Nat Cassidy said it best in the afterword, this is Rosemary's Baby meets Salem's Lot.

Ana and Reid, post-pandemic, have been through a lot of changes. Ana has become paralyzed and bedbound, and Reid has now had to take full care of her and their baby daughter. Due to this, they have to move into affordable housing and feel lucky when they get chosen for an apartment right next to Central Park.

But the other people that live in the building are very strange. And then their daughter stars having what look like needle, or bite marks.

I loved the Jewish representation in this. Nat Cassidy is jewish, and it shows. Right now especially it feels very important to be reading books with Jewish characters.

I absolutely loved Mary, and I loved this too. I know I'm very behind with his review but that's because I was savoring this book.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me an "advanced review copy" (oops) in exchange for an honest review

I’ve been on a vampire kick for the last three months that I’ve struggled to truly satisfy, but Nesltings was the perfect mix of that classic Salem’s Lot-esque atmosphere and a fresh modern take to keep me engaged the whole time. The narrator did a brilliant job of conveying the isolation and mental descent of the characters, and the story itself really inspired dread.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Nestlings, but there’s really not much fun if you know what to expect going into a Nat Cassidy book.

You’re left to confront a lot within these pages - what it means to be a parent (especially a mother), how you’d feel when your basic safety isn’t taken into consideration, what you’re supposed to do when the one person you should be able to depend on starts to see you differently. These are very watered down questions that come up. It’s a heavy book that needs to be read at the right time.

All of these emotions are wrapped in the seemingly perfect Deptford, a luxurious apartment building with more than a few mysteries surrounding it. The horror elements are part traditional part social commentary, showcasing that it doesn’t have to be a supernatural bad guy to be blood-chilling.

This is yet again another book where you just have to read it. It’s an emotional book with timely topics that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics. Be sure to read the acknolwedgements!

Ahhhh so good. I just love the atmosphere and tension that Nat Cassidy creates. I felt like I really got to be with the characters as they navigated the crazy. Cassidy's books have a way of going off the rails while also not loosing the logic and groundedness of the novel. Loved it For my full review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUQNPqiFN2c

Reid & Ana just won a rent controlled apartment in an elite NYC building — and from the very first chapter I'm filled with impending dread, the stress from Ana ignoring her gut instincts and Reid dismissing her is giving an ulcer.

Guys, I fell in love with Net Cassidy's writing after reading Mary, and I am happy to report he wrote another banger. Even know I wanted to wring Ana and Reid's necks, Reid because he's a dick and Ana because she makes incredibly dumb decisions... But dicks and bad decisions make for a good horror setup, so buckle in because the one way or anther the affluent lifestyle always has a hefty price tag - and Reid and Ana are about to find just how costly their new digs are.

The way Cassidy develops his characters and how they interact with each other is so dimensional and natural that the entire book played out in front of me like a movie... Which was amplified by Campbell's narration, which perfectly matched the tone I'd expect from each of the characters.

Reader discovery is important to this book, so beyond what I tell you, go in blind - it's worth it - the dread, the fear, the knowing what the MC's don't know first, you'll be holding your breath at the turn of every page. So. Much. Fun.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy.

NESTLINGS review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🏢Very rarely do I go into a horror novel completely blind but I decided to with Nestlings. I knew nothing about the plot but had seen raaaaave reviews so I decided to request it on NetGalley. It was a crazy ride and unlike other horror books I’ve read!

🏢Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Ana and Reid can’t believe their good luck when they find out the Deptford has an apartment available for rent. Known as one of the most exclusive apartments in Manhattan, they jump at the chance to live there. But as soon as they move in, Ana starts to feel that something isn’t quite right about their new home. If this building really is highly sought after, why does it feel like hardly anyone lives there? And why is their newborn baby behaving so strangely??

🏢This was one of those books that gave me a sense of dread while reading it. During the first half you don’t really know what’s going on, but you can tell it’s something bad. I kept waiting for the ball to drop and find out what was really going on. I really enjoyed this one and the overall theme of it. I didn’t love some of the bug related scenes (I have a huge phobia of bugs so that’s on me) but I thought the story as a whole was so well done! I definitely need to read more books by this author! If you’re a fan of horror novels, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!

🏢Thanks @macmillan.audio for my advanced copy of this one!

such a spooky vampire tale! This was a perfect October read that sent chills running down my spine. Total win.

