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The Family Inside
"This plot isn't just twisted—it's down-right gnarled." —People Magazine
It takes a special family to turn a home into a nightmare.
Since her husband’s unsolved murder three years ago, Iris Blodgett’s life has unraveled. Awash in grief and buried in debt, she can’t pay her mortgage—and now that she’s lost her job, she has no idea how she’ll provide for her unruly teenage daughter, Ellory.
Facing eviction, Iris turns to her new beau, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, for a shoulder to cry on. But the seemingly perfect Hugh offers her something an invitation to move in to his mother’s centuries-old mansion while he renovates the property.
It seems like the perfect solution, but when Iris and Ellory arrive at Ravencliff, the family inside isn’t quite what they expected. Iris didn’t even know Hugh had siblings, much less that they’d all be living together.
With repairs underway, the house gives up its dark secrets one by one. Before long, Iris unearths a chilling family history—and the terrifying reason she and Ellory were invited in the first place…
It takes a special family to turn a home into a nightmare.
Since her husband’s unsolved murder three years ago, Iris Blodgett’s life has unraveled. Awash in grief and buried in debt, she can’t pay her mortgage—and now that she’s lost her job, she has no idea how she’ll provide for her unruly teenage daughter, Ellory.
Facing eviction, Iris turns to her new beau, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, for a shoulder to cry on. But the seemingly perfect Hugh offers her something an invitation to move in to his mother’s centuries-old mansion while he renovates the property.
It seems like the perfect solution, but when Iris and Ellory arrive at Ravencliff, the family inside isn’t quite what they expected. Iris didn’t even know Hugh had siblings, much less that they’d all be living together.
With repairs underway, the house gives up its dark secrets one by one. Before long, Iris unearths a chilling family history—and the terrifying reason she and Ellory were invited in the first place…
Audible Audio
First published January 28, 2025
220 people are currently reading
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About the author
Katie Garner
3 books321 followersKatie lives in a New Jersey river town with her husband, baby boy, and shih-poo where she writes books about women and their dark, secret selves. She is the author of The Night It Ended and The Family Inside.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 699 reviews
January 17, 2025
WOWZA! Give me a second while I recover from whiplash! What a twist filled, shocking, dramatic, and phenomenal book! Just when I thought I had this book all figured out, Katie Garner threw in another jaw dropping revelation which left me reeling!
Iris Blodget just can't seem to catch a break. After her husband was murdered three years ago, she and their daughter, Ellory, are left drowning in grief and debt. After losing not only her job but her home, Iris accepts an offer from her new boyfriend, Hugh, to come live with him in Ravencliff, his mother's crumbling mansion which he is renovating. There she will meet the family members Hugh never mentioned having and learn that secrets run deep in Hugh's family....
Holy Moly! This book was off the hook! I loved the pacing, the shocks, the revelations, the dread, the tension and don't get me started on the atmosphere. The home itself was a silent/not so silent character as well with its creaking floors, eerie rooms, and desperate need for repairs. Ravencliff is creepy and do not get me started on Hugh's family!
There was a lot going on in this book, but it never felt boggled down; instead, it made for a pulse pounding page turner! Katie Garner pulled the wool over my eyes, not once, not twice, but many times during this book! I fully invested and hung on for dear life during this wild ride of a book!
Gripping, shocking, well thought out, wonderfully written, and hard to put down!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Iris Blodget just can't seem to catch a break. After her husband was murdered three years ago, she and their daughter, Ellory, are left drowning in grief and debt. After losing not only her job but her home, Iris accepts an offer from her new boyfriend, Hugh, to come live with him in Ravencliff, his mother's crumbling mansion which he is renovating. There she will meet the family members Hugh never mentioned having and learn that secrets run deep in Hugh's family....
Holy Moly! This book was off the hook! I loved the pacing, the shocks, the revelations, the dread, the tension and don't get me started on the atmosphere. The home itself was a silent/not so silent character as well with its creaking floors, eerie rooms, and desperate need for repairs. Ravencliff is creepy and do not get me started on Hugh's family!
There was a lot going on in this book, but it never felt boggled down; instead, it made for a pulse pounding page turner! Katie Garner pulled the wool over my eyes, not once, not twice, but many times during this book! I fully invested and hung on for dear life during this wild ride of a book!
Gripping, shocking, well thought out, wonderfully written, and hard to put down!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
May 20, 2025
I'm addicted to twisty thrillers that pull the rug out from under you and make you scream "WTH!" at the end, proving the presence of a smart author who stays several steps ahead of the reader. These thrillers push you to use your gray cells harder to figure out the twists, but some still catch you off guard, making you smile as you acknowledge the author's creative and dark mind.
I loved this twisty read, which moves backwards to reveal a major incident from two different perspectives: Iris and Ellory. Even though some parts may seem coincidental, they are perfectly executed, filling all the plot holes as my piled-up questions are answered one by one.
The riveting pacing, intriguing mysteries about the eerie family members of a future husband, the disappearance of a teenager, past incidents that might be related to a haunting house, and the road trip of five young people with secret motives—all these mysteries keep you on your toes, each connecting in a logically twisty way that you never expect.
The story revolves around Iris, whose husband was murdered three years ago, with the perpetrator never caught. Burdened with the huge debt her husband left behind, Iris cannot pay the mortgage and must accept the auction of their family house. She strives to provide a better life for her 18-year-old daughter Ellory, who is deeply affected by her father's death. Ellory disapproves of her mother seeing the charming, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, as she herself is secretly seeing a mysterious boyfriend.
When Iris loses her job and their house, meaning they will have to live in her car, she struggles to confess this to her new boyfriend. Instead of running away, Hugh makes her an irresistible offer to live with him at his mother’s house, which needs renovation. Beggars can't be choosers, so this seems better than homelessness.
However, upon arriving at the centuries-old house at Ravencliff, Iris and Ellory discover they will be living not only with Hugh’s mother but also with his sister, brother, and sister-in-law. Their challenge is not just the dilapidated house filled with taxidermies and eerie accessories, but also the family's secret agendas, with everyone watching their every move like hawks. Hugh’s unexpected marriage proposal and the strange vanishing of both Ellory and Hugh’s brother’s wife, Camille, after she confesses fear of her husband, add to the tension.
These incidents are just the beginning of several catastrophic events that may endanger both Iris and Ellory, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions and the secrets they keep as the creepy family cooks up their own plans behind closed doors.
Oh boy! Just when I thought I had the whole picture, another twist hit me, and I vowed to figure out the next one—only to be sucker-punched by another surprise. This pattern continued till the end, and I failed to guess the big twists, making me admire the author’s brilliance even more. This book earned my five blazing stars!
Overall: Add this to your list! Don’t let it linger on your TBR list—just read it! It’s freaking AMAZING!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for consistently providing me with amazing review copies that deserve more than five stars and give me the perfect taste of literature!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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I loved this twisty read, which moves backwards to reveal a major incident from two different perspectives: Iris and Ellory. Even though some parts may seem coincidental, they are perfectly executed, filling all the plot holes as my piled-up questions are answered one by one.
