Ready or Not? meets Knives Out in this captivating thriller about a mystery writer marrying into a wealthy family with dark secrets.

This book got me hooked from the first page! A women gets to know her new fiancés estranged family that is desperate to be close to him again, The elusive and extremely wealthy family will reveal their strange traditions and family secrets as the main character tries to keep secrets of her own hidden. The twists and turns kept coming. Just when I thought something was predictable and I had it all figured out the author would surprise me. I only wish there was a bit more resolution at the end as I was left with some questions but I would 100% recommend and will be reading more by this author.

4.5 Stars
Harriet (Harry) finds herself in a deadly cat and mouse game with her new financé’s family. A game that seems merely innocent at first, but quickly gets darker and more twisted as she gets to know Edward’s family better and better. Specifically when his father gives her a tape that appears to be a serious of confession to some very serious and deadly crimes. Then she starts participating in their family games, games that are anything but innocent and oh my…

This is a very intricate and diabolical book that has you second guessing everything you know until the very last page. This is a very gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and completely impossible to put down. It’s a quick read, partially due to the fact that you won’t be able to put it down haha. Highly recommend this thriller to anyone!

I have read a couple other books by this author and this is definitely my favorite thus far. I can’t wait to read more by her!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange to my honest review.

Do yourself a favor and read this when it’s published November 8, 2022!

‘’A rich, eccentric family. A time-honored tradition. Or a lethal game of survival? One woman finds out what it really takes to join the 1% in this riveting psychological thriller. Harriet is a novelist; Edward, her husband-to-be, is seemingly perfect. In love and freshly engaged, their bliss is interrupted by the reemergence of the Holbecks, Edward's eminent family and the embodiment of American old money. Harriet is drawn to the glamour and sophistication of the Holbecks, who seem to welcome her with open arms, but everything changes when she meets Robert, the inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.’’

I have two words about this book: PLOT TWIST

*Spoilers*

This was such a great reading! Although the book gets a bit slow at some points, I really liked it. Let’s start with Harriet being such a stranger and smart female main character, I was drawn to see what she would do next with every new situation presenting to herself in such weird ways. Also, I love that she doesn’t do the victim act, since her past it’s so sad and dark she could easily use that and become a bitter person but no, Harriet it’s all about caring and being genuinely nice hence Edward falling for her so much so fast – I confess, I always though Edward sounded too good to be true but nothing prepared me for that ending confession, oh boy!

About the Holbeck... ok, this is a family you never want to be a part of, they are weird, toxic, dark humor and filled with mind games that for a normal person, it’s just too much but guess what? Your opinion about them will change by the end of the book.

The story develops in a very cool and weird way – I guess it matches the Holbeck family and their weird, acid, dark sense of humor. Despite the story having so many characters it doesn’t get confusing at all. I do love the fact that it’s just 1 narrator, 1 timeline (with past flashbacks) and the ending it’s jaw dropping in the best way possible!

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions

I have published my review on my goodreads account and instagram account.

Wow! I could not put this book down. After reading the description, I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint.

This book had everything that makes a mystery/thriller great. The writing, the character development and secrets were woven together brilliantly.

Harry (Harriet) is a rising novelist. Her fiancé, Edward, is rich and perfect. Edward comes from the Holbeck family who are successful and come from old money. They are famous and have a lot of pull in society. Edward tries to sever ties to make his own way. But the news of his upcoming marriage brings the family back in to his life.
When Harry meets Edward's father, he hands her a cassette tape that he claims is an idea for a book that he would like to write. But as she listens to the tape, she learns it isn't an idea for a book, but a confession. This confession is the start of the game.

THE RULES
1. Listen carefully
2. Do your research
3. Trust no one
4. Run for your life

If you enjoy suspense and thrills, you must read this book!

The Family Game is a delicious twisted family thriller from Catherine Steadman. She draws the reader in with mysteries surrounding the American Royal family, The Holbeck's. Our main character is an unreliable narrator, we find out that she has plenty of secrets being kept from her new family. I felt the pacing was a bit slow at first, but it was necessary to have all of the backstory. The last 25% of the book kept me completely enthralled! I really enjoyed this read!

And all I can say is wow, wow, wow! This book is a crazy cat and mouse game that starts off with a bang and left me in the dark and second guessing until the end. The book is full of very dark secrets that kept me fully focused on finding out the ending!

I immediately liked the main character, Harriet. I felt connected to her and was rooting for her through the whole story. Plus she's very smart and clever and I kept thinking "you go girl!". The setting of this book adds to the creepy, mysterious vibe of the book. The family that Harriet is marrying into is also sufficiently creepy and mysterious, adding to the overall suspense of the book.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers. This was a nail biting adventure until the very end!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Family Game was my first novel by Catherine Steadman, and I have been sleeping on this author! The descriptions game me vibes of the horro movies Ready or Not, and in some ways that impression is accurate. Fast-paced and un-put-downable, I flew through this clever mystery and highly recommend.

I enjoyed this new thriller/mystery by Catherine Steadman. Harry is marrying into an exceptionally rich and well connected family with many secrets. But Harry has a secret of her own. I read this book very quickly because I wanted to know what happened next. I didn't guess where it was going, but I thought the ending was wrapped up a little too neatly.

