ALC Review

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Release date: April 22, 2025
Narrator: Helen Laser, Nat Cassidy

Okay, first off that cover. 🤩Absolutely stunning. It pulled me in immediately. I went into this book completely blind, just knowing that Nat Cassidy writes amazing horror, and WOW. This book did not disappoint!

This book was wild in the best way possible. I listened to the audiobook and it made the whole experience even better. The story was creepy, intense, and made me shed some tears.

Man this was such a fun book! The blending of horror and fairytales was so well done! But why was I crying?! 😆

I loved the whole concept of this book. I won’t go into detail so I don’t reveal any spoilers (though you find out early on), but somehow this gory book turns heartwarming and then heartbreaking all at once. The FMC was so relatable to me (hello anxiety, self-doubt and spiraling thoughts!) and even her reactions to the five-year-old MMC were relatable.

After finishing this book, I already loved it. But then the author’s note comes, and that definitely sealed the deal for me. I honestly want to say so much more, so if you’ve read this, I’d love to chat about it with you!

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Fans of horror, dark fairytales, symbolism.
(And if you’re not a fan of horror but don’t mind a little gore, you should try this!)

𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
This was narrated flawlessly! I also loved the author’s little cameo (is it a cameo in an audiobook?) and his intro and ending. Such a fun audiobook to listen to!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy of When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. First off, I love Nat Cassidy's writing, each book has been so unique and built up suspense so well, that I get pulled in and suddenly it's 5:30 in the morning and I still haven't been to bed. The narrator did a wonderful job capturing the feeling of the book and it felt like I was there. I cannot classify the genre of this book as it kept flowing from one to another, but in a really good way. I love how much Cassidy pours of himself into his books and shares with us in the afterward. I felt for each character in this book, from Jessa the struggling actor/waitress, kiddo the poor boy running from monsters, to Cookie, Jessa's mom who tried her best to raise her as a single mom. This book had hints of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I am definitely recommending it to the Midnight Monster Club and everyone else, it was a fantastic read.

This book was my first Nat Cassidy and a book out of my comfort genres. I was so surprised that I really liked it. Very gorey, so if you need to avoid some triggers like that, it probably wouldn't be for you. But there were still some lines that had me laughing so hard.

Some part of the ending I guessed and there were some parts that I definitely didn't.

Not quite a 5 star, but definitely a solid or higher 4. I was listening to it and it's possible I would have given it higher if I read it physically, but still overall a great book.

There was a part in the audiobook that did throw me off a little bit. It switched to a male narrator to just read letters, but didn't for male characters and it was just so sudden that I felt confused as to why.

This was so much fun! I loved the concept of the little boy with special abilities who brings things into creation so long as he believes them to be true, it makes you question is the dad really a bad guy you think he is at the beginning or is he just in an impossible out of control situation,

I also loved the main female character I felt so bad for the situation she was in and was dying for her to get to a hospital the entire time 😂😂

Thank you for the gifted audio book, I definitely recommend this read for an unusual, fast paced and chaotic ride!

Publish date - April 22nd

A thrilling horror read about a young woman trying to save a young boy, and herself, from the boy's father. The set-up of this novel was fantastic - bloody, gory, tense, and also funny - but the story didn't go where I thought it would. It turned into a road trip story about these two characters trying to find safety, dealing with their own issues / traumas / relationships, and facing their own anxieties and fears.

Recommended for fans of books about/with: road trips, special powers, monster horror, grief/loss, complicated parent-child relationships, fear/paranoia

This is my second Nat Cassidy book (first was Nestlings), and I thought this was equally as all over the place as Nestlings was but maybe with a bit more finesse.

3.75

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance audiobook copy for review. The audiobook narration is fantastic.

I just finished When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy and… wow. Easily a 5/5 star read for me.

I don’t usually love this trope, but it was so well done here that I ended up loving the entire book. I’ve been dying to get my hands on this ARC, and I’m so grateful I finally got the chance to read it. Nat Cassidy has written some pretty twisted books, but this one? By far his best.

I caught onto the twist early, but the way it was written still landed hard. It’s scary, intense, action-packed, fast-paced—and unexpectedly emotional. He makes you fall in love with the characters and then absolutely wrecks you. There were a few moments where I did say “what the fuck” out loud and had to sit in silence at the end. Funny enough, part of the book takes place where I grew up, which added an extra layer for me.

Also, I usually skip the author’s note, but I listened to Nat talk about his dad, shapeshifting, and his reminder that we need to share our stories and somehow… it all hit really close to home.

Thank you to @catnassidy and @macmillan.audio for this incredible ARC. When the Wolf Comes Home releases April 22nd, and I need you to add it to your TBR immediately.

I read a lot of horror and I obviously got excited when I saw there was a new book by Nat Cassidy. His first books were so unique and I expected this to be similar, but it was even better than I expected. There aren't many great werewolf stories and that's cool too; I think it's probably hard to make werewolves real enough to be scary.
Cassidy succeeds at making the werewolf real and frightening-- I can't remember the last time I got scared reading a book, and my pulse was racing. Part of what makes this work is the trauma between a father and a child, and Cassidy talks about his own dad in a note at the end (his dad is not scary!)
Thanks to NetGalley, I got to listen to this audiobook, and the narrator did an awesome job, especially with the main character and the little boy.

