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The Aunt
Not yet published
Expected 11 Jun 26Don't miss Courtney Psak's next utterly thrilling read - The Aunt is available to pre-order now!
You think you know your sister? Think again...
The day that Amy gets the call, her whole world falls apart. Her younger sister Lexi has been killed in a tragic boating accident, along with her husband. Despite being estranged for the last ten years, Amy never stopped loving Lexi, and the news crushes her.
But Amy is shocked when she discovers she is set to inherit Lexi's beautiful mansion on Palm Beach, all her fortune... and her newborn daughter.
Amy is stunned - how did she not know her own sister had a baby? And when the police reveal that they are treating the accident as suspicious, Amy starts to question everything.
Did she ever really know her sister? What secrets has Lexi been hiding? Can Amy protect her baby niece, or will the truth cost her everything?
You think you know your sister? Think again...
The day that Amy gets the call, her whole world falls apart. Her younger sister Lexi has been killed in a tragic boating accident, along with her husband. Despite being estranged for the last ten years, Amy never stopped loving Lexi, and the news crushes her.
But Amy is shocked when she discovers she is set to inherit Lexi's beautiful mansion on Palm Beach, all her fortune... and her newborn daughter.
Amy is stunned - how did she not know her own sister had a baby? And when the police reveal that they are treating the accident as suspicious, Amy starts to question everything.
Did she ever really know her sister? What secrets has Lexi been hiding? Can Amy protect her baby niece, or will the truth cost her everything?
Audible Audio
Expected publication June 11, 2026
30 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Psak
4 books44 followersCourtney Psak is a New Jersey native who grew up with a passion for reading and writing.
After traveling the world, she settled into New York City where she earned her Masters in Publishing.
She is a member of the National Writers Association and the Women's Fiction Writers Association.
She currently resides in Hoboken with her husband.
She spends her weekends seeking adventure through hiking, skiing and traveling.
Sign up for my newletter here:
https://courtneypsak.substack.com/
After traveling the world, she settled into New York City where she earned her Masters in Publishing.
She is a member of the National Writers Association and the Women's Fiction Writers Association.
She currently resides in Hoboken with her husband.
She spends her weekends seeking adventure through hiking, skiing and traveling.
Sign up for my newletter here:
https://courtneypsak.substack.com/
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book.
The Aunt by Courtney Psak delivers a unique storyline. In a thriller genre where so many plots are feeling identical, finding a new concept is refreshing. The story is an interesting read, told through a dual timeline that alternates between Amy’s perspective in the present and Lexi’s point of view in the past.
While the mystery is engaging overall, the execution is a bit uneven, with transitions between scenes feeling abrupt at times. The biggest hurdle, however, is the main character of Amy. She is a frustrating protagonist to follow, getting upset over situations she entirely caused herself and wildly overreacting to things. She was a tough character to relate to or empathize with.
The plot delivers a few small twists, though there is nothing mind-blowing. The primary flaw in the mystery's construction lies in its dropped red herrings. A well-crafted thriller should neatly explain away its false leads once the actual truth comes to light, but here, several plot points are introduced as misdirections and then abandoned entirely. Despite an annoying protagonist and a few dropped narrative threads, it remains a solid read that stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique hook.
#TheAunt #NetGalley
The Aunt by Courtney Psak delivers a unique storyline. In a thriller genre where so many plots are feeling identical, finding a new concept is refreshing. The story is an interesting read, told through a dual timeline that alternates between Amy’s perspective in the present and Lexi’s point of view in the past.
While the mystery is engaging overall, the execution is a bit uneven, with transitions between scenes feeling abrupt at times. The biggest hurdle, however, is the main character of Amy. She is a frustrating protagonist to follow, getting upset over situations she entirely caused herself and wildly overreacting to things. She was a tough character to relate to or empathize with.
The plot delivers a few small twists, though there is nothing mind-blowing. The primary flaw in the mystery's construction lies in its dropped red herrings. A well-crafted thriller should neatly explain away its false leads once the actual truth comes to light, but here, several plot points are introduced as misdirections and then abandoned entirely. Despite an annoying protagonist and a few dropped narrative threads, it remains a solid read that stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique hook.
#TheAunt #NetGalley
May 2, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of The Aunt from NetGalley and Hodder Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review.
The premise immediately pulled me in. A woman inheriting her estranged sister’s estate, wealth, and a baby she didn’t even know existed, combined with a suspicious death, sets up what should be a gripping, emotional thriller.
However, the execution did not fully deliver on that potential. I found myself skimming through several sections, particularly the internal dialogue. Much of it felt drawn out without adding meaningful depth to the story or characters.
Character development was a major issue. I struggled to connect with or believe in any of them. Their decisions and reactions often felt unrealistic, which made it difficult to stay immersed. Instead of feeling tension or emotional weight, I was frequently questioning whether people would actually behave the way they did.
There were also noticeable plot gaps and inconsistencies that weakened the overall narrative. Key elements seemed underdeveloped, which took away from the suspense the story was aiming to build.
That said, the core idea is strong and has real potential. With tighter pacing, more believable character work, and better attention to plot cohesion, this could have been a much more compelling read.
I did finish the book, but it wasn’t one I particularly enjoyed or would revisit.
The premise immediately pulled me in. A woman inheriting her estranged sister’s estate, wealth, and a baby she didn’t even know existed, combined with a suspicious death, sets up what should be a gripping, emotional thriller.
However, the execution did not fully deliver on that potential. I found myself skimming through several sections, particularly the internal dialogue. Much of it felt drawn out without adding meaningful depth to the story or characters.
Character development was a major issue. I struggled to connect with or believe in any of them. Their decisions and reactions often felt unrealistic, which made it difficult to stay immersed. Instead of feeling tension or emotional weight, I was frequently questioning whether people would actually behave the way they did.
There were also noticeable plot gaps and inconsistencies that weakened the overall narrative. Key elements seemed underdeveloped, which took away from the suspense the story was aiming to build.
That said, the core idea is strong and has real potential. With tighter pacing, more believable character work, and better attention to plot cohesion, this could have been a much more compelling read.
I did finish the book, but it wasn’t one I particularly enjoyed or would revisit.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews