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'The Family' Psychological Thriller Trilogy #1
You're Family Now
He only had to do one thing. Love her family…
Matt Walker was a chancer; he’d spent his entire profession chasing the next job. His personal life took on a similar mantra; a succession of one-night stands and brief relationships. Life was slowly drifting him by.
Until one evening, in a hotel bar, following a fortuitous meeting with the quiet and unassuming Julia. She knew of an opportunity that would be the perfect fit for Matt; one he simply couldn’t let go.
Not only did the subsequent interview provide him his with dream job; it would also be where he met the love of his life. Matt and Amelia spent each day working hand-in-hand, and every evening in premarital bliss.
Finally, Matt’s life was taking shape. Following years of turmoil and heartbreak, the future looked full of promise and hope.
And then Amelia introduced him to her family…
Will you ever look at your in-laws in the same way again?
Matt Walker was a chancer; he’d spent his entire profession chasing the next job. His personal life took on a similar mantra; a succession of one-night stands and brief relationships. Life was slowly drifting him by.
Until one evening, in a hotel bar, following a fortuitous meeting with the quiet and unassuming Julia. She knew of an opportunity that would be the perfect fit for Matt; one he simply couldn’t let go.
Not only did the subsequent interview provide him his with dream job; it would also be where he met the love of his life. Matt and Amelia spent each day working hand-in-hand, and every evening in premarital bliss.
Finally, Matt’s life was taking shape. Following years of turmoil and heartbreak, the future looked full of promise and hope.
And then Amelia introduced him to her family…
Will you ever look at your in-laws in the same way again?
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2021
3022 people are currently reading
3790 people want to read
About the author
Jack Stainton
34 books93 followersJack Stainton is a writer of everyday psychological thrillers. Stories which could happen to anybody at any time.
After thirty years working as a professional consultant, he has now put pen to paper to realise a lifetime ambition.
His debut novel, ‘A GUEST TO DIE FOR’ was released in September 2020.
The second novel, 'YOU'RE FAMILY NOW' is available now in eBook and print.
Jack loves to hear from readers and always responds. Contact him directly in any of the following ways:
Email: info@jackstainton.com
Twitter: @jack_stainton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackstaintonbooks
After thirty years working as a professional consultant, he has now put pen to paper to realise a lifetime ambition.
His debut novel, ‘A GUEST TO DIE FOR’ was released in September 2020.
The second novel, 'YOU'RE FAMILY NOW' is available now in eBook and print.
Jack loves to hear from readers and always responds. Contact him directly in any of the following ways:
Email: info@jackstainton.com
Twitter: @jack_stainton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackstaintonbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
April 6, 2022
I respect what it must take to write a book, and therefore I don’t like to give a low amount of stars. Sadly, with this book, it’s how I feel and I won’t be sorry for it.
The writing was incredibly juvenile. I felt like the adults were mentally stunted, trapped in their teenage years. Amelia, what a witch. Matt, stupid. Graham.. ugh, don’t get me started. The characters in this book acted nothing like people would act in similar circumstances.
And for the love of God, WHY when speaking to each other is it necessary to say their name OVER AND OVER.
“Matthew, could you grab me a roll of toilet paper?”
“Absolutely, Amelia.”
“Thank you so much, Matthew.”
The writing was incredibly juvenile. I felt like the adults were mentally stunted, trapped in their teenage years. Amelia, what a witch. Matt, stupid. Graham.. ugh, don’t get me started. The characters in this book acted nothing like people would act in similar circumstances.
And for the love of God, WHY when speaking to each other is it necessary to say their name OVER AND OVER.
“Matthew, could you grab me a roll of toilet paper?”
“Absolutely, Amelia.”
“Thank you so much, Matthew.”
April 4, 2022
4.5 stars
This is a good creepy suspense but doesn’t start out that way.
Mathew gets accepted for a job where he immediately falls for his co worker Amelia.
After a whirlwind romance he meets her family and decides something is definitely off about them. As in they’re crazy and scary.
Matthew has no idea what he’s gotten himself into but intends to find out.
If you love suspense read this. I read it in almost one day.
Apparently there’s another book coming out but this one is not a cliffhanger.
I’ll be reading the next one for sure
This is a good creepy suspense but doesn’t start out that way.
Mathew gets accepted for a job where he immediately falls for his co worker Amelia.
After a whirlwind romance he meets her family and decides something is definitely off about them. As in they’re crazy and scary.
Matthew has no idea what he’s gotten himself into but intends to find out.
