“Ana and Reid needed a lucky break.

The horrifically complicated birth of their first child has left Ana paralyzed, bitter, and struggling: with mobility, with her relationship with Reid, with resentment for her baby. That's about to change with the words any New Yorker would love to hear―affordable housing lottery.

They've won an apartment in the Deptford, one of Manhattan's most revered buildings with beautiful vistas of Central Park and stunning architecture.

Reid dismisses disturbing events and Ana’s deep unease and paranoia as the price of living in New York―people are odd―but he can't explain the needle-like bite marks on the baby.”

You ever get really scared to read an author’s second book because you are so obsessed with their debut?! That it’s not gonna live up to the first?! Well I am ecstatic to report that is not the case with @natcassidy second book Nestlings!The characters in this book are top notch. You feel for Ana and Reid and are so happy that they are moving into a new place. The neighbors are “quirky” to say the least, but you can’t help but kinda fall in love with their oddities. You know the creepiness is gonna get ramped up when nobody wants to come in the building unless they live there 👀 And you know that whatever is going on with the baby has something to do with their new digs. The atmosphere in this book is just ✨chefs kiss✨ I loved that it was set in New York and was the perfect backdrop for this story. I seriously could NOT stop listening to this one because I NEEDED to know what happened next. This book will definitely be in my top reads of the year right next to Mary

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio as well as the author for this recording. It was much appreciated.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #NatCassidy #Nestlings

Author: Nat Cassidy
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: October 31, 2023
Trigger Warnings: Postpartum depression, infertility, child loss, ableism, racism, discrimination

Excuse me while I go through an entire box of tissues. It always moves me when a novel takes on postpartum depression and new motherhood. This was a beautiful example. Not just about PPD, but also grief, infertility, child loss, and several other heavy subjects. All of this is done with the appropriate balance of horror and respect. Ana and Reid have been through a lot recently. After dealing with several infertility treatments, they finally were blessed with a little girl named Charlie. Unfortunately, due to a rare complication of childbirth, Anna is now a paraplegic. After a year of adjusting to a radically changed life, Anna and Reid are drawn in an apartment lottery. They get to move into the luxurious Deptford Apartment Building. They finally get to leave their shabby apartment and racist landlord. Maybe things are looking up! Right?
This book is a gem. It’s the first time I’ve read (or listened to) a book by this author. I can’t wait to experience his other novel, as well as any others he puts out in the future. He handled these serious themes beautifully. Cassidy has clearly done his homework. He handles the subject of postpartum depression with care and respect, but he doesn’t demean it either. PPD is very real and very horrific for many women.
The description of this book compares it to Ira Levin's "Rosemary's Baby”, and like Rosemary’s Baby, motherhood and childbirth are two of several themes running through this complicated story. Ana experiences intense postpartum depression and feelings of resentment towards her baby. Like Levin’s Rosemary Woodhouse, she sometimes feels outright fear of her child. A different reason though, that’s why Salem’s Lot is also mentioned in the description. In addition to all of that emotional distress, Ana is also dealing with her new life as a paraplegic. This adds physical hardship. Our male protagonist, Reid, is dealing with the massive struggle of being a caretaker of both a depressed, newly paralyzed wife and a newborn. A newborn is tough on her own. Reid struggles with feelings of love, resentment, and guilt, He’s enamored with his daughter and wife, but struggles with the amount of work they both involve. This brings about resentment which also adds guilt to the mix. It’s a beautiful mix of some very complicated feelings. I won’t go into too much detail about the horror as I found that letting this slow burn unfold was a great pleasure for me and I wouldn’t want to deprive other readers of that same pleasure. I’ll just say that it was horrific in both ambiguity and sincerity.
The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, is one I’ve heard before as I’m a huge audiobook fan. She did a wonderful job. She always does.
After the narration of the book, there is an afterword that’s read by the author. This was a heartfelt narrative that offered a lot more insight into this book. Please make sure to read or listen to it.

Another absolute banger by Nat Cassidy.

