The Other Family

by Theo Baxter

This is one family you don’t want to join.

Things haven’t been easy for fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton. She’s just recovering from the death of her mother when her father Jesse has a mental breakdown.

She’s taken out of his care and given to a foster family, the Bradfords. The Bradfords live in the middle of nowhere and seem like pious, God-fearing people.

But Sam soon notices some disturbing things. The forbidden rooms. The strict rules. The cameras that track her every move.

When Sam discovers that two girls previously fostered by the Bradfords have disappeared without trace, she realises she may be in grave danger.

Sam is smart and resourceful. And she’ll need to be - because the Bradfords have a dark secret. A secret which will thrust Sam into a terrifying nightmare from which she may never wake.

The Other Family – the shocking psychological thriller by the best-selling author of The Stepfather and Not My Mother.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

ebook

Published January 26, 2025

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is the nail-biting psychological thriller in the room with us? This was so awful and just laughably unrealistic.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a crazy wild ride I had trouble putting my kindle down. There were so many times that my jaw physically dropped. My heart breaks for Sam and even at times Jesse, her father (even though he’s the one who put Sam in a bad to an even worse situation). This was definitely a slow burn with a lot of unlikable characters but I was hooked from the beginning. I will definitely be checking out more books by Theo Baxter Please check the trigger warnings before diving into this book! Thank you so much NetGalley for being sharing this ARC with me.

[Tristan Waldie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got my money’s worth ($1.99)

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Family was a very well written suspense thriller, that truly had moments that had me at the edge of my seat. I felt the intensity of some of the chapters through the words as the pages continued. There was huge character development, in which I love to see. It was paced very well, with enough back story to be pleased as the plot progressed.

The story follows Sam and her father Jesse, as they weave through the web of life together after Sam’s mother has passed. Jesse still battling from PTSD, has a mental lapse in judgement that causes him to loose custody of Sam and she is forced into temporary foster care. When Sam arrives at the Bradfords farm, it doesn’t take her long to discover that something very sinister is taking place there. With strict rules, monitored conversations, and limited alone time, Sam is faced with the challenge of surviving this nightmare that she has been forced in, as she secretly tries to figure out how to ask for help without being caught. There are also 3 other girls living there that she feels obliged to help. When Jesse finally reads between the lines and discovers that his daughter is in danger, he shows just how far a father would go to protect his child!

Highly recommend & definitely plan to check out more of Theo Baxter’s work.

Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Theo’s books, especially the Kendrick series, and I seek his books out as soon as they are released. I am pained to admit that this book wasn’t that great for me. The daughter of a man who attempted suicide is placed in the care of a religious zealot and his wife. There are 3 other girls in their care. The book centers on the abuse of the three girls, and the daughter’s attempt to break away. The foster parents are truly horrible people, but I felt like it was too repetitive. So much so that I skimmed most of the pages until the final chapters.

[Ali Dennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It had so many twists, turns, and what the heck moments! 5 stars from me!

[Zoé-Lee O'Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think Theo can't go any darker...he delivers this! A book of corruption and so much intensity it is unreal. When Samantha is removed from her dad to live with the Bradfords, you are just unsettled from the start. The house isn't right, nothing is right. The thing is you know what is going on, without being told what is going on....until you are told. Wow! The way these girls and Mrs Bradford are conditioned.... unreal.

There are a couple of moments where my jaw just dropped and one when I did yelp as I had no idea it was going to happen. I was on edge constantly throughout. It is very dark and twisty and seriously well...dark.

I detested Reverend Gareth Bradford, who was a nasty, vile messed-up man. His wife wasn't much better. In my head, I pictured them as the characters in that creepy painting you see in Rocky Horror, or old school clothes and a pitchfork. They deserve zero sympathy in life, and they got none from me.

The girls, it was heartbreaking. What they had been through. What they were going through. A life of fear and projected sin. They should have been enjoying life and smiling and free....none of that was happening here.

This book terrified me. It made me squish the little one that bit tighter.

But what a book!

[Lexa K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book took quite a while for me to get into, once the pace picked up, I was completely engrossed all the way through to the end.

Jesse and Sam Cotton are survivalists, classed as outcasts in their small town. But when Jesse has a mental breakdown, things get worse as Sam is taken by social services to live with the Bradfords when Jesse loses custody of his daughter.

I liked the dual POV for this book. Told through the eyes of both Sam and Jesse in different chapters, both characters had a distinct voice of their own, and it was easy to move into the switch of perspective.

Once the book picked up and the Bradfords really got going with their reign of terror, I couldn't put the book down, wanting to know what would happen next.

There were definitely some moments where I questioned why characters would/wouldn't do something, but that is a me problem and nothing to do with the overall story.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Tabathareads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. This didn’t read like a thriller to me—there were no real twists or turns. While it tackles dark themes (check content warnings), it felt more like a grim family drama than a suspenseful ride. The setup had potential, but the story dragged, and the tension never fully delivered. If you’re looking for a gripping psychological thriller, this one might disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley & Inkubator Books for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all of Theo’s books as soon as they are out. This book was good. It wasn’t my favorite due to the subject matter. I don’t like adults abusing children, and this book was tough to read at times. Theo does have an easy writing style that helps move this book at a steady pace. If you haven’t read any of his books, give them a try especially the Marcy detective series.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy wild ride of a book, touchy subjects that were written just right to not be too hard to read. So glad of the ending. Perfect.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book

[Sophie Brand · Rating 1 out of 5]

absolutely shocking if i’m honest

[Heather K · Rating 2 out of 5]

*you can totally tell it was written by a man.*
I’m sorry but maybe it’s because I’ve read so many good books lately but… no. The survivalist thing being a “super subtle” nod to a future way the main character was going to save them all was annoying. The survivalist thing wasn’t annoying it itself.

[Emily Romans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down this weekend. What’s most unsettling is that this stuff happens in every day life now. Heartbreaking. Only short of 5 stars because a lot happens at the end and I wanted a bit more depth. Great story, ok ending.

[Supriya K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: The Other Family by Theo Baxter
Pub Date Jan 26 2025
General Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
My Rating:🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

Thank you @netgalley @inkubatorbooks

The Other Family is a mind-blowing psychological thriller that completely left me in silence and deep thought after finishing it. It’s the kind of book that grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go until the shocking, satisfying ending.

The story follows fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton, a brave and resourceful girl who’s been through immense trauma. After losing her mother and witnessing her father’s mental breakdown, Sam is placed in the custody of the Bradfords, a foster family that initially seems religious and well-meaning. But appearances can be deceiving.

The Bradfords’ home is a nightmare in disguise—a place where the rules are cruel, punishments are horrifying, and the house itself is filled with dark secrets. Sam is stripped of her identity, forced into ugly clothes, and subjected to endless chores while being watched by cameras at every turn. The house, isolated in the middle of nowhere, is designed to trap its victims, with no way out.

As Sam uncovers the sinister truth about the Bradfords and the fate of the girls who lived there before her, the tension skyrockets. The forbidden rooms, the eerie monitoring, and the disappearances create an atmosphere of dread that keeps you glued to the pages. Sam's realization that no one is coming to save her is chilling, but her determination to fight back and protect the other girls is nothing short of inspiring.

This book is horrifying in its realism, shedding light on the dark realities that exist in some corners of the world. The vivid descriptions of the punishments, the secret room, and the constant fear create an unforgettable experience. The ending was both satisfying and heart-pounding, giving closure while leaving a lasting impression.

If you love fast-paced, unputdownable thrillers with shocking twists, The Other Family is a must-read. Theo Baxter delivers a gripping tale of survival, courage, and resilience. Highly recommended.

#TheOtherFamily #NetGalley.

