Welcome to the Family

by Cathryn Grant

They invited me in. They shouldn’t have…

I knew the moment I met Daniel that I would marry him. As I meet his family for the first time, I say a silent prayer. It’s important that I make a good impression… and that they don’t discover why I’m really there.

Over a lavish family dinner, I take in their tight-lipped smiles. His mother watches my every move, his brother flirts dangerously with me and his sister maintains her thunderous expression as she carefully avoids any questions about the family. I can tell they’re all hiding something from me. And little do they know, I already know what it is.

You see, I’m not the only girl Daniel and his brother Elliott have brought back to meet their mother. Those other girls all disappeared. But I intend to make it out alive.

I’m going to uncover the secrets this perfect family home holds. And they’re going to regret ever welcoming me to the family.

Fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and Gone Girl will absolutely love this addictive page turner packed with nail-biting tension and jaw-dropping twists.

What readers are saying about Welcome to the Family:

“Wow… Plot twists completely blindsided me… Addictive… Phenomenal… On edge from the start to the finish… Jaw-dropping!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Holy heck!!! I loved, loved, loved this!… Perfection!!!… I couldn’t stop turning the pages.” Travel_thru_books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Addictive… Had me gasping… Impossible to put down… Big WTF moments that completely sealed the deal… I was left staring at my e-reader thinking, ‘Wait, WHAT just happened?… Absolutely blindsided me… My heart was racing and my brain was still trying to process the tangled web of lies.” The_blonde_chapter, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“10 stars… From the very first page, you’re hooked… I was fist bumping because YAAAAASSSSSS… This book was PHENOMENAL.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wooooooh there a minute. Let’s take a breath. Gather ourselves and then do some applauding because what brilliant kind of read was that!?… This goes to top, top, top, top to a top list of mine… I loved this book.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“You ever have that tiny voice in the back of your head whisper, “Run, girl,” when things seem a little too perfect? Yeah, that voice was SCREAMING the minute I opened this book. Cathryn Grant doesn't just invite you into this family—she locks the door behind you, hands you a glass of wine, and dares you to ask what’s really in it… It’s the kind of story where you’re gripping the pages and muttering “don’t eat that” and “girl, leave the house”… keeps the suspense simmering like a pot that’s

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

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2025

About the author

Cathryn is the author of over forty novels. She writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and the ALEXANDRA MALLORY series which features a sociopath you can’t help but love. Readers say they're “absolutely addicted” to the series.

The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.

Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.

You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Cathryn Grant does it again! I have read many of her books and enjoyed them all. This just might have become my favorite. The winery, Chateau Noir is like Hotel California. “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” Reading this twisted thriller felt like watching a horror movie, yelling at the screen saying “Don't go into the basement!” Red flags accumulate as tensions rise. “ I've observed, in my very limited experience of the world, that all of us are broken. The ones you can trust are those who learn something when life breaks them. Those who don't can't be trusted.” This family is broken, damaged, and deadly. They ask you to enjoy your wine as they plan your demise. What secrets are they hiding, and are they aware that they are not the only ones with secrets? I highly recommend this addictive, intense, shocking thriller! Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

[Stacey Reads It All · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Four enthusiastic stars!

Welcome to the Family is a domestic thriller that really leans into the idea of what happens when you marry into the wrong family. The setup was easy to follow, the pacing kept me hooked, and I thought the characters were written in a way that made me want to keep peeling back their layers. This is definitely the family from Hades—if you think your in-laws are tough, this book takes it to another level.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Lauryn Allman, Madine Pell, and Christopher Ragland did a great job with the narration. Each brought a lot of personality to the characters, and the production overall was very smooth and professional. It made the story even more addictive.

All in all, this was a fun, bingeable thriller with plenty of tension and drama. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Cathryn Grant.

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

[plantsandpageturners · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows a young woman who falls for a man from a powerful, complicated family and quickly realizes that marrying into their world comes with dark secrets and dangerous consequences. It had so many twists my head was spinning lol It was a little slow to start but once it picked up, I couldn’t stop listening.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advance listening copy. Welcome to the Family by Cathryn Grant comes out August 29th and you’ll want to add it to your TBR if you enjoy a good missing person/domestic thriller.

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high quality audio had me wondering just what i was listening to as the twists and pov kept coming thick and fast. The idea of a beautiful vineyard where you are within an elite family with no possible route out screams horror vibes as secrets get revealed you are left wondering who will next to vanish. This does not resolve everything in a pretty bow but it strives to clear up the family dynamics with the guilty party reveal being someone you least expect. The true hidden identity of the butler seemed too convienant and unneccessary. It did feel a little unfinished . I loved how the truth was dipped out about all the characters secrets , nothing and noone was as they seemed. It was a quick enjoyable engaging listen which due to the skillful writing had you hooked to find out the mystery. This is perfect for anyone who loves a family thriller , highly recommended. Thanks netglalery, publisher, author and narrator

[BookishKB]

I had to DNF this audiobook at 35%. The story just didn’t make any sense to me. The family was awful, especially Elliot and the mother. I couldn’t understand why the FMC wouldn’t just leave. This book genuinely just made me mad. No sane person would stay in that situation.

🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
📖 Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 29, 2025
📝 Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars. This book is going to be huge I just know it.

Thank you NG & Cathryn Grant
-Welcome to the Family-

“I’m Going to uncover the secrets this perfect family holds”

From the very first page, you’re hooked. The slow build up to the storyline is brilliant and it was somehow masterfully wrapped in fast paced. Hard balance to do & it was done with this book.

It’s so triggering when these people were literally trying to gaslight the main character whenever she tried to voice how she was feeling or even ask something. “You’re dramatic. I don’t like drama. You’re tired”. I wanted to scream at them for her.

I as a reader started to feel gaslit if I’m being honest lol

And when it got to part II I was fist bumping because YAAAAAAASSSSSSS. “They were going to face my wrath”

This book was PHENOMENAL. Page turner and each chapter has you wanting more.

[Justyna · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot, intriguing. The execution I did not like. Right from the first chapter, the set up, there was so much shadiness that I felt uncomfortable, and not the good intriguing kind, and was already wondering why on earth Claudia was putting herself in this situation. Then the family is just cold; also not an intriguing, what are they hiding, cold but just weird. I completely did not get why Claudia had fallen or was trying so hard for Daniel or them. They all seemed like boring people who didn't like her or want her there and there was no real explanation why at any point, or at least not one worthy of the shade and weirdness. There was absolutely no chemistry between the main character and her fiance, again the whole reason why she was there in the first place; nor did he come across as a person someone would fall in love with. Where was his personality? Forget love, I didn't even feel like he liked her. Then the thing with the brother and the flirting, totally didn't get it, what was that about even? Elliot's POV and that of the main character completely did not match up and it felt like it was just thrown in to create more unnecessary forced weirdness. I think the problem was that it felt like the author was trying to TELL us what the vibe was supposed to be, but there was nothing to show us how it all came to be or why. Because of this, the potential plot twists and revelations didn't stand out at all or shed any light on the whole weird story. When there is no connection to the main character(s), it all just falls flat.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the arc.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 35%

The dialogue in this book is unbearable. The word “drama” is used in every other sentence. The MMC is a disgusting gaslighter and I can’t with that right now.

I’ve never not finished a book because of the characters but there’s always a first.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Cathryn Grant for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC to review!
The narrators did a great job differentiating between characters however I felt that Claudias voice did not match the rest, especially her sister's. Everyone was clear and easy to understand.
I had no problem visualizing from the descriptions I was given. Character build up was good. There was some repetition with Daniel in the first half of the book but it did settle down. The plot was good and there were some good twists near the end. But that epilogue....

[Natalia Farnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ummmmm this book was crazy!!! Hehehhehehe. What a wild creepy ride. This did such a good job keeping you at the edge of your seat and trying to figure out who the heck the murder is. I always love a good multi pov story and this one does a great job doing that. Super quick read that keeps you turning pages to get some answers. I think it did a good job with some twists along the way and would totally read more from this author!

