I haven't read anything by HelenKay Dimon before, but I was sold by the cover and synopsis for this one: "Knives Out and Ocean’s 8 meets The Nest in this hilariously twisty novel... about a woman who returns home from prison to her dysfunctional con artist family and tries to get them to go legit."

Unfortunately, I don't think Moorewood Family Rules is for me. So far it's more of a light fiction read about a woman setting boundaries with her family than anything else. I don't want to read about the family squabbling about whether or not they're still conning, I want to know what the cons are, what the characters' motivations are, who conning comes natural to and who has to work at it, etc. Are any of them coming close to getting caught, which also could force them to change their ways? If not, how do they keep getting away with things? I think there are ways for this premise to deliver a really engaging novel, but as is it's not holding my attention.

I'd recommend this one less as "Knives out and Ocean's 8 meets The Nest" and more as a cute read about a woman trying to get her family to behave better.

DNF at 15%.

Such a promising concept, and the Knives Out and Oceans 8 comparisons set my expectations high, which I think resulted in this book landing as very "meh" for me. Yes, there's a con artist revenge story, but the backstory drags. There's a couple different romantic storylines, but they completely lack chemistry. There's sort of a mystery, but with very little action. Basically, I think this book tried to be too many things and therefore didn't do any of them very well.

This family drama about con artists is a fun read. I wish there had been more action and grifting (the "Ocean's 11" and "Knives Out" comparisons do it a disservice) but I enjoyed the romantic subplot and banter a lot. It's a quick read that would be perfect for the beach.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the copy to review.

Jillian Moorewood has always been the responsible one in her family of con artists—even going to prison to protect them. After more than three years away, she’s returned to the family’s compound with an ultimatum: The scamming Moorewoods can either go straight or be cut off from the family coffers. Her crooked cousins and uncle respond with a series of escalating attacks that Jillian and her new, hunky bodyguard work together to outsmart. Oceans 8 fans will love the fun and fast pace of Moorewood Family Rules

This book was so funny! I loved the wittiness, the banter, the family drama, and the twist that happened along the way. I laughed my way through this book and enjoyed it so much!

'Moorewood Family Rules: A Novel' by HelenKay Dimon is a delightful con-artist going straight story. But, more than that it is heartwarming and a quirky glimpse in to the kind of family that puts the 'fun' in dysfuntioncal.

What an incredibly fun read! I love fun reads like this with wild plots and characters, and this one definitely takes you on a crazy ride. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down until the very end - truly addicting!

I wish we got a closer look at some of the characters’ backgrounds because I couldn’t get enough of all the family drama that led the Moorewood’s to this sticky situation. By the time I got to the end, I was hoping it would end in a cliffhanger to ensure a sequel novel.

That being said, I don’t know if I objectively would say this is a perfect book, but the vibes of this book are perfect for a summer lake read (which is exactly where I read it, lol)

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins publishing for an advanced copy of this ebook!

This was a majorly entertaining story about a con artist family. When Jillian returns from prison after being convicted of tax evasion, she is determined to find out who ratted her out and to put the family on the straight and narrow. She also finds romance in her struggle to keep her promise to her mother. It was funny, entertaining and enjoyable.

I think others will love this one but sadly it wasn't for me. I was expecting one thing and got something different. I think maybe if I didn't have the expectations I did I might have enjoyed it more. I was expecting more drama.

HelenKay Dimon's "Moorewood Family Rules" is a thrilling and captivating romantic suspense novel that combines family drama, intense chemistry, and a dash of danger. With her skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters, Dimon weaves a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The novel revolves around the Moorewood family, a wealthy and influential dynasty with dark secrets lurking beneath their polished façade. When Hannah, a talented and independent photographer, is hired to capture the family's private moments, she becomes entangled in a web of intrigue and suspense. Caught between the enigmatic brothers, Gavin and Eli, Hannah must navigate dangerous alliances and unravel the truth before it's too late. Dimon's strength lies in her ability to create complex and compelling characters. Hannah is a strong and resilient protagonist, determined to uncover the truth despite the risks involved. Gavin and Eli, with their brooding charisma and conflicting personalities, add depth and intensity to the story. The author skillfully explores their complicated relationships, secrets, and vulnerabilities, making them compelling and multi-dimensional. The suspenseful plot keeps readers guessing at every turn. Dimon expertly balances romance and intrigue, intertwining heart-pounding action scenes with sizzling chemistry and emotional depth. The pacing is brisk, with well-timed reveals and twists that propel the story forward and leave readers eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle. In addition to the gripping plot, "Moorewood Family Rules" delves into themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths one is willing to go to protect their loved ones. The dynamics within the Moorewood family are explored with nuance, revealing the complexities of their relationships and the impact of their past actions on their present lives. Dimon's writing style is polished and engaging, with descriptive prose that vividly brings the settings and characters to life. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, adding depth to the interactions between the characters and contributing to the overall suspenseful atmosphere. While the romantic suspense genre often follows certain conventions, Dimon manages to inject freshness and originality into the narrative. The complex characters and the intricate web of secrets and betrayals make "Moorewood Family Rules" a standout in the genre.

OH My My, This was such a fun read. I really needed something like this. I love the story line of the grifters and the Cons they are playing. I loved the ending and I was so happy to be able to read this early.

4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.

I loved this! The set-up was great, and I loved the main character (her extended family is mostly awful). This was a fascinating story I didn't want to put down. It took me far longer to finish this than I wanted, but it's a busy season. There's a good romance here as well as some fun, twisty reveals, and some great personal growth for the main character. A few chapters from the perspective of the extended family helped round out the story along the way. Highly recommend! (Language)

This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the flow of the story. I think this will be enjoyable for those who liked capers and zany familial dynamics

Absolutely love a disaster family story and this book was just about perfect in its deliverance. Messy, funny, surprising.

I could not finish enough of this book to be able to leave a comprehensive review, but I hope it finds its audience and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

A twisty story Of betrayal, deception, and family. Dimon made me laugh and think about family. Very fun. Well written.

Fun, fast read with a quirky cast. You will find yourself getting pulled into the Moorewood family drama and rooting for your favorite character. Absolutely perfect for a vacation read or an escape from your own reality.

I enjoyed this book a lot! I think it'll suffer a bit due to its association with franchises like Knives Out and Oceans. It promises to deliver too much, even though it is a fun book.

I was given “Moorewood Family Rules” as an ARC from #Netgalley. “Moorewood Family Rules” rules! This book was fun, hilarious, and full of scheming family members. “Moorewood Family Rules” is the epitome of a “Knives Out” crossed over with “Ocean’s 8” and I loved every second of reading it.

The characters are incredibly unique and some times incredibly frustrating. They each were real and flawed. Some were willing to change others were not, but based off the ending I could see this story continuing on to other family members.

This is definitely worth the read and I will be purchasing a copy!

Loved it! I was engaged with the story the entire time. I liked the pacing and the flow of the story and the characters were well written. I will read more from this author.