Stephanie cradles her coffee and gazes out to the little house at the end of her garden. The family who just moved in seem perfectly nice, if a little odd. And it’s only now that Stephanie if she can see them, they can see everything inside her house, too…
Single mother Stephanie is more than happy to welcome the Kemps to her property. Tragically, they have just lost everything in a fire. The rent money means Stephanie can keep her children in this beautiful, rambling home – so expensive to run, since the divorce – all while helping the Kemps get back on their feet.
Jason Kemp is so handy, always offering to fix things. But his wife Cecelia finds a reason to knock on Stephanie’s door every day. Their teenage daughter is sullen and rude. Then one day, Cecelia says the strangest thing…
“You know what teenagers are like. I would have sworn that she set our house on fire in a fit of rage.”
It must be a joke. Stephanie smiles weakly. The Kemps have been through so much, she tells herself.
But when she opens her eyes in the middle of the night to the sound of unfamiliar footsteps on the staircase, Stephanie realises she has made a dangerous mistake. A mistake she may not survive…
An absolutely addictive and twisty psychological thriller where nothing is as it seems! Fans of Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewell and Noelle W. Ihli will be completely hooked.
Nicole Trope writes psychological thrillers about families in crisis and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others. She has always been fascinated by the stories behind the headlines and published her first novel in 2012. In 2026 she will publish her 20th novel with Bookouture. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS, Canada and Germany. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, Polish, Hungarian and French and Japanese. She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children Current Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025 Next publication: A Perfectly Nice Family: March 6th 2026
It starts with good intentions and ends with the kind of tension that makes you wish everyone had just minded their own business.
This book really leans into that “be careful who you’re nice to” energy, and it works. The setup is simple but unsettling, new neighbors, blurred boundaries, and that slow realization that something is very off. I liked how the tension crept in quietly rather than exploding right away; it felt more like a constant low-level unease than a nonstop thrill ride. The characters are frustrating in the way real people are, making choices you want to shake them for, which somehow made it even more compelling. I’m a Nicole Trope fan and have found all her psychological thrillers engaging, and this one fit right into that pattern. Not groundbreaking, but definitely addictive and perfect for when you want a fast, twisty domestic thriller that keeps you side-eyeing everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received this ARC at noon and had it finished by 7pm. This thriller follows recently divorced Stephanie Gordon, a mother of two trying to comes to term with her ex's betrayal and his refusal to do anything to make the transition even the smallest bit more financially and emotionally easier on her or his children. To make extra money for her children, Stephanie takes the advise of her "best friend" Gail and rents out her garden mother-in-law suite to a perfectly nice family (Cecilia, Jason and their psycho, teen daughter Polly) who supposedly recently lost their home in a fire. But with friends like Gail, who needs enemies? I literally had to "breathe in for four and hold for two," because I wanted to climb through the pages and throttle Gail myself. You will also hear from pre-teen Avery, Stephanie's typical, insecure and angry girl child trying to find her place in her new normal, which now includes, a pre-occupied mother and an absent father whose misplaced priorities are with his new fling, Vanessa. Nobody here is as they portray themselves and one is just VILE. The twists and shockers in this book will have the hair on the back of your neck standing up and will have you understand why author Nicole Trope is a mistress of suspense! I plan on buying the physical copy of this book so I can have it for my collection and to re-read it at a slower pace. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for providing an honest opinion.
The beginning dragged a bit, but once the story clicked, I couldn't stop reading. The narrative took an an unexpected turn, which is always a good thing in a thriller.
My house suddenly falling apart like Stephanie's did (broken dishwasher, flooded kitchen, sewage backup, cracked pipes) is my worst nightmare, so that was scary enough on its own. Add to that the Avery (Stephanie's 12-year-old daughter) storyline, and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat.
I was worried Stephanie, the female protagonist, would turn out to be super naive and weak, but she surprised me. She caught on to what was happening quickly and wasn't afraid of confrontation. She was still borderline hysterical, but to be fair, I might be too if I had the Kemps living in my backyard.
Australian laws must differ from those of the United States. when it comes to being an accessory to a crime. No way would someone who set up and organized a crime but didn't actually commit it get off scot-free in the U.S.
Thank goodness for the epilogue, where Jason got his comeuppance; men like Jason don't deserve to live.
In a nutshell: Multiple POVs, suspenseful narrative, strong ending, and accessible writing made this a satisfying read.
4+ A thriller I hope to see translated into my native language someday—a lot of suspense, intrigue, and some unique plot twists. I even have a publisher on my mind for it.
Stephanie is a recently divorced mother of two. She is trying to make everything work. She just wants her kids to be happy growing in the only home they know. When the opportunity arises not only to get some extra money but to help people in need, she doesn't hesitate. She cleans a granny flat (I've never met this name before), and rents it out to a perfectly nice family. What could be more cliched, isn't it?