If you love suspense read this. I read it in almost one day.
Apparently there’s another book coming out but this one is not a cliffhanger.
I’ll be reading the next one for sure
February 2, 2022
I typically try not to write very many “negative” reviews. I know a lot of hard work and pride go into each novel. However, this one just was not it for me. The beginning was very boring and took about 50 pages for me to get into. I was out at the massage scene with Katherine. I also feel that a lot of time in the book is dedicated to describing how attractive a female is. Over all poorly developed and un interesting main character. Just not my cup of tea.
February 26, 2022
Fast Paced
Loved this book - it starts as a change of life story, Matt’s life is blah, he gets chatting to a woman at a conference, offered a new job, then BOOM! On his first day, he meets his future wife. Cute, huh? Then he meets her family. They’re…odd. Very close. And with each page after that, the malevolence seeps in. Nothing is as it seems, culminating in an action packed final. The mild anxiety felt by the reader as the pages turn, wondering what a) Matt has got himself into, and b) how’s he going to get out of it adds to the whole story. I’d definitely read the author’s first book (once a few are knocked off my TBR and bedside table list), based on this one. But: what was Katrina’s back story? Would like to know more, if there’s any follow up books planned.
Loved this book - it starts as a change of life story, Matt’s life is blah, he gets chatting to a woman at a conference, offered a new job, then BOOM! On his first day, he meets his future wife. Cute, huh? Then he meets her family. They’re…odd. Very close. And with each page after that, the malevolence seeps in. Nothing is as it seems, culminating in an action packed final. The mild anxiety felt by the reader as the pages turn, wondering what a) Matt has got himself into, and b) how’s he going to get out of it adds to the whole story. I’d definitely read the author’s first book (once a few are knocked off my TBR and bedside table list), based on this one. But: what was Katrina’s back story? Would like to know more, if there’s any follow up books planned.
February 2, 2022
stupid unbelievable story
Ridiculous story kept with it as was sure it would get better -sadly no.
Don’t waste your time reading this
Ridiculous story kept with it as was sure it would get better -sadly no.
Don’t waste your time reading this
January 16, 2022
is there a sequel to this book as I would have liked to know the consequences the family faced and to know whether Katrina was drugged to become the way she was
Excellent, excellent book, but wanted it to go on and on as I would have liked to know how the family faced the consequences of what they were doing and the outcome of the characters lives. There could be a sequel to this wonderful book
Excellent, excellent book, but wanted it to go on and on as I would have liked to know how the family faced the consequences of what they were doing and the outcome of the characters lives. There could be a sequel to this wonderful book
June 18, 2022
Storyline had potential, but ruined by the dumbest characters, who go along with everything that happens around them, without question. When they do question, they naively accept the most ridiculous explanations. I don't know any normal, independent adult who would live under such circumstances, in love or not. This story makes you suspend all of your common sense & intellect in order to finish the book.
November 28, 2022
"As his adversaries move in for the kill, he spots her in the distance, deep amongst the trees. He smiles and holds out his hands. It's sheer desperation for one last chance of reprieve. But the little girl, in the oversized white dress, just stands and stares."
This one took me a little while to get into. The prologue was brilliant, starting in the middle of the action, giving you just enough information to want to read on but not enough to spoil anything. And then it slowed right down. I stopped and started this one so many times, I even read two other books in that time.
But boy am I glad I stuck with it.
Once the story really got going I was hooked. I read the rest of the book in a day. I couldn't put it down.
Definitely don't be put off by the slow start, because it is so worth it. I've just found out there is a second book, so off I go to read because I desperately need to know what happens next.
This one took me a little while to get into. The prologue was brilliant, starting in the middle of the action, giving you just enough information to want to read on but not enough to spoil anything. And then it slowed right down. I stopped and started this one so many times, I even read two other books in that time.
But boy am I glad I stuck with it.
Once the story really got going I was hooked. I read the rest of the book in a day. I couldn't put it down.
Definitely don't be put off by the slow start, because it is so worth it. I've just found out there is a second book, so off I go to read because I desperately need to know what happens next.
July 8, 2022
I've been so torn over whether this deserves a 4 or 3 stars .....
I was gripped by the family and its secrets and couldn't wait to find out the twists and turns but there weren't actually any and this was a big disappointment. If idve enjoyed the ending this would've been a good 4 🌟
I was gripped by the family and its secrets and couldn't wait to find out the twists and turns but there weren't actually any and this was a big disappointment. If idve enjoyed the ending this would've been a good 4 🌟
August 9, 2022
Audio - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
August 1, 2024
I very much enjoyed 'You're Family Now'. If anyone has had difficult in-laws, then this book is perfect for you 🤣 I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the trilogy.