The riveting pacing, intriguing mysteries about the eerie family members of a future husband, the disappearance of a teenager, past incidents that might be related to a haunting house, and the road trip of five young people with secret motives—all these mysteries keep you on your toes, each connecting in a logically twisty way that you never expect.
The story revolves around Iris, whose husband was murdered three years ago, with the perpetrator never caught. Burdened with the huge debt her husband left behind, Iris cannot pay the mortgage and must accept the auction of their family house. She strives to provide a better life for her 18-year-old daughter Ellory, who is deeply affected by her father's death. Ellory disapproves of her mother seeing the charming, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, as she herself is secretly seeing a mysterious boyfriend.
When Iris loses her job and their house, meaning they will have to live in her car, she struggles to confess this to her new boyfriend. Instead of running away, Hugh makes her an irresistible offer to live with him at his mother’s house, which needs renovation. Beggars can't be choosers, so this seems better than homelessness.
However, upon arriving at the centuries-old house at Ravencliff, Iris and Ellory discover they will be living not only with Hugh’s mother but also with his sister, brother, and sister-in-law. Their challenge is not just the dilapidated house filled with taxidermies and eerie accessories, but also the family's secret agendas, with everyone watching their every move like hawks. Hugh’s unexpected marriage proposal and the strange vanishing of both Ellory and Hugh’s brother’s wife, Camille, after she confesses fear of her husband, add to the tension.
These incidents are just the beginning of several catastrophic events that may endanger both Iris and Ellory, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions and the secrets they keep as the creepy family cooks up their own plans behind closed doors.
Oh boy! Just when I thought I had the whole picture, another twist hit me, and I vowed to figure out the next one—only to be sucker-punched by another surprise. This pattern continued till the end, and I failed to guess the big twists, making me admire the author’s brilliance even more. This book earned my five blazing stars!
Overall: Add this to your list! Don’t let it linger on your TBR list—just read it! It’s freaking AMAZING!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for consistently providing me with amazing review copies that deserve more than five stars and give me the perfect taste of literature!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
March 1, 2025
Have you ever fallen head first into a book and lost track of time? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me with The Family Inside. From the dark, twisty plot to the deliciously dysfunctional family, I was wrapped up in the story from the very first word. Those weren’t the only stellar pieces to this original premise, however. After all, the creepy setting and almost horror-esque feel made the house come alive more and more with each page. So much so, in fact, that it felt like yet another character with its strange noises, peeling wallpaper, and odd, dusty relics. These facts alone proved the point that while Katie Garner’s debut novel, The Night It Ended, was beyond good, she more than outdid herself this time around.
The characters were easily the special sauce to this unputdownable psychological thriller. Well-developed and thoroughly twisted, I couldn’t anticipate what any of them were up to no matter what I tried. And while they weren’t exactly realistic, it was all for the benefit of some dynamite drama that ended in a series of increasingly gasp-inducing twists, turning the entire plot on its head. I’m not exaggerating. At the start of the novel, I began to get rather annoying thinking that I knew exactly where the plot was going to go. Not only was I wrong, but I was shocked into silence by each and every reveal. Considering my insatiable appetite for all things suspense, this rarely happens to me so I was utterly floored.
As for the plot itself, it was told via the dual POVs of Iris and Ellory. Thanks to a well-plotted storyline, which was framed to perfection, I was kept me on the back foot throughout. Add in the flawlessly constructed unreliable narrator and plenty of long-buried secrets, and it just couldn’t have been better. I mean, even the feel of the book was divine with the atmospheric air and layers of mysterious pasts to unravel. But it was the combination of all of the above that made this book into the utter perfection that it ultimately was. Undeniably clever, psychologically acute, and a prime example of Ms. Garner’s prowess, this is one book that you won’t be able to put down until you hit the last shocking word. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Since her husband’s unsolved murder three years ago, Iris Blodgett’s life has unraveled. Awash in grief and buried in debt, she can’t pay her mortgage—and now that she’s lost her job, she has no idea how she’ll provide for her unruly teenage daughter, Ellory.
Facing eviction, Iris turns to her new beau, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, for a shoulder to cry on. But the seemingly perfect Hugh offers her something more: an invitation to move in to his mother’s centuries-old mansion while he renovates the property.
It seems like the perfect solution, but when Iris and Ellory arrive at Ravencliff, the family inside isn’t quite what they expected. Iris didn’t even know Hugh had siblings, much less that they’d all be living together.
With repairs underway, the house gives up its dark secrets one by one. Before long, Iris unearths a chilling family history—and the terrifying reason she and Ellory were invited in the first place…
Thank you to Katie Garner, HTP Books, and The Hive for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 28, 2025
Content warning: runaway child, breaking and entering, burglary, child birth, violence, death of a husband, mention of: heart disease/attack
The characters were easily the special sauce to this unputdownable psychological thriller. Well-developed and thoroughly twisted, I couldn’t anticipate what any of them were up to no matter what I tried. And while they weren’t exactly realistic, it was all for the benefit of some dynamite drama that ended in a series of increasingly gasp-inducing twists, turning the entire plot on its head. I’m not exaggerating. At the start of the novel, I began to get rather annoying thinking that I knew exactly where the plot was going to go. Not only was I wrong, but I was shocked into silence by each and every reveal. Considering my insatiable appetite for all things suspense, this rarely happens to me so I was utterly floored.
As for the plot itself, it was told via the dual POVs of Iris and Ellory. Thanks to a well-plotted storyline, which was framed to perfection, I was kept me on the back foot throughout. Add in the flawlessly constructed unreliable narrator and plenty of long-buried secrets, and it just couldn’t have been better. I mean, even the feel of the book was divine with the atmospheric air and layers of mysterious pasts to unravel. But it was the combination of all of the above that made this book into the utter perfection that it ultimately was. Undeniably clever, psychologically acute, and a prime example of Ms. Garner’s prowess, this is one book that you won’t be able to put down until you hit the last shocking word. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Since her husband’s unsolved murder three years ago, Iris Blodgett’s life has unraveled. Awash in grief and buried in debt, she can’t pay her mortgage—and now that she’s lost her job, she has no idea how she’ll provide for her unruly teenage daughter, Ellory.
Facing eviction, Iris turns to her new beau, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, for a shoulder to cry on. But the seemingly perfect Hugh offers her something more: an invitation to move in to his mother’s centuries-old mansion while he renovates the property.
It seems like the perfect solution, but when Iris and Ellory arrive at Ravencliff, the family inside isn’t quite what they expected. Iris didn’t even know Hugh had siblings, much less that they’d all be living together.
With repairs underway, the house gives up its dark secrets one by one. Before long, Iris unearths a chilling family history—and the terrifying reason she and Ellory were invited in the first place…
Thank you to Katie Garner, HTP Books, and The Hive for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 28, 2025
Content warning: runaway child, breaking and entering, burglary, child birth, violence, death of a husband, mention of: heart disease/attack
January 10, 2025
4.5* I'm exhausted with this psychological suspense!! What a book! What a family!! I didn't know you could drive so much home into a book, but this one... My thoughts on the eerie Ravencliff Gothic mansion began as my love for the enchanted Biltmore Castle, so I imagined every passageway, hidden door and mountain of steps as it, but it did not take long to see Ravencliff as the dilapidated and chilling place it is. This place has so many secrets, but it is the family inside that will have you running.
In Iris's POV, she shares her heartache and disappointments as she lost her husband to a horrible and unsolved murder three years ago. With grief, debt, job loss and a moody teenage daughter Ellory, who also shares her POV, she has reason to come unraveled and that she does....
When Iris falls in love with Hugh, a prominent architect, she accepts his proposal to move into the mansion with him while he renovates it. She also must accept his mother Birdie, his brother and sister-in-law and his sister. This family chilled me when she walked into the door with her daughter in tow.
There are so many twists, dark secrets, confusion with two timelines that I could not keep up with all their dysfunctional and creepy behaviors. The Gothic mansion has a life of its own and adds to atmospheric and catastrophic events that don't and won't stop... a Brilliant author to line up so many well-thought out details...maybe some are OTT, but sift through it, allow it to soak in, then realize this is what psychological thrillers are made of. I don't think I can think of one thriller that has so many story-lines going you become entangled in the web with it. Wait..who am I for? Who is good? Who is the bad guy?
Then her daughter and sister-in-law go missing...
One thing is for sure I realize Iris had a lot thrown at her and not sure if I could handle any of it, but she needed to chill and think before she acted. At times she was out of control, and I wanted to shake her. No one is who you think they should be which makes for an interesting ending. It is addictive that you can't stop reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for this ARC in exchange for my review!
In Iris's POV, she shares her heartache and disappointments as she lost her husband to a horrible and unsolved murder three years ago. With grief, debt, job loss and a moody teenage daughter Ellory, who also shares her POV, she has reason to come unraveled and that she does....
When Iris falls in love with Hugh, a prominent architect, she accepts his proposal to move into the mansion with him while he renovates it. She also must accept his mother Birdie, his brother and sister-in-law and his sister. This family chilled me when she walked into the door with her daughter in tow.
There are so many twists, dark secrets, confusion with two timelines that I could not keep up with all their dysfunctional and creepy behaviors. The Gothic mansion has a life of its own and adds to atmospheric and catastrophic events that don't and won't stop... a Brilliant author to line up so many well-thought out details...maybe some are OTT, but sift through it, allow it to soak in, then realize this is what psychological thrillers are made of. I don't think I can think of one thriller that has so many story-lines going you become entangled in the web with it. Wait..who am I for? Who is good? Who is the bad guy?
Then her daughter and sister-in-law go missing...
One thing is for sure I realize Iris had a lot thrown at her and not sure if I could handle any of it, but she needed to chill and think before she acted. At times she was out of control, and I wanted to shake her. No one is who you think they should be which makes for an interesting ending. It is addictive that you can't stop reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for this ARC in exchange for my review!
May 21, 2025
4 stars! 🌟 A huge thanks to Harlequin Audio & NetGalley for the ALC! 💌
WHEW. This book took me on a wild ride. The twists?? The drama?? The jaw-drop at 81% (or part 62 in audio)—I had to rewind three times just to process what I had just heard. 🤯 I was about to slap on 5 stars just for that moment alone. But then… it dragged. And dragged. 💤 And then twisted itself into even more twists until I was just mentally exhausted trying to keep up. 🧠💥 And that last twist? SUCH a letdown. 😮💨 I expected something better, something that would make me go OH. MY. GOD. instead of “Wait… that’s it?” 😕
Iris and her daughter Ellory move into her seemingly perfect boyfriend Hugh’s creepy Gothic mansion, thinking they’re getting a fresh start. 🏚️ HA. Nope. 🚨 The family inside? Unhinged. 👀 The house? Straight-up haunted vibes. 👻 And the secrets? Never-ending. 🔥 Every time I thought I had things figured out—BOOM—another twist. 😵💫 I was on my toes the entire time trying to separate fact from fiction, good from bad, and WHO was actually the most messed up in this family (spoiler: it’s all of them). 😬
But let’s talk about Iris for a second. Because HONESTLY, she frustrated me to no end. 🤦♀️ Girl, instead of getting in everyone’s face screaming, “I’M CALLING THE POLICE!!”—just play along. 🎭 Pretend to agree. Act like you’re on their side. Then make your move. ♟️ You would think she’d know what to do, especially since she’s been through a similar situation before. But nope, she went straight to panic mode, making everything ten times worse. 🚨 If she had just kept her cool, so much could have been avoided. Well, at least now I know exactly what NOT to do if I’m ever in her place.
🎭 Tropes & Vibes:
🏚️ Gothic mansion with dark secrets
👨👩👧👦 Dysfunctional rich family (so much drama)
🕵️♀️ Dual POV (Iris & Ellory’s perspectives)
🔄 Timeline jumps (confusing but WORTH IT)
🎢 Twists on twists on twists (some hit, some over the top)
The audiobook? PHENOMENAL. 🎧 Emily Lawrence and Ashley Klanac killed it with the eerie vibes. It made the book even creepier. ����
If you love psychological thrillers with a touch of WTF is happening, this one’s for you. But be warned: it does. not. stop. twisting—so keep your brain fully caffeinated ☕ before diving in.
WHEW. This book took me on a wild ride. The twists?? The drama?? The jaw-drop at 81% (or part 62 in audio)—I had to rewind three times just to process what I had just heard. 🤯 I was about to slap on 5 stars just for that moment alone. But then… it dragged. And dragged. 💤 And then twisted itself into even more twists until I was just mentally exhausted trying to keep up. 🧠💥 And that last twist? SUCH a letdown. 😮💨 I expected something better, something that would make me go OH. MY. GOD. instead of “Wait… that’s it?” 😕
Iris and her daughter Ellory move into her seemingly perfect boyfriend Hugh’s creepy Gothic mansion, thinking they’re getting a fresh start. 🏚️ HA. Nope. 🚨 The family inside? Unhinged. 👀 The house? Straight-up haunted vibes. 👻 And the secrets? Never-ending. 🔥 Every time I thought I had things figured out—BOOM—another twist. 😵💫 I was on my toes the entire time trying to separate fact from fiction, good from bad, and WHO was actually the most messed up in this family (spoiler: it’s all of them). 😬
But let’s talk about Iris for a second. Because HONESTLY, she frustrated me to no end. 🤦♀️ Girl, instead of getting in everyone’s face screaming, “I’M CALLING THE POLICE!!”—just play along. 🎭 Pretend to agree. Act like you’re on their side. Then make your move. ♟️ You would think she’d know what to do, especially since she’s been through a similar situation before. But nope, she went straight to panic mode, making everything ten times worse. 🚨 If she had just kept her cool, so much could have been avoided. Well, at least now I know exactly what NOT to do if I’m ever in her place.
