Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I think the author tried to take on too much with this book, which caused the pacing of the book to be really inconsistent and the “twists” would just come out of no where.

The book is broken up into three “books” each “book” is about 10 chapters, not sure what the exact number is.

Anyways, in book 1 we are introduced to Janette who experiences a horrific experience leaving her pregnant with a dead body in her cellar. This was probably my favorite part of the book until Janette begins to abuse her baby. She keeps her daughter locked in one room of the house for her entire life. Book 2 covers how the child is discovered and the adoptive family the child is placed with and her journey to assimilate into the world. Boom 3 is when the child is in her late teens and who she grows up to be. This is a rough description of the plot and I actually liked how the author organized the story.

1. The start was gripping and intense. I really liked Janette’s story and her twisted way of gaining back control of her life but once we are exposed to the child abuse she inflicts on Marta, her story just drops off for me.

2. The whole story about Marta and Ellie’s adoptive father was disturbing and if that is where the author chose to take the story, I wish it was built upon more.

3. Towards the 50% I started to notice more editing errors and that would take me out of the story. However, the book was a quick and easy read.

4. I would definitely read more from the author because the start of the book just hooked me.

This was a very disturbing book. The blurb puts it right out there that a character is raped, kills her rapist, and then bears a child. But it gets worse from there! The blurb references a hidden life, but I didn't' take this literally, that the child is HIDDEN away and cut off from the world with no contact, no conversation, no love. After the child is found she is adopted and the question is can she overcome this horrible start to life. This wasn't the book I was expecting to read and it was very upsetting and not something I would have chosen to read.

Major trigger warnings for SA and child abuse! The first part of this book is quite graphic and disturbing, but it’s very important to understand the psychology of Child and how it shaped her into the person she became. I cannot imagine the horrors in the first part of the book or how someone can overcome that/how it could impact them later in life.

I found this to be a very thought provoking book. Ellie and Lorraine were both favourite characters of mine, and the ending had my jaw on the floor!

4/5 stars ⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This is quite a disturbing book. It made me feel quite uncomfortable at parts but not in a good way. It just wasn’t for me I’m afraid.

It is really hard to write a review for this book. Did I think it was perfect? No. It was a bit over the top for me. Did I find it wildly entertaining? Yes. So much so that I read it in a single sitting. I also think the author very accurately described a thirteen-year-old girl who has never seen the light of day outside of her room. She was so unknowing and naïve, Anita Waller voiced that very well.

But then Marta grows up and it turns out she is very smart, artistically talented, and extremally manipulative. I really enjoyed the beginning of the story, before Marta is born and when she is a small child. I even really liked when she got adopted and started her homeschooling, it was fascinating to read about. Where I think the story lost me is when Marta grew into a young adult/teen, the storyline really got crazy then, but for some reason, I just could not put this book down. It was just so compelling and I just couldn't wait to see what happened next. I think for the entertainment value alone this book deserves four stars. I think this would make an excellent movie too. I own Gamble by this author and I can't wait to see what she came up with in that one.

Nail biting,with a lot of suspense and a real twist at the end,loved the description of the characters and the role play and manipulation of Wendy and Lorraine with the growth of Martha's character.

WHAT A BRILLIANT READ
I really can't say enough how much I enjoyed this book it gripped me from the first page infact it's the boo,k I've enjoyed reading the most so far this year.
My first read by this author but if the other books are as good as this one what a treat I'm in for.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and Boldwood books,and Anita Waller for an early copy of the book to read.

This is the second book I've read from this author, This was a slow start,Janette a recluse scared of the outside world.who looked after dogs.one day a guy comes to her door asking about boarding his dog,he ended up attacking her in a brutal way.she kills him hidden in a cellar,shes pregnant she decides to keep the child as it's a girl kept in a locked room..without giving to much away shes gets adopted thats when I was getting into this book.i was disappointed with the ending and found parts unrealistic in parts..looking forward to reading more of her books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.

This book was enjoyable in a really really really disturbing way. You’ll need to have a shower after.

The Family at No.12 by Anita Walker

When Janette answers the door to a potential customer looking to board his dog, she never imagines he has nefarious plans.
But minutes later he’s dead and in her cellar.
Weeks later she realises she’s pregnant.
And so she becomes Mother and the baby Child, and a hidden life begins.
But all secrets come out eventually . . .
Crikey what a read. A harrowing subject matter which the author describes and writes about well , but this could be triggering for some and many might feel uncomfortable reading. Having said that it was sensitively done and I am glad I read it .
If ever this title is chosen by a book group to review I'm sure it would be a very lively debate.

Tricky one.......at the start i felt sure this was going to be something i would really enjoy. As the story continued i found it rather uncomfortable and i have to say others might find it difficult to read.
Having got past this stage i once again enjoyed what i was reading.
Intrigue and who did what right until the very end.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for my copy.
Is it a possibility that someone has evil in there DNA? Made me think after reading The Family at No.12

Anita Waller's The Family at No. 12 is one of the creepiest books I've ever read. This is not for the faint-hearted.

Synopsis:
A potential customer who wants to board his dog arrives at Janette's door, but she doesn't realize what evil he has planned for her. Later, he is dead, and hidden in her cellar. Weeks later Janette discovers she’s expecting his child. Janette gives birth alone and becomes a mother. She names the baby "Child.". As a family of two, they begin a secret life together. However ultimately all secrets come out of the closet.

This book was difficult for me to read due to the extremely sensitive subject matter. Before proceeding, please take note of the warnings. Even though I understand that situations like this may arise, it requires a very specific audience to enjoy it.

The book is well researched and written by Anita Waller, but I can't recommend it universally. As for my personal feelings, I will not deduct stars, but I will simply state my opinion. Additionally, I won't bash this book on social media, this post is only for NetGalley.

The Family at No. 12 is available on November 29th.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for your kindness.

This book starts out kind of wholesome. It is a lonely young woman watching dogs for people. I have a 100 friends like that. Then it turns.
The sociologist in me was screaming over a child being hidden way in a room. You can't just recover language and literacy after being locked up, but this is a story. Things happen in stories. The girl grows up and she gets rescued. I was so glad. It seems boring for a minute as the child settles into the world.
Then little things happen that are so terrifying. It was probably scarier for me with all my education on child development and whatnot but I think it would scare everyone.
There are quite a few parts of the book that seem boring but that is a lie. It is meant to lull you into a false sense of comfort. Nope. It is a nightmare.
I am disturbed and will not be adopting any children now. Thank you.