A Chilling Dive into Modern Horror

Nat Cassidy's novel Nestlings delves into a spine-chilling narrative that captures the essence of contemporary worries interwoven with classic horror elements. The plot revolves around Ana and Reid, a couple dealing with a traumatic birth that has left Ana paralyzed, resentful, and dealing with an abundance of challenges. It is set in the prestigious Deptford, one of Manhattan's famous buildings. Their good fortune in winning a cheap apartment lottery appears to be a bright turn of events, but it swiftly turns into a frightening tale of strange occurrences and terrors.

Cassidy brilliantly blends New York City's frenetic speed with a network of frightening incidents that progressively intrude on the couple's life. The alarming dread Ana feels, disregarded by Reid as part of New York's peculiarities, develops into a terrifying story, culminating with the finding of inexplicable needle-like bite marks on their baby. The horrific tale mimics the city's relentless pulse, driving readers into a real sensation of dread.

What sets Nestlings apart is its ability to flawlessly combine classic horror clichés with modern-day fears. The author cleverly uses post-2020 issues into the plot, intensifying the terrifying experience. Cassidy's excellent storytelling brings readers to the darker parts of the human (or inhuman) psyche, exploring the depths of terror and sorrow.

Overall, Nestlings is an outstanding horror tale that exceeds expectations.

Nat killed it with this one. I was on the edge of my seat start to finish. The perfect haunted house, blood sucking horror set in NYC. Such a wonderful blend of mystery and intrigue. And after everything, I left this book in tears. I truly believe Nat Cassidy will be remembered as one of the greatest horror authors of all time.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire for providing me with an ARC.

Buddy read with Mai!

I'll be honest. We struggled with this one. I think at the time of my review, Mai is still struggling through it. Somehow, I managed to finish it only because I was eager for it to end.

I think I agree with Mai re: Tor Nightfire. I thought it was a pretty cool imprint in the beginning. My first arc from them was Cassandra Khaw's The Salt Grows Heavy, which I raved about. But after that, every arc I've gotten wasn't up to par. Everything felt so tryhard with the weird fiction and the horror.

Nestlings isn't that bad. I loved the second half of the book when the horror finally--finally--reared its ugly head and things went way off kilter.

But the first half dragged so slowly that I thought about DNF the arc. The book kept going on and on about how motherhood was horrible and stressful, and while I appreciated the reminder as to why I'm childfree, it doesn't really make for interesting reading. Mai and I kept going back and forth over how bored we were, which is pretty much the entirety of our discussion on this arc.

It does pick up after the midpoint to the point where it was a 4-star read for me. All the cosmic horror absurdity finally came through and it was such a wild ride! Fleshy walls, baby throwing, creepy humanoid hybrid monsters, etc.

But in the end, it wasn't enough to leave a somewhat positive review.

Also, I know the afterword was supposed to read as heartfelt and I think, as the reader, we're supposed to sympathize with the author, but it read as a long, rambling blog post that wasn't all that interesting.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this arc.

A fun addition to horror/thriller lovers around. Ana and Reid, a young couple with a newborn, win a housing lottery and get an apartment in one of New York City's most affluent buildings-- the Deptford. Ana, who is acclimating to life in a wheelchair after a birth complication, feels like her family doesn't belong, but Reid can't disagree more. In "Nestlings", Ana and Reid struggle to adapt to their new life with their newborn Charlie-- maybe it's the stress of the move... or maybe it's because of the mysterious inhabitants of the Deptford.

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4 out of 5 stars for me. I enjoyed the story, pace and writing style. I didn't enjoy the characters themselves, I thought there was a lot of self wallowing going on, and I was getting frustrated. The main characters themselves were unlikable so it was hard to grasp on, but I did! The story was fantastic and I found myself being pulled along.

I would recommend this to reader's who aren't scared of creepy crawlies, like the spook, and urban setting.

Absolute genius!

An engrossing never-lets-you-go horror story with an unmatched writing style. The audiobook narrator was brilliant! An excellent production all around.

At a loss for anything more to say—a reading (listening—audiobook) experience that will stick with me.

I am giving this a 3.5 0ut of 5 I am going to round up to 4 because I think the writing was good and the story will appeal to others and framing this book as a way for the author to deal with a whole heap of traumas pile on to him and his family gave me an appreciation.