I liked the suspense, the main character being a sane person without any illusions about what's going on. I appreciated that there were no stupid arguments for her being wrong, etc. And even though I've guessed some of the plot twists, I still found others to be surprising. Yes, there were a few irritating plot holes, but if you find one without ones, please let me know.
I may even reread this book once again when it's translated into my language, and I'll check on other books by Nicole Trope.
This one's a nail-biter! From the moment the family moved in, I found myself gripped with this overwhelming feeling of tension and anxiety. And anger! I wanted to scream at Stephanie for her poor use of judgment, at her kids for being little brats, at the entitled family that moved onto her property for multiple reasons, and at Christopher for being such a touché with a "d". This story really revved up my emotions in the best possible way. I felt like I was going mad at times. The suspense was non-stop and I couldn't stop reading. There was a moment in the story where things turn dark and I think the author should definitely list the trigger warnings in the final copy. I personally didn't mind, but other readers may have a hard time with this certain part. I really enjoyed this thriller even though I was able to guess the twist. Trope does crazy well and drew me right into her psycho story. Loved it! Would definitely recommend.
Thank you to Bookouture for granting me early access to a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!
Review of ‘A Perfectly Nice Family’ by Nicole Trope, due to be published on 6 March 2026 by Bookouture.
Stephanie, mum of two and recently divorced and struggling to make ends meet, takes up her friend Gail’s suggestion to help a family a need, by renting her granny flat in the garden to them at a reduced rent.
Jason, Cecelia and Polly move in - but whilst Jason is all charm and smiles, Cecelia makes odd comments about the size of Stephanie’s house and Polly is just outright rude.
When things at the house start to go wrong, and the tenants keep turning up at the door to the house, Stephanie wonders if she has made a huge mistake letting them stay there, a thought that only intensifies when things take a dark and dramatic turn.
This was a dark, twisted psychological thriller that sows the seeds of what’s happening in the plot, only to swiftly change direction and go off in a path you don’t expect. A fast paced read that kept the tension ratchet up throughout.
A Perfectly Nice Family is the first novel I've read by the prolific Australian author Nicole Trope.
Labelled as a psychological thriller, the book jumps between narrators, with the majority of the story being told by Stephanie, a recently divorced thirty-something mother, desperately trying to make ends meet, qualify as a teacher, and navigate single parenthood whilst protecting her children from her disappointment and bitterness towards her philandering GP ex-husband. Life takes a turn for the worst when she is persuaded to rent out the granny flat to a family who have reportedly lost everything in recent horrific bush fires, a move she quickly regrets.
The twists in the tale, while I can honestly say I didn't suspect them, they won't keep me awake at night. The epilogue was a little unsatisfying regarding consequences of those we perceive to be the guilty parties, and though it is refreshing to read a book with very little bad language (one f-bomb) I was left neither shaken nor stirred. That said, Nicole seems to have great back catalogue and I will no doubt read more of her work again in the future.
Thank you Bookouture for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Perfectly Nice Family by Nicole Trope is a gripping domestic thriller that proves, once again, that the most dangerous secrets live behind the most normal-looking doors.
This was a very easy, fast read with short chapters that made it hard to put down. What starts as an ordinary family dynamic slowly unravels into something deeply unsettling. Trope builds tension layer by layer, revealing just enough to keep you hooked without giving anything away too soon.
The story is heavily psychological, and the characters feel realistic, flawed, and uncomfortably believable. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the book delivered twists I genuinely didn’t see coming, which made the reading experience even more satisfying.
If you enjoy binge-worthy domestic thrillers filled with family secrets, moral gray areas, and surprising turns, this one is absolutely worth the read.
A Perfectly Nice Family was a twisty read that drew me in immediately. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, which added depth and kept the tension high as the truth slowly came into focus.
There was a twist I definitely didn’t see coming, and it completely shifted how I viewed the story. I felt so badly for the main character and often felt gaslit right along with her, which made the emotional impact even stronger.
Overall, this was a solid, engaging read that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
Divorce is always hard. It’s even harder when you have kids to take care of and you gave up your budding career to take care of said kids so now you need to find a way back into the workforce after 15 years out of it. But when you have a granny flat, why not use it to gain a little extra income? Especially if your lawyer best friend vouches for the family. Nothing could go wrong… until it does.
This was a wild ride after a slow start. My introverted self could never have a family living in my property, but especially strangers. Stephanie puts up with way more than I would’ve. If you’re looking for a quick domestic thriller, this isn’t so bad.
