figured things out, but boy was I so very wrong. I was not close at all - not by a long shot. I enjoyed the mounting tension, the uncertainty, the doubt, the suspicion, and twists that Wendy Clarke so deftly wove into the plot.

The secrets, lies, twists, and turns kept my turning the pages and wanting to know how things were going to end up. I did not see one reveal coming and I love it when that happens. I had the privilege of having both the audiobook and the e-book versions of Make Yourself at Home. I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a great job in bringing this book to life.

Gripping, tense, shocking and well thought out!

Everyone has a past, but not everyone's past is checkered. Wowser! This was an enthralling journey of deception, miscommunication, fear and tragedy.

Home is where the heart is and should be a safe place. Catherine's home has always been her safe haven. Ever since she invited Lisa (another teacher from the school) to live with her and her husband, Gary, strange things have been happening. Things that bring Catherine's tragic memories bubbling back to the surface. She does not want to believe that this meek young girl that she is mentoring could be responsible. You start wondering if Lisa is responsible. Do not trust yourself while reading this book because the twists just keep coming. Everything is not always as it appears. Confusion and games seem to be the name of the game in this thriller.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you net galley for the arc. so this book is a lot of back and forth, and it delves into the compelexity of family and trust. i really enjoyed it.