I couldn’t get enough of this twisted thriller. It captured me from the first chapter. And a major twist at the end! (I wonder if I can describe it anymore by using the word “twist” 😂). This story starts with a thriving author named Harry who fell in love with a man who comes from a lot of money. After a year of being together he proposes and shortly after they find out she is pregnant. When the introduction to the family begins, that truly is when the story takes off. All I have to say is talk about one twisted family and their games.

Another great thriller by Catherine Steadman. Great character building, quick chapters, suspenseful, creepy, twisted and thrilling. A solid 5 ⭐️ read!

Loved this book!! It’s the first I’ve read by this author and now I have to read the others! It has a very Ready Or Not movie vibe to it. So if you liked the premise of that movie, you’ll love the book. I gave it 4/5 stars because the middle was just a teeny bit slow for a few chapters but then picked back up. The characters: you’ll love some and love to hate some. Overall, a quick read with short chapters. That’s always a plus!!

I received this book as an ARC from netgalley. This book is good! Captivating, it keeps you guessing until the end. 4 stars! I thought the build-up was a little slow, which caused the end where the action happened to feel a bit rushed. I wish that the main character, Harriet's, back story had been delved into quite a bit more, as I felt that I left the story with some unanswered questions about her. In my opinion, they build a lot of the story based on who Harry is and what she's done, but then that is never explicitly gone into. Overall it is a good thriller with a good twist towards the end, but still leaves you wanting in a few spots. Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for my copy! Review also posted to goodreads!

This book gave a whole new meaning to meeting the parents. Harry has been dating a rich guy and plans to build a life with him. They have been very sheltered in their relationship and she has no idea what to expect other than that they are extremely wealthy. Each family get together becomes more adventurous as boundaries are tested and loyalty is questioned. I haven't heard or seen a cassette player in quite some time yet it worked so seamlessly here as a plot device. I have read everything that this author has written and definitely feel that the talent is there and I loved the level of creativity and suspense with this one. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Wow! I loved the disappearing act by Catherine Steadman so was thrilled to receive an ARC of her latest. I could not put this down. The family is fictional - but it’s obviously based on the “gilded age” tycoon families (Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, etc) and their descendants. I had doubts mid-read but then it redeemed itself and I couldn’t stop reading until I knew what was going to happen. I could see this being a book of the month choice. It was fabulous!

Catherine Steadman's newest novel The Family Game is a five-star thriller that will have you holding your breath and biting your nails right up until the very last chapter.

Harriet is a newly successful author from England who has found the love of her life in New York City. Edward is from one of the wealthiest families in the world but he operates his own business and has separated himself from the family money and, seemingly, the drama that goes with it. Despite his warnings, Harriet finds herself becoming enmeshed in the family's disturbing rituals that mark every holiday. As these celebrations become more and more challenging and brutal, Harriet is faced with some of her own secrets as well as the well hidden truths about Edward's dysfunctional family.

Okay so I DEVOURED this thriller!

Harriet is newly betrothed to Edward, heir to an immense old-world American fortune. She’s not met his family yet, due mostly to Ed’s fears that their intensity will scare her off. The story centers around their first few interactions as an entire family, and all the weirdness that goes on as Harry is introduced to their eccentric and twisted “games.”

I stayed up late to finish this one because I was hooked! It’s well-written, solidly constructed, and told entirely from Harry’s perspective. The chapters are short and the pace relatively fast. I couldn’t put it down after the halfway mark. The only negative thing I can say is that I was able to predict the main twist from very early on in the book. This didn’t really ruin the ride for me though, so I don’t mind overly much. Highly recommend this one!

Thank you to Catherine Steadman, Ballantine, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

This is a story of a crazy, super wealthy family with extremely odd traditions and games to celebrate the holidays. The main character who marries into this family is a wonderful person to follow through the story and her development as she learns more about the family is really well done. But this book seems to go from mystery, to horror, to something in between, it seemed like the author wasn’t even sure of the direction it was going in. Definitely an intense book overall. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harriet is excited about the next chapter in her life. She is engaged to Edward and is excited about meeting his very rich family. Harriet is about to take part in something where she doesn't know who she can trust. This book captured my attention from the very first page.

Wow, this book was amazing! I am speechless. Very unique story that is twisted and keeps you guessing until the very end. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. So good! Thank you so much for my copy Netgalley!

ARC BOOK REVIEW
The Family Game
By Catherine Steadman

PUBLISHING DATE: 11/8/2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Harriet is engaged to Edward and has finally found her prince charming.  Edward is a member of a very wealthy, old money family, who is very powerful in the business world.  Since the couple has became officially engaged, it's time for Harry to be introduced to the rest of the family.  However, when meeting her future father in law, he gives her a recording that contains a very shocking confession.  Harriet then realizes that Edwards father and herself, may have more in common than she first thought, but why is he  providing her with this information?  Everything comes to the surface while participating in a family " game" on Christmas, but Is playing this game worth the risk? And why is her father in law giving her such power?

I was so excited to read this after seeing other reviews. But it seems I was unfortunatley in the minority with this one. Most people found it very fast paced, but I found it slow. I was  left with  unanswered questions. I felt like I was given unnecessary information and I  never felt " sucked in."  The last 15% was the most action packed but it was wrapped up so quickly.

I did really like the ending though. I was intially set on a 2 star review but the ending was a nice twist I didnt expect, which bumped it up to 3.  I just felt like it took a long time to get there!

(also, why are other family members, okay with dangerous family games?)

Thank you to #netgalley  and #randomhouse for this arc! I love getting to review books before they are published, even if its not something I end up loving!
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