Thank you to Bookouture, Nicole Trope and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I love this author and the latest book does not disappoint. This starts out as the story of a mother trying to keep her head above water since her husband left her and the kids for another woman. When her best friend suggests she could rent out her granny annex for some extra cash and that she knows a family displaced due to a fire she thinks her prayers have been answered but why do this family make her feel so on edge. As things take a dark turn is she is more danger than she realises and are this family to be trusted!
Stephanie is a divorced mother of two. She struggles for money, and takes in a family who lost their home in order to make some extra cash. They live in the flatlet at the bottom of her garden, but soon become the neighbours from hell.
This book made me feel so uncomfortable and anxious. It is told from several POV's, and the main twist is just WOW! The book is well written, but should have a TW. It is dark, tragic and suspenseful. I read it in one sitting, and couldn't bear going to sleep until I reached the end of the book. 5/5 stars from me.
Trope is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors and I am always waiting for her new one. Thank you Bookouture for having me on tour.
Stephanie is a mother of two who is trying her best to raise her children, but hr ex does not make it easy with his emotional and financial games. She ends up getting a job to earn some money to help with her children. She ends up renting a suite to help out a family who has recently lost their home. Her best friend Gail suggested this family, so you would think that would be enough of a reference, BUT NO!!! She quickly discovers not everything is what it seems. The characters are unlikeable, which adds to this wicked story.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book will have you yelling out What!! No Way!! It will keep you guessing until the very end. The twists and turns are so sharp it will give you whiplash. The writing style is enticing with perfect pacing
Mark your calendar for the expected release date of March 6 2026. You don't want to miss out on this thriller.
This is my first book I’ve read by Nicole Trope and I’m happy to say I’m a new fan! A gripping thriller that I was not able to put down. I definitely felt for Stephanie as she seemed to lose so much throughout the book while just trying to put her kids first. Without giving any spoilers, I was glad to see one of the characters redeemed at the end. By the end, that character won me over and became my favorite. I look forward to reading more from Nicole Trope
Normally, I love Nicole Trope books and the way she writes, but for some reason, this story just didn’t click for me. The writing felt stilted, and the story seemed like a mash of 3 stories just pasted together. I would’ve loved a better backstory for Stephanie and Christopher but that never came. I didn’t like this story, but it doesn’t mean I’m off this author for good! Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC :)
3 1/2 stars! This was a fun quick read full of suspense throughout the whole book. I loved the story being told from multiple perspectives. You'll wonder who you can and can't trust the whole time. Nicole Trope did a great job of wrapping up the mystery with a few good twists thrown in!
Thank you Bookouture for the ARC through NetGalley!
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I thought I knew where it was going… and I was completely wrong. I did not see the twist coming at all. Such a gripping psychological thriller with a seriously crazy storyline. The ending was a little hard to read, but it made the story hit even harder. Definitely one of those books that sticks with you after you finish.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of A Perfectly Nice Family. Who doesn't love a Nicole Trope novel? This one did Not disappoint as always. A Great plot, good characters, fast reading. I LOVED the story, many emotions. It PAYS to get involved when things don’t look right. The very last part of the epilogue was the only not realistic part but at that point who cares?
When Stephanie agrees to rent the granny flat behind her home to what seems like a perfectly nice family, she has no idea how their presence will transform her life. I found this a gripping tale of domestic suspense filled with tension and twists. I highly recommend it. I am thrilled to have found another author to read. Thank you to Bookouture for letting me read an advanced copy.
My apprehension levels were on high alert reading A Perfectly Nice Family. I'm wondering what the twist will be...and feeling so nervous and frustrated for Stephanie...but what is happening with Cecilia! This book was hard to put down, well paced and thoroughly enjoyable. This is my first time reading a Nicole Trope book and I'm lining up some more now!
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This was another great read by an amazing author. I loved everything about this book and I really like how this author doesn't use foul language on every page. Thank you for that. The storyline was really good and the title of the book was perfect. I did enjoy a twist that I did not see coming.
This was really good but 70 pages in it was going south! But I think my concentration is off ! I love thrillers especially about weird neighbours and houses but wow this just drained me a bit a bit into it.
I was happy and so lucky to get an arc of this book. I read this book in 2 days and could not put it down. The characters and I mean all of them were intriguing and and the story itself was wow. This author NEVER disappoints!! This was 10/10 there was not a lull or a dull moment Page by page.
This is an engaging read that I couldn’t put down as I needed to know what was going to happen. I found it a little slow in some parts but worth a read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read a book by her that I didn't like, and this is the same! It sounds like a good way to make money if you have a spare place to rent out. I guess not! This had a lot of surprises and things I couldn't dream of. Very exciting and interesting. Highly recommended!
I received this ARC via NetGalley this morning and couldn’t wait to get back to it after work. My favorite Nicole Trope book yet (my 4th)! Notes of gaslighting, crazy neighbors, liars and cheaters, and worse. It was a fun read, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a fast-paced psychological thriller!