🎭 Tropes & Vibes:
🏚️ Gothic mansion with dark secrets
👨👩👧👦 Dysfunctional rich family (so much drama)
🕵️♀️ Dual POV (Iris & Ellory’s perspectives)
🔄 Timeline jumps (confusing but WORTH IT)
🎢 Twists on twists on twists (some hit, some over the top)
The audiobook? PHENOMENAL. 🎧 Emily Lawrence and Ashley Klanac killed it with the eerie vibes. It made the book even creepier. ����
If you love psychological thrillers with a touch of WTF is happening, this one’s for you. But be warned: it does. not. stop. twisting—so keep your brain fully caffeinated ☕ before diving in.
January 23, 2025
Wow. Talk about a family full of lies and secrets. I couldn’t put this book down!!! Creepy house and eerie family members— YES PLEASE
Iris and her daughter Ellory have to change everything. Iris lost her job, house and even her husband was murdered. After losing everything, she’s invited to move in with her new boyfriend, Hugh. After moving in, things just get wonky. Hugh’s family is a little insane.
As Iris learns more about this family and this huge gothic home, she questions whether the move was the right choice.
If you enjoy crazy family dynamics, secrets, lies and murder, this one is for you. I’d like to thank @htp, @netgalley and Katie Garner for the opportunity.
publication date 1/28/2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Iris and her daughter Ellory have to change everything. Iris lost her job, house and even her husband was murdered. After losing everything, she’s invited to move in with her new boyfriend, Hugh. After moving in, things just get wonky. Hugh’s family is a little insane.
As Iris learns more about this family and this huge gothic home, she questions whether the move was the right choice.
If you enjoy crazy family dynamics, secrets, lies and murder, this one is for you. I’d like to thank @htp, @netgalley and Katie Garner for the opportunity.
publication date 1/28/2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 17, 2025
Irish Blodgett has struggled since the mysterious death of her husband three years ago. Struggling to make ends meet and worried about her daughter Ellory, she turns to her boyfriend Hugh who offers her the opportunity to move in with his family for the indefinite future. Upon their arrival, they quickly realize things are not what they seem.
This book is the definition of unhinged, but in the best way. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the author would throw in a huge twist that at times, had my jaw dropping. These characters were all a bit cray cray, albeit some way more than others. The house in this story feels larger than life, as does the property it sits on. The eeriness Iris feels definitely comes across loud and clear to the reader, and it’s that atmospheric nature that makes this one so fun.
Is it a little over the top at times? Yes. But was it hella fun? Definitely. This is the popcorn thriller you won’t want to put down. Even better, check out the audio helmed by Emily Lawrence and Ashley Klanac. Their narration took the creepy vibes up a notch or three.
Read if you like:
▪️fun twists
▪️multiple pov/timelines
▪️family dramas
▪️creepy houses
▪️Lisa Jewell’s The Family Upstairs
Thank you HTP Books and Harper Audio for the gifted copies.
📆 Pub: Jan 28, 2025
This book is the definition of unhinged, but in the best way. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the author would throw in a huge twist that at times, had my jaw dropping. These characters were all a bit cray cray, albeit some way more than others. The house in this story feels larger than life, as does the property it sits on. The eeriness Iris feels definitely comes across loud and clear to the reader, and it’s that atmospheric nature that makes this one so fun.
Is it a little over the top at times? Yes. But was it hella fun? Definitely. This is the popcorn thriller you won’t want to put down. Even better, check out the audio helmed by Emily Lawrence and Ashley Klanac. Their narration took the creepy vibes up a notch or three.
Read if you like:
▪️fun twists
▪️multiple pov/timelines
▪️family dramas
▪️creepy houses
▪️Lisa Jewell’s The Family Upstairs
Thank you HTP Books and Harper Audio for the gifted copies.
📆 Pub: Jan 28, 2025
January 10, 2025
The family inside was so intriguing ! When I saw this book recommended for people who enjoyed “knives out” and “ready or not” (both of which I LOVED!) I just knew this book would be filled to the brim with creepy dysfunctional family dynamics, some sort of large estate inheritance and a suspicious murderous plot and this book delivered on all accounts!
The plot follows Iris and her teenage daughter Ellory. Three years since the unfortunate passing of their husband / father they are in the terrible predicament of losing their house and becoming homeless.
That is when Iris dashingly handsome new boyfriend swoops in and offers them a place in his family home which he is renovated for his old aged mother. Only when she accepts Iris doesn’t realize the entire family siblings and spouses included are all living there, and there’s something just .. off .. about them all.
I could not keep from turning the pages I absolutely ate this book up! I love these kind of tropes and the suspension and mystery had me on the edge of my seat.
I would definitely recommend this read!
Thank you to HTP Publishing and Katie Garner for the EARC!
Publish date: feb 11th 2025
The plot follows Iris and her teenage daughter Ellory. Three years since the unfortunate passing of their husband / father they are in the terrible predicament of losing their house and becoming homeless.
That is when Iris dashingly handsome new boyfriend swoops in and offers them a place in his family home which he is renovated for his old aged mother. Only when she accepts Iris doesn’t realize the entire family siblings and spouses included are all living there, and there’s something just .. off .. about them all.
I could not keep from turning the pages I absolutely ate this book up! I love these kind of tropes and the suspension and mystery had me on the edge of my seat.
I would definitely recommend this read!
Thank you to HTP Publishing and Katie Garner for the EARC!
Publish date: feb 11th 2025
December 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Katie Garner's 2025 thriller, THE FAMILY INSIDE, immediately caught my attention because of the synopsis and the intriguing cover. I knew that this book was one I needed to prioritize because it sounded so juicy and similar to Lisa Jewell's A Family Upstairs (my favorite of her novels). Three years after her husband’s unsolved murder, Iris Blodgett is drowning in grief, debt, and the challenge of providing for her rebellious daughter, Ellory, after losing her job. When her new boyfriend, architect Hugh Smoll, offers a chance to move into his family’s eerie, centuries-old mansion during renovations, Iris discovers the house hides sinister secrets—and that her arrival was no coincidence.
This book wasn't similar to Lisa Jewell's A Family Upstairs, but it definitely had the creepy family mystery alive throughout the story. I felt that this book was more of a family drama, rather than a mystery/thriller, but it still was an enjoyable time regardless. The pacing of this story is rather slow and I caught myself wanted to skim ahead, so I had to catch myself a few times. That being said, the final twist(S!!) in this story completely through me for a loop, which put a nice little bow on my reading experience with this book. Fans of Georgina Cross and Seraphina Nova Glass will enjoy THE FAMILY INSIDE.
Katie Garner's 2025 thriller, THE FAMILY INSIDE, immediately caught my attention because of the synopsis and the intriguing cover. I knew that this book was one I needed to prioritize because it sounded so juicy and similar to Lisa Jewell's A Family Upstairs (my favorite of her novels). Three years after her husband’s unsolved murder, Iris Blodgett is drowning in grief, debt, and the challenge of providing for her rebellious daughter, Ellory, after losing her job. When her new boyfriend, architect Hugh Smoll, offers a chance to move into his family’s eerie, centuries-old mansion during renovations, Iris discovers the house hides sinister secrets—and that her arrival was no coincidence.
This book wasn't similar to Lisa Jewell's A Family Upstairs, but it definitely had the creepy family mystery alive throughout the story. I felt that this book was more of a family drama, rather than a mystery/thriller, but it still was an enjoyable time regardless. The pacing of this story is rather slow and I caught myself wanted to skim ahead, so I had to catch myself a few times. That being said, the final twist(S!!) in this story completely through me for a loop, which put a nice little bow on my reading experience with this book. Fans of Georgina Cross and Seraphina Nova Glass will enjoy THE FAMILY INSIDE.
October 4, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. Thank you HTP for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
This book blew my socks off. Absolutely loved it. Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFy6DDu8/
This book blew my socks off. Absolutely loved it. Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFy6DDu8/
March 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Family Inside.
Despite the fact the narrative is not original, I was interested to see where the author would take it.
Nowheresville, because this was chockfull of your go-to stereotypical cliches:
1. Hugh Smoll is smokin' hot! Only in books are the men and women almost always incredibly, astoundingly attractive.
2. Iris is a single parent, frumpy, destitute and desperate.
3. Iris is in dire straits so it's not a coincidence nor is it moving too fast that he asks Iris to move into his family home. Not creepy or 'great timing' at all.
4. Iris is constantly gaslit and categorized as 'crazy' or 'insane'
5. The author employs a literary device I'm a massive critic of - purposely including flashbacks without stating the timeline so as to 'shock' the readers.
This is not a twist; this is a trick used to confuse the reader so when the twist is revealed it's a surprise.
6. Coincidences are up the wazoo in this plot; how each person is connected to each other and all the secrets they're hiding.
7. I didn't mind the twist but it was TOO difficult to suspend disbelief for.
8. Not to mention, okay, I'm mentioning it, I didn't believe for one second Iris was smart or savvy enough to engineer her revenge plot.
Not once did she come across as clever, wily, or compelling since she spent most of the narrative having flashbacks, whining, and fretting.
The writing was repetitive and lacked urgency and suspense.
I didn't like anyone, even Ellory was a pain but she's 18 so she gets a pass.
Despite the fact the narrative is not original, I was interested to see where the author would take it.
Nowheresville, because this was chockfull of your go-to stereotypical cliches:
1. Hugh Smoll is smokin' hot! Only in books are the men and women almost always incredibly, astoundingly attractive.
2. Iris is a single parent, frumpy, destitute and desperate.
3. Iris is in dire straits so it's not a coincidence nor is it moving too fast that he asks Iris to move into his family home. Not creepy or 'great timing' at all.
4. Iris is constantly gaslit and categorized as 'crazy' or 'insane'
5. The author employs a literary device I'm a massive critic of - purposely including flashbacks without stating the timeline so as to 'shock' the readers.
This is not a twist; this is a trick used to confuse the reader so when the twist is revealed it's a surprise.
6. Coincidences are up the wazoo in this plot; how each person is connected to each other and all the secrets they're hiding.
7. I didn't mind the twist but it was TOO difficult to suspend disbelief for.
8. Not to mention, okay, I'm mentioning it, I didn't believe for one second Iris was smart or savvy enough to engineer her revenge plot.
Not once did she come across as clever, wily, or compelling since she spent most of the narrative having flashbacks, whining, and fretting.
The writing was repetitive and lacked urgency and suspense.
I didn't like anyone, even Ellory was a pain but she's 18 so she gets a pass.
January 28, 2025
I have a feeling that 2025 is gonna be all about the WTF thrillers! So far, each and every one I’ve picked up has kept me on the edge of my seat with the suspense and unpredictability, and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 brought all this and more.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
As soon as I started listening to the audiobook for 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, I found myself immediately addicted to this absolutely twisted thriller. It’s full of mystery, dark secrets (that you are constantly trying to figure out while reading), suspense and a creepiness that just comes off the pages and makes you shiver.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Creepiness
Family Drama
Falling apart castle
Dual POV
Absolutely twisted family
Bit far fetched but in an entertaining way
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Emily Lawrence and Ashley Klanac brought all the heart pounding energy into their narration and made this story even more unhinged and intense.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Fast
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
If you are looking for a creepy and entertaining thriller, then this book is for you!
Thank you Mira for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
As soon as I started listening to the audiobook for 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, I found myself immediately addicted to this absolutely twisted thriller. It’s full of mystery, dark secrets (that you are constantly trying to figure out while reading), suspense and a creepiness that just comes off the pages and makes you shiver.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Creepiness
Family Drama
Falling apart castle
Dual POV
Absolutely twisted family
Bit far fetched but in an entertaining way
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Emily Lawrence and Ashley Klanac brought all the heart pounding energy into their narration and made this story even more unhinged and intense.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Fast
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
If you are looking for a creepy and entertaining thriller, then this book is for you!
Thank you Mira for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 23, 2025
This is a Domestic Thriller/Psychological Thriller. WOW...this book is creepy and that twist I really did not see it coming. There was so much craziness and drama packed into this book. The end wrapped everything up, and once the big twist was revealed everything made sense. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
January 7, 2025
I hate to be overly negative, but there were so many things I disliked about this book. It was poorly written, full of awkward phrases like, “She scraped her gaze over me,” and “He pinched the door open.”
Despite the writing, I was somewhat invested for the first half of the story, but the plot grew increasingly ridiculous with each page. The ending was so full of eye roll moments that I couldn’t even tell you which was the most ludicrous.
Two stars feels generous for this one.
Despite the writing, I was somewhat invested for the first half of the story, but the plot grew increasingly ridiculous with each page. The ending was so full of eye roll moments that I couldn’t even tell you which was the most ludicrous.
Two stars feels generous for this one.
January 31, 2025
How did Iris get herself into this situation?
No job, no home - she had to move in with Hugh.
What a strange house and family Iris finds at Ravencliff.
She didn't have a recourse, but the house Hugh moved her and her daughter Ellory into was in disrepair and had many family members - not just Hugh's mother.
Odd things start happening, and then Hugh’s sister and Ellory disappear.
Are they together? Did Hugh's family orchestrate this?
What will happen next to add to what appears to be a bad move on Iris's part.
Just who is this family?
Lots of creepy things happening along with odd, mean, violent characters with two storylines going - for readers who like twists and unexpected things.
And…what an ending….a bit bizarre, but all wrapped up. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
No job, no home - she had to move in with Hugh.
What a strange house and family Iris finds at Ravencliff.
She didn't have a recourse, but the house Hugh moved her and her daughter Ellory into was in disrepair and had many family members - not just Hugh's mother.
Odd things start happening, and then Hugh’s sister and Ellory disappear.
Are they together? Did Hugh's family orchestrate this?
What will happen next to add to what appears to be a bad move on Iris's part.
Just who is this family?
Lots of creepy things happening along with odd, mean, violent characters with two storylines going - for readers who like twists and unexpected things.
And…what an ending….a bit bizarre, but all wrapped up. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 5, 2024
Nothing is as it seems in Katie Garner’s latest, THE FAMILY INSIDE, a psychological suspense with a dash of gothic horror. Garner gives us the goods: a claustrophobic old mansion filled with secret rooms, a hodgepodge family of eccentric, somewhat dodgy characters, and a dark and moody plot packed with surprises. A bingeable, five-star read.