This book is good. The writing is good and the story as a whole was really good. The narration was excellent but slow (1.75x speed the whole time and it didn't even sound that fast). That being said I really did not enjoy the first 3/4s of this book and if I had not been given a copy in exchange for a review I would have dnf'd at about 25%. I committed to finishing though because like I said it is well written and was engaging enough to be captivating. The first 75% of the book so little happened. It was all slow and no burn in my opinion. You would have one sentence with something happening and I would get excited thinking it was time for the plot to show up and then it would be another hour. It was so slow that I was actually shocked at the 70% mark that I had only been through 200 pages because it felt so much longer.

Then at the 75% mark or so I felt like I stepped into a whole new book and suddenly I was having a good time. The story came together, the characters stopped being boring and I loved the ending. So it left on a really good note but the journey there was painful at times. Everything It was like they say for childbirth the miracle overshadows the pain and suddenly you're ready for another one. To that end I will be reading Mary next.

Nestlings was such an enjoyable listen and I'm so glad I got to round out spooky season with it. While there are some moments that are really gross and a little gory, I'd say this book is great if you're a horror fan or just looking to dip your toes in the water. I definitely see the Rosemary's Baby influence, but Cassidy added enough unique elements to make this story his own.

New parents Ana and Reid win the NYC housing lottery and are able to move into the Deptford, an incredibly beautiful and mysterious apartment building. It doesn't take long for Ana to feel like something might be wrong with the building - and with their new baby.

This novel was a bit of a slow burn, with the real horror elements not really picking up until the end. Cassidy created such a sense of unease throughout this novel and I felt unsettled while listening. The narrators did a great job adding to the sense of dread Ana feels. Also, Ana is an audiobook narrator and some of the sounds in her neighbor's apartment are picked up on her microphone and the baby monitor, so listening to the audiobook at these parts really added another layer to the story.

I really liked that Nestlings is told from both Ana and Reid's point of views, so we get to spend a lot of time getting to know these characters. Reid was rather infuriating throughout this book, but I feel like the author may have been intentional with that, especially in regards to Ana's postpartum depression. So many people are flippant to these struggles and it made his character seem more authentic. Infuriating, but authentic. I'm glad that by the end of this novel it became more Ana's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a review copy. I can't wait to check out Mary from this author!

NESTLINGS by Nat Cassidy

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: MARY

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9781250265258

Release Date: October 31st, 2023

General Genre: Horror, Supernatural

Sub-Genre/Themes: New York City, Physically disabled MC, City Life, Apartment Complexes, New parents, Marriage, Neighbors, Racial tension, Jewish MCs, Antisemitism, Social commentary,

Writing Style: Multiple POVs, intimate, intricately plotted, suspenseful

What You Need to Know: I listened to the audiobook (NetGalley provided) and read my physical copy because I found the narrator’s voice (Cassandra Campbell) a bit annoying after a while. Specifically, sometimes her voice for Ana was light and delicate/sophisticated–almost soothing, at other times, it sounded almost “valley girl”--I tapped out during one scene where she had to repeat the word, “okay” and I just couldn’t hand with it anymore. So I don’t recommend the audiobook.

My Reading Experience: A couple, Ana and Reid win an affordable housing lottery for an apartment in an affluent apartment complex/highrise in New York City. They tour the apartment and decide to accept the offer to move in despite Ana’s misgivings about accessibility issues (she’s paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair).
The comps to Rosemary’s Baby are valid. Both stories begin with a young, newly married couple moving into a desirable apartment complex with stars in their eyes at the prospect of having such a treasured address in the City. Ana has a lot of concerns and seems to notice off-putting, curious things about their new residence, while Reid is slightly less attuned to their surroundings.

I enjoyed the growing sense of dread and the carefully orchestrated progression of their life slowly spinning out of control. The author is keen to drop the reader breadcrumbs; revealing things going on behind the scenes that readers are privy to but the main characters are not through multiple POVs. In the middle, the pacing does meander a bit.
Nestlings and Rosemary’s Baby have almost the exact same page count of 300 and yet, the latter manages to escalate the dread, suspense, and terror throughout the entire length of the book with masterful precision causing the pages to fly by, while NESTLINGS suffers a little with several breaks in tension where the reader isn’t prompted by a hook to keep going.
I absolutely love Cassidy’s storytelling voice. I think it’s accessible and engaging. He’s great at authentic dialogue and characterization. I love his sense of humor that permeates through the atmosphere, lightening things up once in a while. I appreciated Cassidy’s authorial asides, peppering the plot with social commentary through the couple’s former landlord–I loved to hate him.
Other reviewers are mentioning some key elements about the plot that I think are best to protect for the sake of reader’s discovery so I’ll just say there are some intense scenes of body horror that I think are exhilarating.

