Darling Beasts

by Michelle Gable

A family drama with a speculative twist about three siblings and one beastly surprise, from the New York Times bestselling author

“Weird, witty, and totally delightful, with echoes of Schitt’s Creek but with more teeth! I loved it.” —Annie Hartnett, author of Unlikely Animals and The Road to Tender Hearts 

Gabby, Talia, and Ozzie Gunn, heirs to a media empire, are in trouble. After several bad investments and one major scandal, their father is now trying to restore their family’s good name with a senatorial run. Even worse? He’s demanding they move to California to join the campaign or risk being cut off.

It’s easy to say you don’t care about money when you have enough, but with mounting debts, unconventional hobbies, and in the case of Gabby, Portum Bestiae Syndrome—a very expensive condition in which strange symptoms arise and then an exotic animal appears—the siblings don’t have much of a choice. In California, they’ll just have to keep their distance and survive until it’s all over.

But almost immediately, the Gunns find themselves right in the thick of things, dodging headlines and the creatures that seem to pop up in the most inconvenient places. Not only that—the change in scenery even has them bonding, on hot-air balloon rides and sunny beaches. But when a family secret rears its head, reopening old wounds, this new existence is thrown into chaos, and the stage is set for a long-overdue reckoning…

Genres: Fiction, Magical Realism, Contemporary, Audiobook, Family Drama, Family, Summer

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Michelle Gable is the New York Times Bestselling author of A PARIS APARTMENT, I'LL SEE YOU IN PARIS, THE BOOK OF SUMMER, and THE SUMMER I MET JACK.

Michelle grew up in San Diego and attended The College of William & Mary, where she majored in accounting, as most aspiring writers do. After a twenty-year career in finance, Michelle now writes full-time. She lives in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, with her husband, two daughters, and what is quickly becoming a menagerie: one cat, one bunny, and a lab/jindo mix recently rescued from the dog meat trade in Thailand.

Michelle can be reached at www.michellegable.com or on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest at @MGableWriter.

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much FUN! For some reason I’ve been blindly picking up books this month that have similar traits as those present in this book- dysfunctional characters/dynamics, witty dialogue with laugh out loud moments, and easy to digest material perfect for a beach read.

But what differentiated this one was the wildly unique and incredible inventive element of having one of the main characters diagnosed with Portum Beastiae Syndrome. In other words it’s a fictional syndrome in which Gabby experiences a strange physical symptom when stressed and then an exotic animal immediately appears. From bald eagles to cassowary birds (sort of like a velociraptor in bird form), this added such a symbolic and unpredictable layer to this otherwise light read! The writing was incredibly clever and the sibling/family dynamic made for some truly comedic moments. I really enjoyed each character as we peel back their layers.

This was sort like Succession meets Gifted & Talented meets Schitt’s Creek (oddly enough) but then add in that magical realism element and you’ve got a refreshingly unique story! There’s also a family inheritance at stake as the siblings are forced to work on their father’s new career direction-running for office in California. There’s so much to enjoy in this story with some heartfelt moments embedded within. I also binged it on audio and highly recommend that format and its narrator.

•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ read if you like Succession, Schitt’s Creek or have read Gifted & Talented
+ dysfunctional family dynamics
+ California setting
+ family-run political campaign
+ adult sibling drama
+ fictional syndrome that lends a fantasy element
+ witty dialogue
+ humorous moments
+ great on audio
+ family wealth/inheritance at stake
+ light beach read with emotional and heartfelt layers

𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 8, 2025
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: General Fiction • Magical Realism • Beach Read
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Audio (10h 7m) 🎧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: Eleanor Caudill
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★☆ 𝟒.𝟓
{rounded up on GR)
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: I really enjoyed it!

Thank you @harlequinbooks @graydonhousebooks @netgalley @harperviabooks for my #gifted ALC!

Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNk9hyKxb...

[Bryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars This was great fun! So much different than @mgablewriter usual writing of historical fiction. This could be my favorite of her books. It was so funny and the family dysfunction was over the top in a good way. Three siblings are forced to come together as their father, who has lost the family fortune, decides to reinvent himself and run for political office across the country. The best part is that sibling Gabby has a disease that manifests creatures just as some disaster is about to happen…and lots of disasters happen. The family has a lot to work through and really the animals are the least of their problems. But they sure to add to the fun. This is so quirky and unique. I feel so lucky to have won an ARC. Knowing Michelle it was fun to see some of her personal life infused into the story in subtle ways. This book comes out July 8th and will make a super fun beach read.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, quirky read. Nice and easy and a little goofy.