Matt Walker, after one night in a hotel bar, meeting Julia, she tells him of a job opportunity. He lands his dream job, falls in love with the girl, and life is looking great. So when marrying into the family, your job is to also love the in-laws, too. But what do you do when the in-laws are not the usual kind?
Listened via Audible - narrator - Nicholas Camm.
*Psychological
*Suspense
I would definitely recommend this book. After dealing with some difficult in-laws myself, this was a breath of fresh air 🤣⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Matt Walker, after one night in a hotel bar, meeting Julia, she tells him of a job opportunity. He lands his dream job, falls in love with the girl, and life is looking great. So when marrying into the family, your job is to also love the in-laws, too. But what do you do when the in-laws are not the usual kind?
Listened via Audible - narrator - Nicholas Camm.
*Psychological
*Suspense
I would definitely recommend this book. After dealing with some difficult in-laws myself, this was a breath of fresh air 🤣⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 19, 2022
EPIC!! EPIC!! EPIC!! This book had EVERYTHING I love in a book!! It started with a romance that turned into a heavy family drama that was just AMAZING!! It even had a little bit of crazy—we’ll call him Graham—thrown in. Hell, the whole FAMILY was missing a few screws!! From the moment Matt moved into the Reid home and found it in such disrepair, with no television and no internet, I just KNEW the family was trouble. It meant they had to sit around and entertain each other every evening, thus, being in each other’s business. And since Matt worked with Amelia and Tracy, he never got a moment away from family. Eyes were on him 24/7. And if he wasn’t with them, he was being followed BY THEM. And can we talk about Amelia’s ever-changing attitude?!?? My word, I’d have BEAT that woman!! I’m just glad Matt got out of that family—I think. It was left open-ended, for our mind to wander, but the author has confirmed a sequel that is out later this year. Happy dance!! Anyway, this was Jack Stainton’s second novel, but it was SO GOOD, I’m finding his first book and devouring that next!!
January 4, 2025
I’ve posted these out of order duh all you need to know is that it’s an excellent trilogy all the way through #kindleunlimited
February 2, 2023
Ugh this one had great potential but it just didn't land. At first I enjoyed reading from a male mc, but Matt is so unlikeable, naive and just plain stupid as the story progresses and it started to really grate on me. Yes, it was written well (minus the few mistakes) and was intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages and not give up, but the whole thing was just confusing? Every time you thought you were getting some answers, it would go unanswered, and repeat. All the characters in the family were odd, and I guess that was the appeal of the book, but there was no answers by the end of the book? It ended abruptly with no closure. I know now that it's because there's a sequel but I feel like I wasted my time reading this to be honest and I'm not sure if I can be bothered to read the next one just to find out what happens in the end. Talk about a cliff hanger, but not the kind that excites you ready for the next book.
September 1, 2022
A dark psychological thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed. It kept me guessing until near the end
May 12, 2023
Unreal !
This is one of the best psychological books,I have read in sometime.
The characters are sensational & the plot thickens with each turn of the page.
Just when you are sure you know the where & whys,the landscape changes.
I really didn't want the book to end,but there are 2 more in this trilogy, so on to the next.
I haven't really explained the context of the book & am not sure,if I could.
You'll just have to read this one for yourself.
You won't be disappointed !
This is one of the best psychological books,I have read in sometime.
The characters are sensational & the plot thickens with each turn of the page.
Just when you are sure you know the where & whys,the landscape changes.
I really didn't want the book to end,but there are 2 more in this trilogy, so on to the next.
I haven't really explained the context of the book & am not sure,if I could.
You'll just have to read this one for yourself.
You won't be disappointed !
April 12, 2022
I really liked Jack's writing style and the book but until ending. The ending took one star away. Definitely will be reading all other works by Jack (now I'm reading his first book). I like his easy to read writing style (English isn't my native language) and his mix of dialogue, description and not too many characters so you can follow who is who.
July 30, 2023
This book was awesome! It kept me guessing. Twisting. Turning. So. Much. Anxious. Tension. Ugh. Loved it. The only thing I wasn’t super fond of was that the ending didn’t tie everything up as nicely as I would have liked, but I would definitely recommend this book to my friends!