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the Family is a gripping psychological thriller with plenty of twists and an unsettling atmosphere that kept me turning the pages. This was my first book by Cathryn Grant, and I was impressed by how she built suspense and layered tension within the family dynamic. I wasn’t sure where this book was headed and I kept guessing wrong. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️ I’m a bit torn on this one. The book definitely engaged me, stirred a lot of emotion, and left an impact—but much of that emotion was frustration and even some low-key anger. Still, the fact that I was determined to see it through says something.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lauryn Allman, Madeline Pell, and Christopher Ragland. I liked having different voices for the shifting POVs and dual timelines, though I think I might have preferred an immersion read for easier reference. The book has six POVs total, though most of the story is carried by two women—one leading Part One, the other Part Two. Ragland narrates Daniel and Elliot (with only a couple of chapters each), while Janice and Abigail get just a few. It’s a lot to track, but manageable.

All three narrators spoke at such a slow pace that listening on 1x wasn’t possible. Thankfully, the consistency in pace between the three narrators meant it worked well once sped up. Personally, I struggled most with Lauryn Allman’s narration; her vocal lilt was distracting at normal speed, though speeding up to 1.5x or 2x smoothed it out. In addition Pell’s vocals sounded too mature for her main character and Ragland sounded much too young.

Content-wise, I strongly urge readers not to read the description beforehand—it spoils key twists and makes the story predictable. Both parts of the book also felt repetitive, with at least 50 pages that could have been cut. The writing leans heavily on “telling” rather than “showing,” which often made the prose feel spoon-fed and occasionally unrealistic.

That said, if you read more for vibes than for technical execution, this might work better for you. The story has the appearance of big twists that some readers may find entertaining, and the emotional weight is definitely there. For me, the predictability and lack of depth held it back—but I can still appreciate the impact it had while reading.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Bookouture Audio through NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

[Lauren Speringo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible, pointless, dragged out, boring, tedious, frustrating and just plain BIZARRE.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

“Welcome to the Family” was my first time reading anything by Cathryn Grant, and I’m so glad I discovered her. I really connected with her writing style—simple, clean, and refreshingly understated. Instead of relying on fast-paced action, she buildt suspense through quiet tension, shifting relationships, and a slow, psychological unraveling that kept me completely hooked.

“Welcome to the Family” followed Claudia as she met her fiancé, Daniel’s family, the Whitman’s, for the first time. Claudia’s initial impression was that something was off about his family but she couldn’t ascertain what it was. As she learned more about the family during their time together, she uncovered secrets that the so called perfect family held. As time moved on, more and more twists and turns were revealed.

Cathryn Grant crafted a sharply written psychological thriller that pulled me in right away. Even though it touched on familiar themes like fractured family dynamics, buried secrets, and false appearances, her storytelling still felt fresh and distinctive.

What made this story different was the way the tension built so quietly. The Whitman family didn’t rely on threats or violence. Instead, they controlled others through charm, routine, and subtle emotional pressure that was masked as affection. There was this unnerving calmness throughout the book that made the truth, when it started to come out, even more unsettling. Their behavior had an almost cult-like feel, and the way the main character slowly began to realize she was being emotionally trapped was both believable and chilling.

“Welcome to the Family” is a book I’d recommend. It’s ideal for readers who love tense, closed-in domestic thrillers with manipulative family dynamics and a danger that’s masked by politeness and charm.

I appreciated receiving an advance copy from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for my honest opinion.

[A. Raquel | 📚🎧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

The multiple POVs and different narrators threw me off for a second since I immediately thought having two different voices for the one character was part of the inevitable plot twist of the story. After finishing I realize it didn't have anything to do with it and was just happenstance.

The story was pretty obviously steering the reader in the direction of the plot twist by dropping hints and clues that wouldn't be big enough for the reader to say "Ohhh, I know exactly what happened!" but more so when it's revealed "Ah, it makes sense because thig was said by this person at this time".