[Linnea]

I picked up Darling Beasts because I loved the cover. It made me think a little bit about The Nest - dysfunctional family drama and rich descriptions - so I was excited to read it.

This is the story of three siblings whose father (a recently-poor media mogul) has decided to run for political office in California, although they grew up in New York. There are so many interwoven details:
- magical realism (PBS)
- juvenile rehab center
- cause of death for the children's mother
- hilarious new step mother
- politics
- and more

I enjoyed reading this and enjoyed the characters, but it didn't really feel like a book, with a main problem that needs to be solved. It felt like it was trying to do so many things at once that it was more like the collection of storylines from the first few seasons of a primetime drama. There were a lot of different avenues that the book goes down (see above) and then just sort of pops back into the story of politics and it reminds me of when there are different writers for different episodes on shows and they get to focus on their vision for the characters and there's a lot going on.

The three siblings also had a lot of resentment and misunderstandings toward each other and they kept having these intense conversations and solving their feelings and then coming away from the conversations being like "actually I don't feel like that was resolved at all" so that was hard to keep up with - again, very on/off tv show style.

Overall, although there is magical realism, the rest of the characters refer to it as odd, so I enjoyed that aspect. It felt grounded in reality. This was absolutely fine to read, compelling, not super clear on messaging.

[Jill Elizabeth]

I really liked the way this one started, and was clicking along and enjoying the snark and back-and-forth between the siblings until about 25% in - when I realized that the snark and back-and-forth was all there was to the book... It began to feel repetitive and the different voices of each character were so stereotypical for their stated personality that they started to irritate me. There was not a lot of there there, and it started to detract from the story for me. I wanted some development or engagement beyond each of them in their own bubble, complaining about nearly the same things over and over again. Even the mysterious eponymous beasts weren't enough to keep me engaged in this one, and I DNF'd shortly thereafter...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Kim Hooper]

This was a fun read. Michelle Gable usually writes historical fiction but I appreciated this contemporary story. I always love a story about siblings and this one was funny and charming and light--just what I needed when the news cycle is so dark.

[Jessica O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this light family drama reminiscent of Schmitt’s Creek. It wasn’t mind blowing, my life wasn’t altered in reading this, but it was enjoyable. There was some tensions that could have been explored more, but overall it was a light, entertaining comic family drama.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential, it didn't materialize.

[Isabelle Christiansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe more like 2.5 stars? It was a fast read but also very much a silly/unserious book. Too much slang for my liking… I don’t want to see the words “let him cook” in a book

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siblings Talia, Gabby, and Ozzie Gunn are each living their own lives when their father, Marshton Gunn, summons them to San Diego to help with his latest project—a political campaign. Still reeling from the fallout of his brother Doug’s arrest and the collapse of their family business, Marshton is hoping this new venture will be a comeback. Talia, the responsible eldest, agrees without much protest, while Gabby and Ozzie are far more reluctant.

As the siblings work together in close quarters for the first time in years, buried resentments and long-held secrets begin to surface. The strained dynamic between them and their father adds tension and emotional weight to the story.

Complicating matters is Gabby’s condition—PBS, a rare and magical illness that causes her to manifest wild animals during emotional flares. Whether it’s flamingoes or emus, Gabby never knows what creature might appear next, or when her itching flare-ups will begin.

At its heart, Darling Beasts explores the lasting impact of family trauma and the way the past can quietly shape our present. It also considers the cost of secrecy—especially the kind kept for decades—and the ways love and resentment can coexist within the same relationships.

The book’s short, punchy chapters kept the pacing brisk and accessible, which I appreciated. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the siblings; each had a distinct voice and perspective, and the alternating points of view helped flesh out their individual arcs.

I picked up this novel for a reading challenge prompt involving “creatures,” and while Gabby’s magical condition intrigued me, the magical realism aspect felt a bit underdeveloped. The animal manifestations were quirky and fun, but I would have loved to see that element explored more deeply or connected more symbolically to the plot and emotional themes.

Still, Darling Beasts is an enjoyable, emotionally rich story about complicated family ties, generational baggage, and the awkward beauty of reconnection. A great pick for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with a twist of the surreal.

[Alexis Laudenslager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the theme of illnesses that you can’t see, the harms of keeping emotions inside, and the lack of functionality of families who keep large secrets from one another. The book is a bit odd at first, but in the end I came to love all the characters!

[Lizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected and delightful.