June 1, 2024
4.5/5 - would probably have been a full 5 but the ending was so abrupt that I had to immediately buy the sequel to find out what happens next. Usually cliffhangers-that-lead-to-sequels turn me off completely but this story is just so dang fun!
This story is so hard to describe but I will try. A new job quickly leads to a whirlwind office romance that turns into a quick marriage that leads the couple to move into her mother’s house until they can save enough money to buy their own home. Along the way, red flags are waving as if at a bullfight but our love struck protagonist is as oblivious as my husband is when anyone is talking to him 🙄😉
The craziness begins on day one at the new mother-in-law’s house. A whole host of very peculiar people live there and are even stranger than MY in-laws! (that’s a joke - I love my husband’s family. But they are a mixed bag)
You have to just sit back and enjoy the craziness and not take it too seriously. All-in-all an incredibly entertaining, tension filled read. Am very much looking forward to reading the sequel but definitely need to cleanse my palate before I do 😂
This story is so hard to describe but I will try. A new job quickly leads to a whirlwind office romance that turns into a quick marriage that leads the couple to move into her mother’s house until they can save enough money to buy their own home. Along the way, red flags are waving as if at a bullfight but our love struck protagonist is as oblivious as my husband is when anyone is talking to him 🙄😉
The craziness begins on day one at the new mother-in-law’s house. A whole host of very peculiar people live there and are even stranger than MY in-laws! (that’s a joke - I love my husband’s family. But they are a mixed bag)
You have to just sit back and enjoy the craziness and not take it too seriously. All-in-all an incredibly entertaining, tension filled read. Am very much looking forward to reading the sequel but definitely need to cleanse my palate before I do 😂
February 19, 2024
I almost find it hard to believe that Matthew would stay in a relationship this long while seeing the craziness that’s happening with Amelia and her family. I understand that both his parents are deceased (which may play a part in not understanding what a loving family dynamic feels like), but you know early on when Matt meets Amelia’s family, that he understands that this all isn’t normal. The moment Amelia started lying and deceiving him when they were buying a house together would have been the moment I peaced out ✌🏼 Overall though a good story though - Freaked me out when Julia came back into the picture near the end of the book. Didn’t expect it!
March 23, 2024
At first I thought I would really enjoy this book. It starts out where Matt and Amelia who are coworkers hook up at work. Matt was the new guy and Amelia was there for awhile. The relationship ignites and within months they marry. To save money to buy a house, they move in with Amelia's family. That's when it started getting weird. It almost came down to why didn't this smart intelligent man move out as soon as he suspected creepy stuff going on in the household. But choosing to stay would bring consequences he wasn't prepared for.
So much happens and sometimes it was too unbelievable. I never read another book from this author and I wasn't captivated. But nonetheless, I did give it 3 stars.
So much happens and sometimes it was too unbelievable. I never read another book from this author and I wasn't captivated. But nonetheless, I did give it 3 stars.
January 21, 2025
Not my usual reading ... but ...
This story quickly reminded me why I don't typically read this genre, but it was compelling and I read the whole creepy thing.
The plot is complex, the characters are well drawn, and the writing is excellent, holding the reader's interest from start to finish.
It reminded me of "Misery," but even creepier.
This story quickly reminded me why I don't typically read this genre, but it was compelling and I read the whole creepy thing.
The plot is complex, the characters are well drawn, and the writing is excellent, holding the reader's interest from start to finish.
It reminded me of "Misery," but even creepier.
May 24, 2024
I kept waiting for it to get good, but it never really did. I figured out the one big "twist," if you can even call it that, before it happened. I was disappointed, because I feel like this book could have been really good.
June 29, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Can't wait for the follow up
August 15, 2022
Tense thriller that builds to the end
Nightmare marriage into a nightmare family that just gets worse. Read the second half of the book in one sitting, it is gripping!
Nightmare marriage into a nightmare family that just gets worse. Read the second half of the book in one sitting, it is gripping!
August 18, 2022
Patiently waiting for the sequel… I need to know what happens next!
September 22, 2022
excellent read
Couldn’t put it down read it in 3 night’s excellent thriller lots of twists can’t wait to read the next one
Couldn’t put it down read it in 3 night’s excellent thriller lots of twists can’t wait to read the next one
October 4, 2022
Wow, this book had me reading until all hours of the night, desperately trying to find out what's going to happen next! I cannot wait for part 2! Roll on Oct 14!
October 28, 2022
Loved this psychotic thriller. My pulse was pounding so many times... could NOT put it down once I started reading it. Awesome book!
December 27, 2022
Total page turner, couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the next
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews