Not a Normal Family

by Rachel Hargrove

The perfect trip turns into a nightmare...

Amber Pierce thought she'd planned the perfect family vacation in the breathtaking Cascades, a trip that includes her ex-husband Scott and his new wife Laura. Determined to mend the rift with her teenage daughter and find a sense of harmony within their blended family, Amber’s certain this adventure is the fresh start they all desperately need.

But when the group takes a wrong turn and becomes lost in the unforgiving wilderness, the simmering tension between Amber and Scott boils over, reaching a fever pitch when Scott’s wife, Laura, is found dead.

With suspicions running rampant, exes Amber and Scott are forced to work together to uncover the chilling truth. But as hidden motives emerge, they must ask Can they really trust each other, or is the enemy closer than they think?

Not a Normal Family is a heart-stopping psychological thriller will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about the people closest to you. Gripping, suspenseful, and masterfully crafted, this novel will leave you breathless as it explores the darkest corners of human nature. Perfect for fans of One by One and In a Dark, Dark Wood, this is a psychological thriller you won't be able to put down.

What readers are saying about Not a Normal Family:

All I can say is WOW! This is a must read! You'll keep guessing and finding new twists and reveals until the very last page! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Teresa

Just WOW…The ending sent shivers through my spine! PLEASE take the time to read this book! You won’t regret it! FIVE STARS FROM ME!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hailey

Whhhaaattt??!! This book was absolutely amazing!! I absolutely LOVED LOVED this book!!!! It has soooo many twists towards the end you'll get whiplash! If you've ever read One by One by Freida McFadden and loved it like I did you'll absolutely love this book as well! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ @mommys_all_booked

MUST READ!!! I loved this book! Definitely did not expect the ending! The person I thought it was, turned out to be completely wrong. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer

Oh my gosh! It’s amazing!!! What a fast paced thriller with twists!!! I thought ok, I know who did it. Oh wait no. Oh wait yes!! No. I loved this book and want more from this author! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer

Twists and turns everywhere! What a great suspenseful book! This starts with a bang and ends with one. About the time you think you have it all figured out another kink is thrown in the mix. I couldn't put this book down. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Survival

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2023

About the author

Rachel Hargrove is from Montreal, Canada. She earned a BA in English and Comparative Literature at San Jose State University and worked as a data analyst in a biotechnology company. When she turned 26, she left her career in tech to write fiction full-time. Rachel now lives in Seattle.

Rachel’s debut psychological thriller Sick Girl is available now in eBook, Paperback and Audiobook!

You can drop her a line at admin@rachelhargrove.com

Reviews

[Barbara Behring · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very twisty thriller. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil it for anyone else. I think the author had too many twists and it was hard sometimes to keep it all straight. Still, it was a good book.

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

This was short and moved at a pretty good pace, but there were just too many psychos in one small group of people! The three hour hike they go on quickly spirals out of control and there's twist after twist, but only some of them work.

The idea that Amber would be required by a judge to go on a family vacation with her ex-husband Scott is absurd, but that's the premise. Scott cheated on Amber, treats her like dirt, calls her fat...is basically a jerk and I hated him. However, it was REALLY hard to be team Amber, she made everything 1000x worse. She always had to be right, always had to have the last word, couldn't let any comment go. She was exhausting, which sucked because she was almost the only POV.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting throughout, it’s about a woman, her ex-husband and their respective families going on a weekend trip in the wilderness of Washington state. Needless to say, the woman and her ex hate each other, but go for their mutual daughter. Almost the entire book centers around their hike where they get lost. Along the way, there are many disturbing events! About 1/3 of the way through, I had part of it figured out, but there are so many twists and turns that you likely won’t guess it all. And, it’s also easy reading for an afternoon. I spent it lazing around my pool and reading my book!!

[Katrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was something else. It went nowhere, and most of it consists of just nasty arguments between the main character and her ex-husband. The dialog is very juvenile and doesn't ring true. Not a single character is likable. Not one, not even a little bit. Amber is just as bad, if not worse, than her ex. It was just a hateful bunch, and I found myself hoping none got out alive.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book snagged me and yanked me right in from page one, line one! The prologue was excellent!

Amber was married to Scott once upon a time. They had a daughter, Nicole, together and intriguing the divorce/custody agreement they had to take one family vacation together a year. Nicole is about to turn eighteen, so this is their last one. Thank god because it's not going well.

Amber brought her husband, Cameron, and stepson, David. Scott brought his wife, Laura, and brother, Fred. It's not a happy family. There are past dramas, secrets, grudges, and a lot of dislike. Bordering on hate in a couple cases.

But when they all end up lost in the wilderness on their hike things ramp up. Not to mention, one of them is a serial killer--we just don't know which one.

"What happens when six people are pushed beyond their limits, and there’s a fight for the few resources we have?"

I couldn't put this down! It was sooooooo good! A must read!

[Cassandra Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to dnf this book but I kept thinking it would get better..it did not.

[Jen's Book Jams]

This was one of the slowest moving plots I’ve ever read. I couldn’t stand the bickering between Amber and Scott (they were both so juvenile) and wanted to stop reading it several times because of it. I hated Amber for ever having wanted to be with someone like him in the first place. I repeatedly wished a grizzly would come along and take out every last one of them. The end was a hot mess with too many killers and the cringeworthy confession that her daughter was hooking up with her stepbrother.

[Danielle Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. It was so good. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. As soon as I thought I had it figured out, she flipped the switch and it was totally someone else. The ending was a total surprise. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but will definitely not be the last.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[wendi c duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its hard to imagine ppl being so stupid

[Maegan McFall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a normal family

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book, a twisty thriller that will keep you guessing. You think you have the answer? - WRONG you don’t.

I have a couple of issues with this one unfortunately, the fat shaming towards the main character is HORRIBLE. All characters as quite unlikeable but I feel that the author has done that on purpose so you’re lead into a false sense of understanding because when you do see a small redeeming quality, you think the can’t be all that bad- again, you’d be wrong.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Advice: Don’t read the contents at the beginning of the book that breaks down the chapter titles- it gives a spoiler if you are able to put it together.

[La Femme Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber Pierce thought she'd planned the perfect family vacation. Seeking to mend the rift with her daughter, she books a camping retreat that includes her ex-husband and his new wife. But hours into their first hike, the group takes a wrong turn. They're lost, hungry, and dehydrated days later, and hope is fading. Amber is no quitter. She'll lead everyone to safety. Or die trying. When one person goes missing and another falls victim to a mysterious accident, Amber soon discovers she's over her head. Who is sabotaging their trip? And can she stop them before it's too late?

NOT A NORMAL FAMILY is an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a family lost in the woods and the dreadful misfortunes that may be sabotaged rather than accidental. Amber is a likable mother who tries to keep the peace within her family, especially with her ex-husband Scott. At times, a bit of a pushover but kind-hearted. Now, Scott epitomizes a narcissist fat-shamer who gets his kicks off by hurting others. I can understand why Amber divorced him, he made this trip unbearable, and I probably would have gone to jail for throwing him off a cliff.

It takes a seasoned author to rile me up, and boy, did I loathe Scott and everything he stood for. Despite that, I did find the other characters engaging, even the angsty teenagers and creepy uncle. Toward the end, the twists hit me out of nowhere. I was utterly dumbfounded at the disturbing reveals. Rachel Hargrove knows how to pull the rug from under us while maintaining detailed-oriented action. If you're looking for a fight or flight narrative with a good mix of pleasant and unreliable personalities, NOT A NORMAL FAMILY may be the way to go! After all, they make most of our families look like saints.

[Ashley Cestra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Was not expecting that level are messed up. The title couldn’t have been more perfect! I really enjoyed all the twists this story took! I have never read this author before but I’m happy to have discovered her!

[Lisa Reno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook on a long drive. Kept me guessing until the end

[Patty U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns everywhere!

What a great suspenseful book! This starts with a bang and ends with one. Go on a camping trip with seven people and watch all hell break loose! How many are lying, dying, and murdering? About the time you think you have it all figured out another kink is thrown in the mix. I couldn't put this book down. It will stay with you for awhile after reading.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew. I let Alexa read this to me whenever I was cooking dinner, doing laundry etc. The twists and turns were insane!! But wait!!!! The beginning IMHO was real slow….there’s good bit of characters with specific familiar connections. I had to get them together first. After that, it was ON!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out!

This is a somewhat short story, but it is full of suspense! I thought I knew what was going on but was I surprised! What a twist! I never saw it coming! You got to read this book! You won't figure it out!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not A Normal Family by Rachel Hargrove is a Mystery Thriller that has many twists and turns. Once you think you know who it is, you change your mind… And then AGAIN!
This book was hard to put down and kept me guessing and wanting to read until the end.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and definitely will not be my last.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jesse Gleason · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Not A Normal Family', that title is no joke. It was a little too far out there for me. I have a child with a verbally abusive narcissist and it made this story line hard to be believable. The writing was good but between the storyline itself and the forced twists it was a let down. The story was written in the same style as 'One by One' by Frieda McFadden and I felt like it was very similar story also

[Anjali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so twisted

3.5🌟

I really wanted to dock some points off for Scott but ultimately, his character made the story what it was. I would say that there were plenty of twists that kept me engaged though I did kind of guess some of them earlier. Overall a nice read, but I wouldn't wish this kind of family on anyone

[Petra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept hope it would get better but didn't...
Most of the book was the main character arguing with her ex husband. The twists were far-fetched and I didn't find the ending believable. I really just didn't enjoy it.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so stupid and a waste of time. Almost DNF at 28% because of the YA vibe and juvenile dialogue, but made myself finish because of the 4⭐️ Goodreads rating. I should’ve noticed how few reviews there were.