This was such a clever and unique read. I have never read anything quite like it and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved how the author used all the child’s fears to become reality. It’s very humbling and eye opening to look inside the mind of a child. As adults we have become so conditioned to move on from things quickly or to suppress our feelings/fears. I loved the journey that Jess and “Kiddo” took. I was fascinated by the simplicity yet complexity of this child’s mind. Many twists occurred that I didn’t expect either. I was fully invested after the first chapter.

So grateful for my early copy and can’t wait for this to publish to get my official hard copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Highly recommend!

What I Liked
- High-stakes, fast-paced horror – from page one, it's full-throttle tension.
- The boy’s fear-based manifestations – flying masks, cartoon nightmares, pure childhood terror turned real.
- Jess is messy, complicated, and real– struggling with her own demons while trying to survive.
- The wolf monster – an ever-present, looming threat that keeps the tension high.
- The sense of dread never lets up – even in moments of "safety," something is always lurking.
- Cabin in the woods - false security, pure chaos when the horror catches up.
-The audio really adds depth to this story! You get to feel the tension and pull of the story through the audio book.

What Didn’t Work for Me
- Some emotional beats didn’t fully land– I wanted more depth in certain moments. Or the emotional parts felt so out of place it was more awkward that they were there.

Did not 100% work for me but it was definitely unique and worth the read.

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is by far one of my favorite books I've read so far this year. Both parts cinematic and terrifying I loved the characters, plot points, setting and prose. The audiobook had the perfect cadence in its narration which really adding to my reading experience. This is my 3rd book by this author and Nat Cassidy is now an autobuy author for me.

After working a shift at a diner, Jess finds a 5 year old boy who has run away and then unfortunately finds his father. After a very violent night, Jess and the boy are on the run. I LOVED this book. Every single second. It’s bloody and scary and then at times deeply emotional. I knew I would love this after enjoying Mary and Nestlings from the author but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. This will be my favorite horror novel of the year, I can’t see anything topping this

Ok, so this is my first book by Mr. Cassidy and let me tell you he’s right up there with my love for Stephen King’s stories. And this book was Umm how to say Wowzahhh!! Yup! Super scary, a bit gross, innovative, creative and so very twisted trust me a true cray cray wild ride!

Jess just quit her job as a waitress and decides to leave work early after cleaning up the bathrooms and being stabbed by a needle. Her plan was to go home and head to a clinic but plans changed. Outside her apartment she finds a young boy hiding in the bushes, while being attacked by birds. Her roommate and neighbors come running out to help but are ripped apart by these strange birds. So Jess grabs the boy and takes off after seeing the horror happening all around her.

There was no happy ending in this story being told, but there’s such a unique balance in the now Jess and the inside young Jess. As she tries to figure out what just happened and where is she in the Hotel? Hospital? Is it a dream? Is she sick, did the jab of the needle make her the monster? Does she have the power? Can she change the world?

The blurb on this book pulled me, because let me just say this I’m not one who reads about Vampires or Werewolves. This was not what you’d expect when you hear werewolf. Trust me if you enjoy Scary Horror this is for you!
I want this to be made into a film Now!!

🎧 The audio was incredible!! I’ve found many narrators' voices can be so annoying when they do the child’s part, but not in this case. I really enjoyed Helen Laser @hlaserwolf who brought this story to life. But I still really really enjoyed hearing Cassidy narrate. I'd like to hear more from him again..

#ad Many thanks for my advance copy to @titanbooks
& @netgalley + @macmillan.audio .

I absolutely love Nat Cassidy and was so excited to get early arc of his new book also one he narrated! Soooo good!!!!! I loved it! Thank you NetGalley

this book was incredible. there’s not enough words to describe how and why i loved it so much, it left such an impression and impact on me. if you like any of these things: roadtrip stories, witty characters, grief horror, dangerous powers and emotional gut punches.. i think you’d love this just as much as i do. highly recommend.

Jess finds a five year old runaway behind her apartment with his violent father hot on his trail. she ends up taking him under her wing and they go on the run together as she tries to protect him. turns out the boy is no ordinary kid though, he has extremely dangerous and unpredictable powers. the things he was able to conjure in his mind were insane, anything he fears or even thinks becomes a reality. yes, this is a werewolf book since his father is one but not in the way you’d think. the story went in so many different unpredictable directions and there was never a dull moment. i loved Jess’ character and her eccentric mother Cookie, the bond they share was so chaotic but beautiful. Jess isn’t without flaws, but she tries her best and sometimes that’s enough. the metaphors and parental childhood trauma hit hard for real, the ending had me staring at the wall afterwards. the audiobook was also amazing!!

4.25/5 stars.