Dividing the story into two different parts was clever. Based off the summary I thought the original female character was the main person we'd be following but then part two was introduced and we realize that isn't the case. I feel like Riley did not live up to her original role of infiltrating the family. She claimed to have researched and prepped for the mission she had taken but never once put forth the effort to see it through. Which also made for the plot twist at the very end to have come completely out of nowhere. She plotted to get into the family to find the secret about her sister but also had help from Daniel which was never foreshadowed at all.

There was also something wrong with all of the kids, clearly due to their father's death, that was never addressed. There was also a lot more people that had bodies. There was just a lot of different things happening and nothing to really tie everything together. The journey through the story was fun trying to figure everything out.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫."

I don't think I've ever had an internal monologue quite like the one I had while reading this book. I went from "Claudia, you in danger, girl" to "Claudia, wtf is WRONG with you?" within the span of just a few pages. Have you ever met anyone who thought all the red flags were waving hello? Then you've met Claudia.

Claudia is meeting her fiancé Daniel’s family for the first time. They own a winery and live on an estate, so she's understandably nervous. The 'welcome' she receives had my jaw dropping as her future mother-in-law is blatantly rude and the suggestive behavior of Daniel's brother is alarming. Even more so, Daniel refuses to hear a bad word about any of them, no matter how egregious their behavior. The entire first part of the book is one incident of manipulation and gaslighting after the other, and when part two begins, things abruptly shift.

It's nearly impossible to talk about the plot shift without including spoilers, but the tension and atmosphere were perfectly done as the race for answers regarding Daniel's odd family continues. Another winner from this author, who creates some of the most memorable characters in today's thrillers. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this early copy. This book will publish August 29, 2025.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Welcome to the Family from NetGalley, and I really enjoyed it. From the first page, the creepy atmosphere pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. It’s fast paced, full of tension, and the twists kept me guessing all the way through. I especially loved the toxic in law vibes they added so much to the unsettling family drama. This was my first book by Cathryn Grant, but it definitely won’t be my last.

[Jacqueline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh gosh where do I begin. I did not totally enjoy this. There were issues with the prose feeling very one note and repetitive. And while the concept was entertaining I think the execution needed several more re-works. Not a single character was likable enough that you wanted to root for them, the two main POVs needed more room to explore the world, but the author was caught up on harping the same points over and over. It was off putting tbh. On top of that Claudia’s character descriptions were inconsistent.

The whole thing feels like a poorly written reddit story.

2.25 stars

[Annie Reads The World · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

The characters in this book were super over the top and the writing style utilized a lot of telling instead of showing.

The characters made decisions that made zero sense.

I did read to the end because I wanted to find out what would happen, so that's a point in it's favor.

[DeAnn✨deannsreadingriot✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25🌟

“Consider this your sign: elope.” 💌

If you love family drama, toxic in-laws, and secrets that unravel with 👏 juicy 👏 reveals… this is your next binge. My best advice? Go in blind. In my opinion the synopsis gives too much away and half the fun here is in the reveals.

Claudia is about to marry Daniel, but as my mom used to say… you don’t just marry the guy, you marry the family. And omg this family 😳 I would have lasted maybe 10 minutes. Dysfunction junction at its finest.

The book is split into two parts with multiple POVs, but it never felt confusing, thanks in part to the audiobook’s three narrators, which made it easy to distinguish voices. I found the writing smooth, the pacing addictive, and the twists perfectly timed.

This was a last-minute request for me, chosen strictly off cover vibes (and what a win that turned out to be). I devoured this 11 hour listen in under 2 days because I had to know how it would all shake out. That ending made me grin like a 😈. I loved it.

✌️Vibe check:
💍 Toxic in-laws
📚 Multiple POVs
🎧 Addictive audiobook
😈 Twisty and fun reveals

🎧 Note: the audiobook runs a little slower than most, so I bumped the speed up more than normal. Once I did it was a smooth sailing. Keep in mind this was an ALC so it may just be my copy.

This was my first Cathryn Grant book and definitely not my last. I added half her backlist to my TBR. If you are in a slump, this one will yank you right out.

Thank you @bookoture @netgalley and Cathryn Grant for the gifted advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

It’s a yes for me! 🖤

DeAnn @deannsreadingriot

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a domestic thriller primarily focusing on family dynamics. Claudia is meeting her fiancé Daniel's family for the first time. The story is set at the families isolated home compound. Daniel's father died at this location in a way that altered and traumatized the family. The first half of the book is slow and Claudia's behavior doesn't make any sense. The family is creepy, rude and unwelcoming when she shares her experiences with her fiancé he is dismissive. None of Claudia's motivations make sense and I find her annoying.
The reveals are shocking and do move the story along. I didn't guess the ending but also wasn't shocked or thrilled by it. Although this was just okay for me, I'd definitely read another novel by this author.

Please excuse my tardy review. My mom's health declined sharply before she passed and this was unfortunately due during that difficult period. I stopped requesting new books but still fell behind in my already requested reviews.

This audiobook is narrated by Lauryn Allman, Madeline Pell, and Christopher Ragland. I deeply appreciated the multiple narrators because this story had a lot of moving pieces.

Thank you to Cathryn Grant, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome To The Family is a domestic suburban thriller with a few twists and turns.
I’m eager to read more by this author.
Claudia comes to stay with her fiancée Daniel’s family.
An exclusive clan with wealth dripping from every corner.
Claudia is not welcome and they are all rude to her but Daniel thinks she is imagining it all.
She starts asking questions but it doesn’t go well.
The mother in law from hell has arrived…..
The melodrama has just begun……
This book goes along at a good pace but when it hits part 2 it really revs up and brings the tension, drama, shocks and twists.
A dysfunctional family woven into a gripping plot makes for an intriguing read.
A book that after you finish will leave you wanting more.

[Emma🎀 · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️💫 2,5

I really struggled with Welcome to the Family. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, most of them felt flat or just plain annoying, which made it hard to stay invested. The writing style didn’t work for me either…a lot of lines and details were repeated over and over, which pulled me out of the story :((

The book is split into two parts, and I like Part Twi more. Some of the twists were pretty predictable, but I’ll give credit that a couple of them did catch me off guard.

Overall, this one just wasn’t for me. It had some potential, but the story and characters didn’t click.

❤️

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY BY CATHRYN GRANT.
Release date set for the 29th of August 2025.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I devoured this book in one sitting. Bloody heck there was red flag after red flag and I absolutely loved it.
I would say this is a MUST READ book and you'll love every second of it.
Brilliant

[Michelle Heiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 The FMC was insufferable

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 on Goodreads.

This was rough. The first 60% dragged so badly that I almost DNF’d. The next 30% finally picked up and was decent, and the last 10% was genuinely great. But there was absolutely no reason the setup needed to be that painfully long. If it had been condensed, the story would have flowed better, been more engaging, and actually held my attention.

One thing I’ll say (without spoiling): the reveal from the synopsis is very clear once it happens, and it works. I’ve seen some reviews claim otherwise, but honestly, if you didn’t catch it, that’s more of a reading comprehension issue. The real problem is that it doesn’t happen until about 60% in and by then, the pacing is exhausted and the main characters have overstayed their welcome.

If you’re into popcorn thrillers this one’s for you. You’ll be shocked at the reveal, you’ll be disgusted with this family, and you’ll be turning pages faster than you can blink by the end of the book.

[Aleks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Welcome to the Family by Cathryn Grant, due for release on August 29th - and it did not disappoint.

This slow-burning thriller is perfect for readers who enjoy a steady rise in tension, rich with atmosphere and unsettling characters. From the moment the protagonist is introduced to the family, there’s a palpable sense that something is deeply wrong - you can’t quite name it, but you feel it. Even more unsettling is the sense that some of the characters do know, and you’re left grasping for clues.