Scott was a pompous, obnoxious ass, filled with delusional bravado which Amber continued to respond to and engage in, and their dialogue was actually exhausting to read. Draining as well as ridiculous. The whole premise of this book was ridiculous, there is no way a family trip would be court ordered like this, especially for a 17 year old kid. The way the author kept describing “the kids” doing things like excitedly exiting the car and racing to the cabin made me think she’s never met a teenager before.
This wasn’t twisty either. Where are these reviewers finding twists? 👀 The mild mannered new husband turns out to be the killer, but with no apparent motive that makes any sense. Then also the daughter is the killer? Which is pulled out at the very end for shock value and doesn’t make any sense either.
Overall a terrible book.
Hopefully this review will stop someone like me from having hope that the book improves. It doesn’t.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW! This is a must read!

Rachel Hargrove's Not a Normal Family is a psychological thriller that NEVER ends! Just when you think you've figured it out, along comes another twist! It's like a corkscrew of surprises!
A family of exes and their respective new spouses and kids head into the woods for a weekend getaway! The first day there they start out on what is supposed to be a couple of hours hike but in perfect thriller fashion, things get twisted around and they find themselves lost with little food or water! There is where the true mind bending excitement begins as we find ourselves deep in the middle of a fantastic who done it!
You'll keep guessing and finding new twists and reveals until the very last page; literally!
If you love psychological thrillers then this is definitely a book for you! I have another of her books in my library that I'm now dying to start!

[Donna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber and Scott have each remarried after their divorce. They had a daughter and as part of the divorce agreement, they would spend an annual week long vacation together. Now that they’ve remarried, the vacation includes their new families. Amber has planned a special camping trip for this final required group vacation. Scott and Amber do not get along as he is critical of every thing she says and does. She tries to keep things on an even keel even though she hates his behavior. Scott considers himself an expert and manages to get them lost on a disastrous hiking trip. It becomes a life or death situation and no one is safe because there are deadly secrets within the group.
This is a tense page turning story with twists that will surprise you.

[Nan Christine Borton-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read

Although I gave the book three stars it IS a decent read. The the storyline is original … I mean just imagine exes with new partners and kids going camping together as a vacation … the thought brings up the 3rd circle of hell. Within a day the group is lost in some national forest and it only goes down hill from there. There were plenty of twists and turns in the book that kept you guessing, but there were to many storylines and different arcs without depth and a few proofing errors that led to my rating.
Definitely a domestic thriller with some great storylines but lacking in setting, basic backstories and the story arc in my opinion was off.
I will continue to follow the author because the potential for really great reading is there,

[George Stenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good basic idea - several people are lost in the forest on a "family" hike. However, it fell short for me. There were too many conflicts before the hike to think that this would be a good idea. The ex-husband constantly verbally abused his ex-wife especially about her weight. How many times must he degrade her because she is overweight? Also, her current husband only spoke up in her defense after much verbal abuse. Their dialogue seemed juvenile at best. There is also a background story about a boy being abused by his father and his wives. The characters were so unlikeable that it was had to care about who would survive the hike and who would not.

[Lori Feldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read full of twists and turns! Just as you think you have it figured out, it takes a completely unexpected direction.
Hargrove's writing style is so easy to read that the pages flew by and I read it cover-to-cover in one afternoon.
While the book zips along at a fast pace, character development is strong enough to invoke feelings of hatred for the story's abusive narcissist.
Highly recommend this book about a 3 hour hike that turns deadly for some as they find themselves in the company of a psychopathic serial killer.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐬. 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫.

Amber's divorce agreement includes her taking an annual family trip with her ex-husband Scott and daughter Nicole. This year is a hiking/camping trip that includes their new spouses Cameron and Laura. Additionally, Scott’s brother Fred and Amber’s stepson, David are in attendance as well.

Amber and Scott have a volatile relationship, and the added mix of all the other people certainly doesn't make Scott mind his manners. I got so tired of the fatphobic remarks he kept hurling at Amber. I get that his character was supposed to be a gaslighting, narcissistic dirtbag, but the incessant comments were just over the top. When Laura ends up dead, the mystery really heats up; did a member of the group kill her, and if so, why; or was her death simply an accident, a misstep that turned into a deadly fall?

The ending was unexpected, and not in a good way. If that final twist had been left out, this would have been a four-star read. It was too much in an already drama filled book. I did like the author's writing style, so I'll definitely check out more of her books.

[Hailey Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW…

Rachel Hargrove thank you so much for blessing me with this wild ride! It kept me guessing and hooked the whole book and I loved the dialogue between the Family. I felt like I was living through the trip with the characters! The ending sent shivers through my spine!

PLEASE take the time to read this book! You won’t regret it!

FIVE STARS FROM ME!! I can’t wait to read the HouseKeeper in May!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty good. Couple cliff hangers though.

1) What did Laura want to tell Amber?
2) Who shot the arrow at Amber's head?

Had a little hard time believing that Nicole was capable of murder, to be honest. Also the 2nd time Erica's death was mentioned, I knew something was up with that -- dead giveaway. No pun intended.

Overall, I would say it's a solid 4& 1/2, but GR won't let you rate half stars, so here we are!