Final Recommendation: Horror fans who crave those old, Paperbacks From Hell vibes will love this story. It feels like a horror book from the ‘80s or ‘90s. The setup, the build, the scares, and the body horror are classic. The visuals are extremely cinematic and at times, felt like those old school, black & white movies that take place in one setting–in this case, a creepy old apartment complex. Really a lot of fun.

Comps: I like the author’s comps that he included in his Goodreads “review” Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin, Salem’s Lot by Stephen King, The Changeling by Victor LaValle (yes!), Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage, and The Tribe by Bari Wood

Rating: 2.8 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 2.75/5
-Cover: 4.5/5
-Story: 2/5
-Writing: 4/5
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller, Fantasy, Vampire
-Horror: .5/5
-Contemporary: 2.75/5
-Mystery: 2.5/5
-Thriller: 1/5
-Vampire: 3/5
-Fantasy: 5/5
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Eh

Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.

This book just wasn't for me. I found I had to force myself to pick this book back up. I didn't care for any of the main characters and the horror just wasn't there. I know it was suppose to be like two big books put together but I don't think it did the best job.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ //5

Nestlings
by: Nat Cassidy

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to listed to an audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This book filled my spooky season with deliciously addictive horror. Nat’s writing was perfection and he really set the bar really high. The author delivers creepy, eerie and addictive feels from start to finish. If Rosemarys Baby and Salem’s Lot had a child together—this would be it. I had the opportunity to also listen to the audiobook and that took the experience to an entirely different level.

The narration was perfect, you felt as though you could close your eyes and you were living in the story itself. Cassandra Campbell did an impeccable job at narration. I will have this book on the top of my shelf as one of my top favorites of 2023! If you get the chance to read the book, please also check out the audiobook because you will not be disappointed. As I always say, please check for TW’s before reading.

I enjoyed the audio for this so much! It was a little creepy, a little gory, and a wild ride. Was the perfect closure to spooky season!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my copy of an ARC of the audio!

Rosemary’s Baby meets Salem’s Lot

I recently read Mary: An Awakening of Terror and was impressed by the fantastic characters and unique plot, so I jumped at the chance to read Cassidy’s sophomore horror novel.

Post pandemic, Ana and Reid get their lucky break when they win an affordable housing lottery and are given the opportunity to move into The Deptford, an exclusive apartment building in NYC. They can’t believe their good luck, as the birth of their daughter Charlie left Ana paralyzed and in a wheelchair. She has been dealing with postpartum depression and struggling to learn how to care for a child without the use of her legs. They are also thrilled to be able to move out of Brooklyn and escape their anti-semitic landlord.

However, all is not what it seems at The Deptford. The residents are exhibiting odd behavior and strange events don’t appear to be Kosher. Are Reid and Ana just paranoid?

I listened to the audiobook which is read by Cassandra Campbell. She does a fantastic job, so I do recommend this format.

FOREWARNING: This book contains ALL of the triggers!

What I love about Nat Cassidy is that he is not afraid to tackle unique topics. This is one of the reasons why I loved his first book so much. A man writing about menopause and now a Jewish man taking on vampires?! However, the pace of this book is extremely slow and it doesn’t contain very memorable characters. Cassidy includes an author’s note at the end, where he explains the inspiration for the plot and describes how the process of writing it was cathartic in helping him heal from a series of traumatic events. I wish that I had read this first, as I might have been more invested in the plot. It also wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.

Overall, I’m disappointed that this book didn’t wow me like his first. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be very memorable. However, many other reviewers have loved it, so please check out their reviews as well.

2.5/5 stars rounded up

Publication date: 10/31/23

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of Nestlings in exchange for an honest review.

Nat Cassidy delivers another amazing book! I loved that this was such a slow burn but had the best payoff in the end. The narrator was great and I loved the afterword by the author. Nat has definitely become one of my auto buy authors after this one.