I thought this was a fantastic listen. This reminded me of a darker version of The Bones Beneath My Skin. The two stories were vastly different but they shared some similarities. I actually went into this book mostly blind. I didn't even read the whole blurb and I found that to be a great pay-off. I would recommend doing the same if you're able! There is a lot of mystery surrounding a peculiar little boy and a monster lurking around him. I don't want to say too much about the plot because I think it would detract from the reading experience. It was exciting not knowing what to expect out of this book.

I can always expect to love Nat Cassidy's writing so I wasn't surprised that this book was no different. The characters were intriguing and lovable. The story was mysterious, tense, and heart-wrenching. I listened to the audiobook and I always love when authors pop in to do some or all of the narration. That was the case here. Helen Laser narrated the majority of the book but had some help from Nat Cassidy. Both did an amazing job.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

TW: gore, death, injury detail, child death, violence, blood, death of parent, murder, body horror, suicidal thoughts, medical content, grief, medical trauma, child abuse, gun violence, drug use, stalking, alcohol, car accident, kidnapping

This was such a fun ride 🎧 A well paced thriller, on the run w/ so many twists & turns!! Our FMC’s personality was so real, we fr went through so many wild emotions. Just the whole concept of this story had me on the edge of my seat, so enjoyable!! And the ending? Now that was wicked.
Overall, I was entertained!! Props to the narrator for bringing this to life & to Nat Cassidy for opening up at the end & giving us this amazing book.

The story follows Jess, an out-of-work actress barely scraping by when she stumbles across a five-year-old runaway hiding near her place. What should be a sweet hallmark moment becomes quickly violent when the kid's dad shows up, and turns Jess's life into a nightmare. Then Jess and the boy have to go on the run when his fears start manifesting for real. Jess's relationship with the boy becomes intriguing, is she protecting him for the boy's sake or for her own?

This is such a good slow-burn, constantly tension-filled horror novel. You really are made to sit with the discomfort. There have been so many werewolf stories but this one was just so unique and well-written.

I loved the audiobook experience, would definitely recommend. I also really enjoyed the afterword that talked about the inspiration for this book involving the author's "shapeshifting" father.

Overall Nat Cassidy is quickly becoming one of my go to authors. Publishes April 22!

This book was not what I was expecting! I figured there would be a lot driving in the environment, like with Nestlings, where the setting has that eerie feeling, but this one drove my thoughts in a different way! I always love that Nat Cassidy pulls from his life experiences in such a unique way, usually by terrifying us and making us think of our own personal experiences.

I feel like this one had a great mix-up. It had me laughing, crying, and feeling anxious for the characters and of what would come next! The characters in this book are easy to relate to with their flaws, emotional thinking, and fear responses. I did get the audio version of the arc, and the story flowed so well and made it hard to stop listening!

Thank you to Macillan audio and Net Galley for my advanced audiobook copy. This book did not disappoint, and I look forward to future books from this author as well!

#ad many thanks for my advance copy @titanbooks #partner
& @netgalley + @macmillan.audio for the ALC

🆆🅷🅴🅽 🆃🅷🅴 🆆🅾🅻🅵 🅲🅾🅼🅴🆂 🅷🅾🅼🅴
< @catnassidy >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 𝟤𝟤, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

𝒩𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓈𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓁𝒻 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒…

I don’t think one can read a Nat Cassidy book without being totally grossed out at one point or another. And this book kicks off with that uncontrollable reflex from the start.

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is a twisted and captivating horror book that needs to be on your TBR. The book is LIT! 🔥 It’s as unique as it is fascinating- a must read!

Jess has just quit her job, having been jabbed with a dirty needle while cleaning the diner’s toilet where she works, she’s over it all. She leaves work early but will soon come to regret this choice.

At home, she first finds a kid being attacked by birds, then she watches as her neighbors and roommate are torn apart by some type of massive animal, resulting in her accidentally shooting a cop. She needs to get out of here and fast.

Now Jess is on the run with the little boy, who she doesn’t know, but just saved. But the little boy tells her that the animal is “daddy” and soon Jess realizes they’re being hunted.

This was an absolute blast of a read. Truly just an insane read and the reason we love Cassidy’s books so much. It was nonstop action, impossible to put down, and a one-sitting read.

The writing is perfect and the plot I found to be quite unique. A page-turner you’re guaranteed to enjoy. So buckle up because it’s about to be the ride of a lifetime. One of my top reads for the year!

𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖:
Inner Jess vs Outer Jess
Nat’s history + his dad🥹

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕤:
Childhood Trauma
Mother/Daughter Relationships
Father/Son Relationships
Fear & Anxiety
Identity
Death of a Parent
Death of a Child

𝕊𝕦𝕓𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕖:
Monster Horror
Survival

𝕋𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕤: They’re listed in the beginning of the book.

🎧 The audio was great! The kid parts weren’t annoying - as I find many of them to be. You can listen at 2x just fine. Helen Laser < @hlaserwolf > makes the story come alive. But I still vote that Cassidy narrates his next book - he has the voice for it! Or more parts.

I love how open and vulnerable Nat is in every book of his. He gives us something special each time. (In the audio, not in the ARC).