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.