As a reader, you feel oddly disoriented and cut off from reality, even in moments where nothing dramatic is happening. It’s the kind of story that draws you into a strange psychological space - timeless, heavy, and still. Once you’re inside the family home, it’s as if time stops. The setting, the atmosphere, the interactions - they all feel slightly surreal, which only amplifies the tension. In addition to this, there’s plenty of gaslighting, subtle manipulation, self-doubt, and shifting dynamics - all adding to the book’s deeply unsettling tone.

The story explores themes of power, secrecy, and control within a family dynamic that is both close-knit and disturbingly distant. The characters, while vastly different from one another, all contribute to this eerie ecosystem. The large, elegant family home, with its carefully constructed perfection, is the perfect stage for the story’s simmering dread. At times, the household reminded me of The Addams Family - not in a comical sense, but in how the characters operate with elegance and cold detachment. Janice, in particular, stood out with her Morticia-like presence: exuding quiet power, control, and mystery.

The short, punchy chapters keep you moving forward, even while the story itself takes its time. Part One is slower-paced and occasionally weighed down by repetitive internal reflections from the main character. There are moments when her emotions and thoughts are so explicitly described that it limits the reader’s ability to sit in the discomfort and draw their own conclusions. However, the pace picks up in Part Two, once the protagonist becomes more active and the secrets begin to surface. You uncover hidden family history and secrets - and a much darker truth beneath the polished surface. The tension is no longer just atmospheric - it escalates in a tangible, gripping way. The sense of dread is no longer just a feeling; it becomes reality.

By the end, the story wraps up in a satisfying way. The plot twist isn’t jaw-dropping, but it makes perfect sense and lands with weight - grounded in the story’s character dynamics and emotional logic. Some characters get the clarity they deserve, while others are left lingering in just enough ambiguity to leave you thinking after you close the book.

Overall, Welcome to the Family is an unsettling, atmospheric thriller that plays more with feeling than action - but does so gracefully. If you enjoy creeping dread, character-driven tension, and mysteries hidden behind well-dressed façades, this one’s for you.

[Xine Segalas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a really tough time with Welcome to the Family. The story starts off painfully slow and never managed to grab my attention. The writing leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, which made the characters feel flat, exaggerated, and completely unlikable. There was no chemistry between the characters—or between the characters and the audience—which left me detached from the story.
The book uses multiple POVs, which can really add depth when done well, but here it only made the action feel repetitive. Instead of propelling the plot forward, it dragged things out in places where the story could have been tighter. Combined with uneven pacing in the audiobook narration, it was a struggle to stick with it. I made it to about 50% before setting it aside, which says a lot—I rarely quit on a book.
Overall, this was an unenjoyable listening experience. Predictable, cliché, and lacking in flow. I know I’m probably in the minority opinion compared to other reviews, but for me this one missed the mark completely.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen in exchange for my honest review.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oy... this book was hard to get through. While the premise sounded promising, the delivery was not. It is poorly written in my opinion (incredibly repetitive and it is littered with amateur-style telling instead of showing) and the plot is disjointed. The multiple POVs were done in a really odd way - some characters seem to just pop in for a random chapter in their pov, but it doesn't add much to the story. Honestly, the writing style was just plain difficult to get through.

The characters are all pretty awful, leaving no one to really connect with to keep the flow & interest necessary for this family thriller. The nuggets of backstory were incomplete, and barely tied up in the end. All the women in this novel are not only annoyingly unappealing but also quite daft. I literally said "girl you're crazy" to Claudia and "girl you're a horrible actress" to Renee numerous times. 🤣 The red flags! Just... sheesh.

Overall, this felt like an amateur thriller and left me underwhelmed. The twists were easily spotted and the writing was rough.

Thanks to the publisher, Bookouture Audio, and Netgalley for the ALC

[Lee Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the very first chapter - this was an easy, fast-paced read. Daniel brings his fiance to meet his family and as it turns out they are creepy. I am not sure how Claudia could stand being around them. From the beginning she knew they were hiding something. What is Claudia hiding? This one is full of twists, some of those I did not see coming. Cathryn's writing pulls you in and keeps you flipping pages. Read if you enjoy a fast-paced psychological thriller like those of Frieda McFadden.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Pub Date: 8/29/25