I received an ARC of this and didn’t really have any expectations going into it but was pleasantly surprised. The plot was a little quirky and the characters a little brash but it works!
It feels grounded and relatable even with the sillier moments and makes for a great poolside read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

slight romance and some cheating. loved the family and how they helped their dad run for office but mainly gabby, talia and ozzie worked on their relationships. loved that gabby had a weird flare of animals

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Michelle Gable’s new book! Read this in one sitting. It is a departure from her historical fiction pieces, but a quick, contemporary, entertaining read, with interesting characters, complicated family dynamics, and a quirky animal side story. Definitely recommend!

[Jenny Sanders Mororó · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely one of the most unique reads of this year. Just as I felt I was finally understanding what was going on and who the characters were it just kind of ended before anything happened at all

[Pam Mclaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tolstoy wrote: All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. The Gunn family is not miserable, but they aren't happy either, and at least one member is unhappy in a very unusual way. The Gunn family once owned a major media empire. But a family member decided to get both greedy and creative with company funds, leaving the company in ruins and their personal finances uncertain. Marston Gunn calls his adult children to their soon-to-be-sold childhood home to make announcement. He has decided to run for the U.S. Senate, and he wants them to help.

The kids are less than enthused. Talia, the oldest, is a corporate lawyer still trying to make a professional name for herself. Ozzie, the youngest, is an influencer who calls himself DegenerateOz. Despite his nom de Web, he is a rather nice guy who mainly puzzles and frustrates the people around him. Gabby, the middle child, runs an experimental theater company in a barn in upstate New York. She also suffers from Portum Bestiae Syndrome (PBS for short). When she gets stressed out, a random animal will appear. This is rather bad for her finances, as rehoming exotic beasts is expensive Then their step-mother lowers the boom - come to California to help your father, or your trust fund allowance will be cut off.

So off to California they go. They will stay on a family property, one that is full of memories for them. Their mother died there. Was it natural causes, or was it suicide? The adult children aren't sure, since their father was less than open about the circumstances of her death. In fact, that is a theme running through the book - secrets and resentments festering instead of being acknowledged and dealt with.

But this is not a heavy, depressing book. Yes, they deal with serious issues, but there is also the absurdity of the whole senatorial race, Gabby's awkward relationship with a fellow PBS sufferer, and a hot-air balloon publicity stunt that goes awry.

A pleasant read for people who don't mind a little fantasy with their family drama.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book

I wanted to like this book. In fact, I probably would have liked this book if I hadn't been so misled by the subtitle and then disappointed when the book didn't live up to it.

Humorous? Yes.
Magical Realism? Barely.
Family? Yes.
Saga? Nope.
Sibling Heirs? I suppose, but not enough to make it part of the title.
Exotic Animals? Disappointingly few.
And Darling Beasts? I really don't get it.

I finished the book feeling like I must have missed something. Was this the condensed version that left out almost every part that went into the title?

I liked the flawed characters. I thought almost all of the content was ridiculous while still being believable and relatable. The ending was the perfect combination of tying everything up and letting the reader know that the characters still had great things ahead in their lives.

If the book had used something other than PBS (Portum Bestiae Syndrome) as a plot device and been titled something like Family Lost and Found it would have been an easy 4 stars. But the disconnect between the title and the book itself brought it down to 3 stars at most.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.*

I have had the pleasure of knowing Michelle online for nearly 20 years and have enjoyed all of her previous books. Obviously, some more than others, but all of her previously published works were historical fiction.

Darling Beasts makes a departure from type and tells a wacky family story with a paranormal twist.

This family drama tells the story of the Gunn family - targeting the three adult children that are heirs to a media fortune who are faced with the downfall of the company when their uncle is caught in a scandal and their father decides to save the family. name by running for office. The siblings have shared and individual trauma which is touching and somehow funny. One of them has a bizarre condition that causes the spontaneous appearance of wild animals.

I cannot explain why this works but it does.

I enjoyed the curious characters and the utter absurdity of the condition. I felt like the story ended abruptly but maybe that is because I wanted it to be a series.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Rachel Dalton (relisedreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

I normally love books featuring out of touch rich people having to live like a 'normal' person ala Schitt's Creek. But something about this book didn't really work for me. There didn't feel like there was growth with any of the rich characters. The siblings did seem to get a bit closer but there wasn't a overall they didn't seem to have learned anything. Their father wasn't much better than his children and his political career felt like a joke from start to finish.

I think what really bothered me about this was Gabby's Portum Bestiae Syndrome. This being the only bit of magical realism in a book about out of touch people just felt jarring. Especially since most of Gabby's family didn't even believe it was real. The random animals popping up whenever Gabby felt stressed should have been fun but instead felt like I was reading a different book momentarily before jumping back into a political career. I definitely think it's possible to blend genres but this just didn't have that transition for me.