January 23, 2025
The Family Inside was a slow burn for me. It took at least until I got to 60% on my kindle before I started to get into it. With that being said, it did pick up speed and it did have some creepy vibes to it but I found myself skimming so I could get through faster and I hate doing that. The ending was jaw dropping that’s for sure. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release.
December 11, 2025
This book was DNF. It started out okay, but became more silly and outlandish with every chapter. Unlikable characters that were more like caricatures than real people. The protagonist was just an absolute fool. Ridiculous dialogue. Many grammatical mistakes. 4 and 5 stars? Seriously? Did we read the same book? Downright AWFUL
March 8, 2025
“The Family Inside”, by Katie Garner
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have read too many stories like this one, with the same types of (unlikeable) characters and each with so many secrets.
The narrative was a bit repetitive and the dialogues were weak, in my opinion. It’s funny how some authors are great at describing things but not so much on dialogues (this was my first book by this author, so I do not know if that is a common).
The main character was shown as being dumb and needy, but turned out to be unreliable. She is also totally broke but hires a PI that was totally useless, but hey!, there is a twist.
I have mentioned on other reviews that I do not like coincidental circumstances, especially those that makes the world feel too small. It’s an easy way for finding a solution. But was it all a coincidence? Well, the development of the plot became absurd, so you must suspend disbelief.
The timeline structure alternates between “number of days before” and ,“number of hours left”, to finish with “number of days after”. There is a twist about this structure that really surprised me, so kudos to the author.
My main problem with this book is that it failed to make me feel entertained during 65% of the story.
I think the author tried too hard. However, I did read the whole book for FOMO, as my fellow readers loved this book, so don’t mind me.
Paperback (Mira Books): 384 pages (including 18 blank pages), 46 chapters
e-book (Kobo): 384 pages (default), 99k words
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have read too many stories like this one, with the same types of (unlikeable) characters and each with so many secrets.
The narrative was a bit repetitive and the dialogues were weak, in my opinion. It’s funny how some authors are great at describing things but not so much on dialogues (this was my first book by this author, so I do not know if that is a common).
The main character was shown as being dumb and needy, but turned out to be unreliable. She is also totally broke but hires a PI that was totally useless, but hey!, there is a twist.
I have mentioned on other reviews that I do not like coincidental circumstances, especially those that makes the world feel too small. It’s an easy way for finding a solution. But was it all a coincidence? Well, the development of the plot became absurd, so you must suspend disbelief.
The timeline structure alternates between “number of days before” and ,“number of hours left”, to finish with “number of days after”. There is a twist about this structure that really surprised me, so kudos to the author.
My main problem with this book is that it failed to make me feel entertained during 65% of the story.
I think the author tried too hard. However, I did read the whole book for FOMO, as my fellow readers loved this book, so don’t mind me.
Paperback (Mira Books): 384 pages (including 18 blank pages), 46 chapters
e-book (Kobo): 384 pages (default), 99k words
February 28, 2025
What a twist! This book had so many layers that weave together to make an unforgettable story. The complications of each tragedy move to create a seamless dance that is impossible to predict. Even the ending doesn't let up, giving readers even more deception to traverse. This book was a master class in writing, thank you so much Katie Garner! The audio was also flawless, fantastic narration to set the scene.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Katie Garner, and Harlequin Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Katie Garner, and Harlequin Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.
January 19, 2025
Iris Blodgett, having only dated Hugh Smoll for a couple of months, accepts his offer to move into his mother’s old mansion when she loses her job and home. Hugh, an architect, is renovating the mansion and currently resides there. Despite knowing it will upset her 18-year-old daughter Ellory, Iris accepts.
Iris knew they’d need to meet Hugh’s mother, but they weren’t prepared when she discovers his siblings also live there. Iris begins to feel out of place almost immediately. This is where the twists in this captivating story begin.
The invitation to Iris had an underlying purpose. As Iris and Ellory face what awaits them, the story reveals its intrigue. The way the author turns this into a dual timeline story, all while connecting the past with the present, makes this riveting story impossible to put down.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Iris knew they’d need to meet Hugh’s mother, but they weren’t prepared when she discovers his siblings also live there. Iris begins to feel out of place almost immediately. This is where the twists in this captivating story begin.
The invitation to Iris had an underlying purpose. As Iris and Ellory face what awaits them, the story reveals its intrigue. The way the author turns this into a dual timeline story, all while connecting the past with the present, makes this riveting story impossible to put down.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 16, 2025
This book was an absolute whirlwind and totally bingeable.
Iris is down on her luck, a widowed mom of an 18 year old, who just lost her job and also is being evicted from her house. So when her new wealthy boyfriend invites her to come live in his big family home where he moved back in to help out with repairs for his elderly mother, how could she say no?
I really enjoyed this story! It has a bit of a slower start - compared to the last 25% of the book that had my head spinning. A must read for thriller fans!
4⭐️
Thanks to MIRA / HTP books for my ARC! Pub date 01.28.25
Iris is down on her luck, a widowed mom of an 18 year old, who just lost her job and also is being evicted from her house. So when her new wealthy boyfriend invites her to come live in his big family home where he moved back in to help out with repairs for his elderly mother, how could she say no?
I really enjoyed this story! It has a bit of a slower start - compared to the last 25% of the book that had my head spinning. A must read for thriller fans!
4⭐️
Thanks to MIRA / HTP books for my ARC! Pub date 01.28.25
January 29, 2025
"It takes a special family to turn a home into a nightmare"
I've read countless books about dysfunctional families, but the Smoll family is truly in a league of its own! It's fascinating and unsettling how the author brings these deeply disturbed family members and their crazy antics to life.
Set against the backdrop of a haunting, centuries-old mansion undergoing renovations, "The Family Inside" paints such a vivid picture that the house feels like it has a personality of its own, adding a spooky vibe to the story.
Iris is trying to find a place to live with her daughter, Ellory, but money is tight. Thankfully, her new wealthy boyfriend, Hugh, has a plan: they can stay with him at his mother's house while he works on the mansion. Sure, his mom and other family members will be around, but the house is huge, so it will be fine. As Iris learns more about the Smoll family's eccentricities, she can't help but question how someone as seemingly normal as Hugh came from such an unusual background.
The characters are well-developed, and they kept me wanting to know more! Even though the story isn't always fast-paced, I eagerly anticipated the little secrets the author revealed about this bizarre family. The alternating timeline between the present and flashbacks adds to the intrigue and keeps things interesting.
Thanks to #TheHive, I enjoyed an audiobook version! Listening to the audiobook while following along in the ebook enhanced my experience. The two narrators did an amazing job of bringing the creepy atmosphere of the old mansion to life. I can't recommend it enough!