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Family by Theo Baxter is a tense psychological thriller that deals with sensitive subjects such as pedophilia, sexual abuse, and suicide. The way Baxter handles these topics is very well written and does not go into graphic detail.
Samantha Cotton is 15 years old and already has been through loss and pain. She has had to deal with the death of her mother and now her father Jesse is in a mental health spiral exacerbated by alcohol. As survivalists Sam and Jesse are self-reliant but when Sam just barely stops her father from shooting himself, they realize the authorities are bound to get involved. After her dad loses custody of her, Sam is sent to live with Reverend Gareth Bradford and his wife on a remote farm. The Bradfords are ultra religious and are also fostering three other young girls. Soon Sam realizes that the Bradfords have something to hide. Why are there cameras everywhere tracking their every move? What is up with the locked doors? And where does her roommate Grace get taken to every night? Can Sam find out the secrets of the house and be able to be reunited with her father? Or will she never be allowed to leave again?
This book was well written. I have not read anything else by Theo Baxter before so I'm not sure what I expected. The first part of the book was a little slow but it was necessary to build up the tension. The characters are well written and I especially liked watching Sam grow from grief stricken and helpless to empowered. Another thing I commend Baxter for is the way he handled the sensitive topics. He so delicately showed us the inner workings of faith, abuse and the misuse of power while not going too in-depth into these subjects.
Thank you to NetGalley, Theo Baxter and Inkubator Books for this ARC. Expected release date is January 26th 2025.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I see a Theo Baxter book, I jump on the chance to read it. I’m so glad I jumped at the chance to read this one! This is one crazy, wild ride of a book. This book does come with some trigger warnings so please make sure to check them out prior to diving in.

The Other Family is filled with tense, heart stopping moments. The beginning was a little bit slow but that was necessary in order to set the stage and write the build up of the story. Sam was a great character. She was smart and sassy, I loved that she kept up her training that she learned from her dad. She kept her wits about her. I also loved the other girls in the house. They were each written really well. Revealing only what they had to for fear of their foster parents, warning Sam when they felt necessary.

While there were a few moments in the book that shocked me, there was one particular moment that I audibly gasped. I just didn’t expect that particular scene to play out like it did!

I will say this.. Baxter hit the nail on the head with the frustrations for some when it comes to the foster care system and the CPS system. I don’t know if he wrote this based off research or from experience, but this story could easily have been true, at least to an extent. I think that’s what makes this book SO good. It’s so real, and so horrific.

It’s out now, so pick it up!

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo Baxter’s The Other Family promised an intriguing premise of psychological suspense but ultimately falls short. Approach with tempered expectations.

We follow fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton as she grapples with the trauma of losing her mother and her father Jesse’s mental collapse, landing her in the care of the mysterious and remote Bradford family. At first, the Bradfords seem like a devout and upright household, but their oppressive rules, hidden rooms, and invasive surveillance quickly suggest something far more sinister.
Baxter succeeds in creating a dark and foreboding atmosphere, that I have to give it to him. However, the novel’s execution falters in repetitive writing, the overuse of “I gritted my teeth,” grated on me and detracted me from the story whenever it came up.

I didn’t agree with the survivalist part of the characters, sorry. It was difficult to root for anyone at the start.

While the premise is promising, the narrative struggled to deliver. The key plot felt predictable, and the climactic moments lack the payoff one might expect in a psychological thriller.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE OTHER FAMILY BY THEO BAXTER.
Release date set for the 26th of January 2025.
I thought the storyline for this book was fab. Totally different and can't say I've read a plot like this one.
I felt so sorry for the main female character for everything she's been through.
The pace of the book picked up and few twists and turns.
I'm glad I read this one

[Kyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really enjoyable!! It started off slow but i was still intrigued. The build up to the end was so good and I’ll definitely be reading more of Theo Baxter catalog.

[Kirstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skim read the last 60%

Repetitive and not very thrilling ..

[Bernie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Made me stay up late to get to the end. Totally and thoroughly thrilling. Also disturbing to think this could really happen.

[Lana B- thrills_chills_and_frills · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — “Not all homes are safe. Not all families are holy.” 🙏🏚️💔

The Foster Family (or however it’s titled in your copy) is a gut-wrenching psychological, TWISTED thriller that balances edge-of-your-seat suspense with deeply emotional storytelling. It’s part survival story, part cautionary tale, and it does not shy away from heavy, sensitive themes.