Thanks Netgalley and Graydon House for providing this ARC to me!

[Riley Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ – A compelling concept that didn’t quite land for me
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Darling Beasts had such an intriguing premise, and I went in hopeful—but I ended up feeling a bit emotionally disconnected from the characters. While the audiobook was well done and the narration helped carry the story, I found it hard to truly root for or relate to anyone, which made it tough to stay fully engaged. That said, I did appreciate the subtle exploration of mental health issues woven throughout—it added a layer of depth that kept me curious.

For readers who enjoy literary fiction with complex (and sometimes unlikable) characters, slow-burn development, and a singular narrative thread, this might resonate more. It wasn’t quite the right fit for me, but I can absolutely see the appeal for others.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succession meets Schitt's Creek. Murdoch-like family loses all their money, is forced to move in together at the one remaining property they own, eventually they become close again and heartwarmingness ensues.

The marketing calls it Succession meets Nothing to See Here, and, yes, like the spontaneous combustion in that book, there is a fantastical medical condition that is treated as just a real thing that exists. And a political campaign.

Usually books that have very specific comps like all of these feel derivative or as if the comps were a reach that leaves me disappointed, but this was great! The writing was sharp and specific and didn't feel like a knockoff. I liked it a lot.

[Lillian Steuben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was BEYOND fun and fitting for today's interest in politics (don't worry, lots of satire and humor fill the pages!)

Three siblings are dragged on an adventure with their father, Marshton, gets the idea that he wants to move from NY to San Diego to run a political campaign. Talia, Gabby, and Ozzie don't quite get along and each have their own messed up lives, but here they are trying to family bond and support something they cannot get behind. Resentments surface and emotions run high. Throw in a step-mom and memories of their mother who passed away, there is lots of family drama on the compound - the chapters were short and quirky. I loved Gabby's condition - PBS, where she flares up and manifests animals during emotional distress??? lol I loved it.

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chill read, but pretty anticlimactic.
I was anticipating a plot twist or something more sinister to be brewing. Like the dad would have actually been the mastermind behind the business scandal or the kids would realize he’s trying to give republicans a better chance by splitting the democratic votes (maybe because he’s being blackmailed or paid off to do so) or the step mom would be in it just for the money or the nanny was actually manipulative all along! But it’s just a semi-dysfunctional family (how dysfunctional can you claim to be when everyone comes together for family meetings?) talking out their trauma.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I can adequately describe exactly how much I loved this book, but I will try. Just know that I have listened to the audiobook, narrated perfectly by Eleanor Caudill, at least five times already because I just can't get enough of this quirky, eccentric family. The siblings are so eclectic and unique, yet their bond and quarrels are so traditional. The descriptions of the animals are hilarious and had me laughing out loud. The family drama is based in love, but explodes outward from there into a zany wild ride that left me feeling all the feels.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stroop · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this was fun—three siblings find themselves at the whim of their wealthy father who has decided to run for government and one of the siblings has a curious condition that involves exotic animals popping up whenever she is in distress. The story has a chaotic, zany energy. I enjoyed the different narrators and each of the siblings had a distinct personality and I would have loved more character development/insight into the Gunn siblings and even Marston.

Thank you to Harlequin Graydon House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another DULL mind numbing book about 3 spoiled whiny r narcissistic unproductive siblings and a father just as stupid.

Ie not humorous not clever not original.


I see lots of fun " woke " themes too .I quit 1/ 5 in ..brain was gonna bleed at this hideous train wreck.

Ps I missed that there was a " book club discussion question " section when I took it from library .If I had known never would of. .every book w a " discussion for book club " i made the mistake of trying has been mind-numbing full and / or hideous.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three adult chiden of a wealthy millionaire are shocked to learn that their father, who recently lost his family's company, is running for office and wants his children to move to California and help with his campaign. 


Each sibling has their oddities, especially Gabby who has episodes which result in rashes and conjured live animals. 

This madcap family drama is a good readalike for Kevin Wilson fans.

[Mara Bosloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a really great premise with a fun touch of magical realism… but it didn’t really live up to its own premise. The story never really reached a satisfactory ending point (nor enough to really build to an end at all). The big family secret suggested by the synopsis was eventually revealed in a lukewarm manner that left me shrugging my shoulders and hoping for more (but not receiving it).

[J R · Rating 3 out of 5]

the biggest flaw here for me was that it was trying to be both a political story/family story and a magical realism manifesting animals disease book, but missed the mark on the transitions. 3 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.

This was a solid family story with a touch of quirk that made it entertaining. A solid story with good characters- I enjoyed each of the siblings as characters. I'd certainly read more from this author.