The book is bursting with unexpected twists and jaw-dropping moments that come one after another right up to the final page. I adore endings that make you think—the ones that challenge your imagination and remind you it's just fiction! These endings certainly spark mixed reviews but leave a lasting impression! 🤣🤦♀️
Thank you to Katie Garner, Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and The Hive for providing an ALC and ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#TheFamilyInside #KatieGarner #HarlequinAudio #HTPBooks #TheHive #NetGalley #EmilyLawrence #AshleyKlanac
I've read countless books about dysfunctional families, but the Smoll family is truly in a league of its own! It's fascinating and unsettling how the author brings these deeply disturbed family members and their crazy antics to life.
Set against the backdrop of a haunting, centuries-old mansion undergoing renovations, "The Family Inside" paints such a vivid picture that the house feels like it has a personality of its own, adding a spooky vibe to the story.
Iris is trying to find a place to live with her daughter, Ellory, but money is tight. Thankfully, her new wealthy boyfriend, Hugh, has a plan: they can stay with him at his mother's house while he works on the mansion. Sure, his mom and other family members will be around, but the house is huge, so it will be fine. As Iris learns more about the Smoll family's eccentricities, she can't help but question how someone as seemingly normal as Hugh came from such an unusual background.
The characters are well-developed, and they kept me wanting to know more! Even though the story isn't always fast-paced, I eagerly anticipated the little secrets the author revealed about this bizarre family. The alternating timeline between the present and flashbacks adds to the intrigue and keeps things interesting.
Thanks to #TheHive, I enjoyed an audiobook version! Listening to the audiobook while following along in the ebook enhanced my experience. The two narrators did an amazing job of bringing the creepy atmosphere of the old mansion to life. I can't recommend it enough!
The book is bursting with unexpected twists and jaw-dropping moments that come one after another right up to the final page. I adore endings that make you think—the ones that challenge your imagination and remind you it's just fiction! These endings certainly spark mixed reviews but leave a lasting impression! 🤣🤦♀️
Thank you to Katie Garner, Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and The Hive for providing an ALC and ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#TheFamilyInside #KatieGarner #HarlequinAudio #HTPBooks #TheHive #NetGalley #EmilyLawrence #AshleyKlanac
February 12, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for the ACH (not really though because wow)
WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ?
This was the STUPIDEST (yes that bad) thing I have ever read. Every single character sucked, I liked no one, and kind of just wanted everyone to spontaneously combust at the end. It would have been more satisfying.
I’m about to spoil this so if you don’t want to know, look away (like I should have with this book).
Everyone in the book has killed someone, except no one has killed whoever killed the dead husband (which maybe I overreacted, Jack didn’t suck he was chill, mostly because he was already dead and couldn’t piss me off). We have a widowed mother (Iris) of an 18-year-old (Everley) who is so broke she has to move into her 2 month long situationships (Hugh) mothers (Birdie) house (honestly here we go, buckle up) where his like 75 other “siblings” who are living with their mother in her house with blood stained walls(red flag girl). They get engaged a day later (flags galore at this point) and then her adult daughter “goes missing”. Not kidding.
We have a dual timeline that abruptly runs into the current timeline and while I think it was supposed to be a shock (it was, I didn’t figure this out or see it coming) it was lost on me because of how STUPID the rest of the book was. Turns out Hugh’s mom is 1) not his birth mom and 2) is actually the mom of Everley’s biological mom, Paige. Who she took because she watched Paige be buried alive by her bf.
What are the odds? Well, Lemme tell you, high. Because Birdie went a little nutso and started picking off people from grief groups and convinced them all to seek revenge on who brought their grief upon them, and they wanted to recruit our mc into seeking revenge after whoever killed her precious Jack.
But Iris has a secret of her own. She somehow found her adopted daughter’s bio dad on a dating app and her daughter and her friend plan his murder as well. She was never missing but happily hanging out with her mom’s business partner eating pastries and staging her biologicals dad’s apartment to look like she was kidnapped.
There is honestly more but it’s so pointless to keep going. I honestly don’t even want to rate this a 1 but I will have to for Goodreads. Everywhere else this will be a half star for the sheer face that this somehow got published.
WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ?
This was the STUPIDEST (yes that bad) thing I have ever read. Every single character sucked, I liked no one, and kind of just wanted everyone to spontaneously combust at the end. It would have been more satisfying.
I’m about to spoil this so if you don’t want to know, look away (like I should have with this book).
Everyone in the book has killed someone, except no one has killed whoever killed the dead husband (which maybe I overreacted, Jack didn’t suck he was chill, mostly because he was already dead and couldn’t piss me off). We have a widowed mother (Iris) of an 18-year-old (Everley) who is so broke she has to move into her 2 month long situationships (Hugh) mothers (Birdie) house (honestly here we go, buckle up) where his like 75 other “siblings” who are living with their mother in her house with blood stained walls(red flag girl). They get engaged a day later (flags galore at this point) and then her adult daughter “goes missing”. Not kidding.
We have a dual timeline that abruptly runs into the current timeline and while I think it was supposed to be a shock (it was, I didn’t figure this out or see it coming) it was lost on me because of how STUPID the rest of the book was. Turns out Hugh’s mom is 1) not his birth mom and 2) is actually the mom of Everley’s biological mom, Paige. Who she took because she watched Paige be buried alive by her bf.
What are the odds? Well, Lemme tell you, high. Because Birdie went a little nutso and started picking off people from grief groups and convinced them all to seek revenge on who brought their grief upon them, and they wanted to recruit our mc into seeking revenge after whoever killed her precious Jack.
But Iris has a secret of her own. She somehow found her adopted daughter’s bio dad on a dating app and her daughter and her friend plan his murder as well. She was never missing but happily hanging out with her mom’s business partner eating pastries and staging her biologicals dad’s apartment to look like she was kidnapped.
There is honestly more but it’s so pointless to keep going. I honestly don’t even want to rate this a 1 but I will have to for Goodreads. Everywhere else this will be a half star for the sheer face that this somehow got published.
March 25, 2025
You know those books that make you say WTF? That was The Family Inside by Katie Garner for me in a nutshell. For the longest time I didn't even know what was going on and now that I'm done, I feel like that was the whole point. The timeline was what confused me the most, so if that happens to you, I urge you to stick with it and it will all be worth it in the end. The twists in this book shook me to my core, and the family drama and creepy house against the backdrop of Iris’ dead husband and new love interest Hugh was nonstop action and head scratches. The number of secrets in the story were enough to fill up an ocean and I LOVED IT.
The audiobook for The Family Inside was nothing but pure perfection, and you will love Emily Lawrence & Ashley Klanac’s narration. They actually sounded pretty similar, so I did have times where it was a bit hard for me to tell them apart, but this honestly heightened my experience if anything. For the longest time I didn’t even know if I would LIKE this book, but once the big twist hit, I was thinking how on earth did I miss this?! Garner is a tricky one, and I definitely need to go back and read her debut now. My advice is to go in as blindly as possible, and don’t stop!
Read this if you are looking for gothic vibes, dysfunctional families, and unreliable narrators!
Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary eBook and advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook for The Family Inside was nothing but pure perfection, and you will love Emily Lawrence & Ashley Klanac’s narration. They actually sounded pretty similar, so I did have times where it was a bit hard for me to tell them apart, but this honestly heightened my experience if anything. For the longest time I didn’t even know if I would LIKE this book, but once the big twist hit, I was thinking how on earth did I miss this?! Garner is a tricky one, and I definitely need to go back and read her debut now. My advice is to go in as blindly as possible, and don’t stop!
Read this if you are looking for gothic vibes, dysfunctional families, and unreliable narrators!
Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary eBook and advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 12, 2025
Iris Blodgett is the main character in this fascinating story and we read the whole story through her eyes. Or not? Recently widowed, with an 18-year old daughter named Ellory, she falls in love with Hugh, a wonderful man she meets one day at the coffee shop of her best friend, Sloane (her surname is never mentioned). When Iris loses her job and her home, Hugh asks her to come and live with him, his mother and some siblings in his mother's old rambling home that the whole family is currently doing up. Ellory doesn’t want to, and Iris is a bit hesitant, but they have no choice but to agree.
And there we have it: an old crumbling house and a very, very strange family living in it. Iris tries to fit in but even after Hugh asks her to marry him, after a few days, there is something wrong. Ellory is devastated after the engagement and threatens to run away, and slowly Iris feels that there are even more secrets in this family that she herself has.
In the course of a few short days we slowly learn who is who – or at least pretending to be – and there are many layers of secretiveness. Not only that, the layers shift during the story and I was kept on my toes while reading. Then there is one big shift in the story and even more secrets are unfold.
Iris finds herself not worthy of her lovely new fiancée and thinks she’s a bad mother. But somehow she reinvents herself bit by bit and she finds the strength to escape from everything.
This is the kind of book you’ll want to read more than once.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Mira for this review copy.
And there we have it: an old crumbling house and a very, very strange family living in it. Iris tries to fit in but even after Hugh asks her to marry him, after a few days, there is something wrong. Ellory is devastated after the engagement and threatens to run away, and slowly Iris feels that there are even more secrets in this family that she herself has.
In the course of a few short days we slowly learn who is who – or at least pretending to be – and there are many layers of secretiveness. Not only that, the layers shift during the story and I was kept on my toes while reading. Then there is one big shift in the story and even more secrets are unfold.
Iris finds herself not worthy of her lovely new fiancée and thinks she’s a bad mother. But somehow she reinvents herself bit by bit and she finds the strength to escape from everything.
This is the kind of book you’ll want to read more than once.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Mira for this review copy.
February 26, 2025
Oh boy.
Everything is so dramatic, and over the top, and explosive. It's a lot.
The dialogue is stunted, and oftentimes pointless (there are conversations, such as the brief calls between the PI and Iris, that were absolutely unnecessary).
Through it all, I tried finding a single likeable character and failed.
This was just not it. The last 30% of the book was a struggle to trudge through.
Everything is so dramatic, and over the top, and explosive. It's a lot.
The dialogue is stunted, and oftentimes pointless (there are conversations, such as the brief calls between the PI and Iris, that were absolutely unnecessary).
Through it all, I tried finding a single likeable character and failed.
This was just not it. The last 30% of the book was a struggle to trudge through.
January 29, 2025
Iris Blodgett, a grieving widow struggling with debt and unemployment, seeks refuge in her new boyfriend Hugh Smoll's family mansion, Ravencliff. However, as she and her daughter Ellory uncover dark family secrets, they realize they may have been invited for a sinister purpose.
What an incredible book! From start to finish, you'll find yourself captivated by the unfolding events. Around the halfway point, you'll be left questioning everything you thought you knew.
The atmosphere of the book is expertly crafted with a touch of creepiness. The old mansion, complete with eerie items, adds a fantastic layer to the story. The characters are richly developed, and the main character is truly likable. As the plot twists and turns, everything comes together around the 75% mark.
This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I can see why her previous work was such a success. The hype surrounding this book is well-deserved, as it truly delivers. If you enjoy a story with a hint of creepiness and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, this book is must-read. I was completely surprised by the ending and the revelations that came to light along the way. It's a real page-turner that's hard to put down!
Thank you, MIRA for DRC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What an incredible book! From start to finish, you'll find yourself captivated by the unfolding events. Around the halfway point, you'll be left questioning everything you thought you knew.
The atmosphere of the book is expertly crafted with a touch of creepiness. The old mansion, complete with eerie items, adds a fantastic layer to the story. The characters are richly developed, and the main character is truly likable. As the plot twists and turns, everything comes together around the 75% mark.
This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I can see why her previous work was such a success. The hype surrounding this book is well-deserved, as it truly delivers. If you enjoy a story with a hint of creepiness and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, this book is must-read. I was completely surprised by the ending and the revelations that came to light along the way. It's a real page-turner that's hard to put down!
Thank you, MIRA for DRC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 26, 2025
I have decided to DNF this book at 55%.
Though part of me wanted to stick it out to see what the twist ends up being and how the many, many storylines come together, I couldn't. Even though I do love a convoluted thriller that merges its way into making sense, this one had too many storylines that were, honestly, uninteresting with not a single likeable character that kept me tied to the story. The writing was very cheesy for me at times, the dialogue of the characters was just silly on multiple occasions, and with those two things together, it made it very hard for me as a reader to take this story seriously at all. Unfortunately, this one is not for me. I can see another thriller who may enjoy books similar to authors like McFadden get into this one, but I am not that person.
Thank you to Netgalley, Katie Garner, and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to this one in advance.
Though part of me wanted to stick it out to see what the twist ends up being and how the many, many storylines come together, I couldn't. Even though I do love a convoluted thriller that merges its way into making sense, this one had too many storylines that were, honestly, uninteresting with not a single likeable character that kept me tied to the story. The writing was very cheesy for me at times, the dialogue of the characters was just silly on multiple occasions, and with those two things together, it made it very hard for me as a reader to take this story seriously at all. Unfortunately, this one is not for me. I can see another thriller who may enjoy books similar to authors like McFadden get into this one, but I am not that person.
Thank you to Netgalley, Katie Garner, and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to this one in advance.
September 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher HTP/TheHive for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own. #HTP #HTPTheHive #Partner #HTPInfluencer #TheHiveInfluencer #HTPHive
I know this book is not being published for almost 7 months, (writing this review in June) so I was planning on reading it later this year, but I ended up taking a peek at the first chapter, and I was hooked. I finished this book in under a day. Katie Garner has the thriller formula down pat, and I hope she writes many more great books in the future. I am definitely planning on going back and reading her other novels.
This book is absolutely perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewel, Megan Miranda, Rachel Hawkins, and Sally Hepworth. It is so good, that I might just be tempted to read it at least once or twice more before January 2025.
I know this book is not being published for almost 7 months, (writing this review in June) so I was planning on reading it later this year, but I ended up taking a peek at the first chapter, and I was hooked. I finished this book in under a day. Katie Garner has the thriller formula down pat, and I hope she writes many more great books in the future. I am definitely planning on going back and reading her other novels.
This book is absolutely perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewel, Megan Miranda, Rachel Hawkins, and Sally Hepworth. It is so good, that I might just be tempted to read it at least once or twice more before January 2025.
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