Fifteen-year-old Sam Cotton has already been through hell—grieving her mother’s death and watching her father Jesse crumble under PTSD. When she’s sent to live with the Bradford family, they seem like the perfect, God-fearing foster parents. But the deeper Sam looks, the more she realizes that this picture-perfect home is built on something rotten. Locked doors. Hidden cameras. Missing girls. Every new discovery tightens the knot in your stomach.

The first half moves slowly, like watching a nightmare bloom in real time. But once the truth starts unraveling, it’s impossible to stop reading. Sam’s strength and resourcefulness are incredible—she’s brave in the way that only someone with nothing left to lose can be. Her chapters are tense, heartbreaking, and full of fight, while Jesse’s perspective adds another layer of frustration and hope as he battles to save his daughter in a system that keeps failing him.

This is a tough read at times—graphic, emotional, heavy, and painfully realistic—but it’s also a story about endurance and love surviving even the darkest circumstances. The ending brought tears and relief in equal measure, and the last few pages left me exhaling for what felt like the first time in hours.

💔 Verdict: Disturbing, heartbreaking, and beautifully written—a haunting look at trauma, faith, and what it means to survive when every adult has failed you.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this powerful, emotional read.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent audiobook about a teenage girl who is placed in foster care after her father’s attempted suicide. For Samantha “Sam”, this is an unexpected blow following her mother’s death months earlier. Things get worse when this supposedly pious Minister and his wife turn out to be religious zealots with many secrets to hide. Sam’s resourcefulness is tested as she tries to help the other foster girls who have been isolated on this remote property. Sam’s dad is tireless in his effort to get to her. While this thriller is a work of fiction, it seems to mirror what has happened in the past on remote properties with cult leaders and sister-wives’ abuse.

[Wanetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

So, this psychological thriller was okay. I can not imagine leaving with a religious zealot and his disturbed wife. And to think this could happen in real life. Like, this can be something you hear or see on a true crime show.

* content is heavy

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Theo Baxter and Inkubator Books for an ARC of this thriller. This book was “okay” for me. The subject and content was heavy, although there was a disclaimer at the beginning. Overall a 3.5 star read in my books.

[Katie Rosenkranz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would definitely not call this a “nail-biting psychological thriller” unless you think watching paint dry is thrilling. Zero depth and super unrealistic

[Christina M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was teetering on three stars but the Facebook live ending caught me off guard so i had to remove on smh

[Charissa Packham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my second book by this writer and I am just not too sure about his writing style.
He goes from reaaaallly slow, to way too fast.
With a book like this, with a very very heavy subject, I expected more depth. Not just rushed over everything. Too much was happening in this book at once and I think the writer just decided to rush it all, so he could get everything in. Its a shame because his books sound good, but just not fully doing it for me unfortunately. Who knows if I pick up another book from him.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo Baxter’s The Other Family is a pulse-pounding thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. With its compelling protagonist and a storyline that weaves suspense, mystery, and raw emotion, this book delivers a gripping tale of survival and courage.

The story follows 15-year-old Sam Cotton, whose life is upended after her mother’s tragic death and her father’s mental breakdown. Placed with the Bradford family, Sam soon discovers that their seemingly devout and orderly home hides dark secrets. Forbidden rooms, invasive surveillance, and unsettling disappearances set the stage for a chilling narrative that explores themes of control, manipulation, and resilience.

Baxter’s writing is both immersive and intense, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere within the remote Bradford home. The characters are richly drawn, with Sam standing out as a smart, resourceful, and deeply relatable heroine. Her journey from grief to empowerment is as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring.

The pacing is relentless, with twists and revelations that kept me guessing until the very end. While the “sinister foster family” trope might feel familiar, Baxter elevates it with a fresh perspective and layers of psychological depth. The story’s exploration of abuse, faith, and the misuse of power is handled with sensitivity, making the book both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling.

Highlights:

The atmospheric setting, which mirrors Sam’s growing sense of entrapment.
The intricate character development, especially Sam’s transformation from vulnerability to strength.
The suspenseful, twist-laden plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Final Thoughts:
The Other Family is an unputdownable thriller that blends emotional depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Theo Baxter’s ability to craft a chilling yet meaningful story cements his place as a master of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC. This book is a must-read for fans of gripping, character-driven thrillers. Highly recommended!