Superficially, Nestlings is an exquisitely well-written and entertaining horror novel. Cassidy pays homage to "The Shining," "Salem's Lot," and "Rosemary's Baby" and does them complete justice while still crafting a story that is uniquely his own.

Yes- "Nestlings" has all of the significant elements of a modern horror novel. It has a perfectly atmospheric location (easily considered a character itself), horrific visuals, suspense, creepy characters, and monstrous evil.

"Nestlings" ALSO integrates the genuine everyday horrors of ableism, racism, xenophobia, grief, and just basic survival in a world that can be absolutely brutal and indifferent.
The marriage of both notes is seamless- neither distracts from the other but rather strengthens the whole experience.

Cassidy has an undeniable talent for creating contextually layered stories that reach the depth of the human experience with incredible empathy and emotional intelligence while maintaining the integrity of entertainment value and escapism.

I absolutely love this book and this author.

The audiobook narration is brilliantly done and hits all the right notes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

BLUF: Buy this book. Not only is it one of the best horror books of the year, it's one of the best I've read over the past few years.

From the moment I laid eyes on the cover, I had a feeling that this book could be special. I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but we all do it. This one just looked super creepy. I had no idea just how creeptastic it would get.

It starts off and feels like things you've read before, NYC apartment with new parents moving in, dealing with all the 'joys' of a newborn. But from there, this book takes on a life of it's own and made my skin crawl like very few have. Nat does an amazing job setting the atmosphere of the Deptford, making this a perfect spooky season read. I don't want to get into the plot too much, because there are some wonderfully terrifying surprises along the way, best experienced on your own.

I got vibes of Rosemary's Baby (obviously), The Shining, Salem's Lot, The Troop, and perhaps a bit of the movie Aliens.

I listened to the audiobook and Cassandra Campbell did a phenomenal job. She had different voices for characters which helped bring them to life. You might recognize her narration from audiobooks like Bird Box and Where The Crawdads Sing.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Nat Cassidy has such a creative mind and spends new twists on horror concepts. I have enjoyed both his books and every time I think the story has come to an end there is a whole quarter of a book left with a whole different ending. Anna, Reed, and their baby Charlie have won an apartment lottery and have been chosen to live in a luxury apartment. Immediately Anna is hesitant and due to a recent injury during labor she realizes life in a wheel chair may not be assessable in this luxury apartment. Anna and Reed ultimately decide to give the apartment a chance, even if temporarily. Right away Charlie is showing extreme discomfort with her new living place and has been acting out with no calm. Anna also starts to find very strange things, especially her neighbor who essentially seems to be being held hostage by her BABY. How do you convince your husband who already thinks your a burden and a complainer, and maybe crazy, that your new home that he is all to happy to be in is weird and strange and possibly out to get your family?

Truly one of the best horror novels I've read in a while. The dangers of antisemitism told through a lens of Salem's Lot meets Rosemary's Baby provided an incredibly thought-provoking and haunting story and I couldn't recommend this more.

Ah, the thrill and dread of moving into a new dwelling—the pristine walls, untouched corners, and the unseen eyes of an old establishment welcoming or perhaps scrutinizing its new occupants. It's a peculiar dance between the known and the unknown, a narrative ripe for peeling layers of horror and unease. This is the uncanny realm that Nat Cassidy explores in his latest novel, "Nestlings," a narrative that elicits the eeriness residing in the heart of a seemingly welcoming new abode.

Following the unsettling yet enticing trope of a young couple venturing into a new home, "Nestlings" is a homage to the quintessential horror narrative established by Ira Levin's "Rosemary’s Baby." However, Cassidy carves a unique narrative stone from the monumental mountain of domestic horror, crafting a tale that holds its own eerie light amidst the shadowy legacy of its predecessors.

Ana and Reid, along with their baby, find themselves as the new residents of a picturesque apartment in New York City. The city, with its tall tales and taller buildings, holds within its heart the Deptford—a dwelling that promises a fresh start for our troubled protagonists. Yet, as they settle in, the apartment and its peculiar inhabitants start to unravel a narrative that holds within its folds, mysteries darker than the night sky over the city.

The audiobook rendition of "Nestlings" is a haunting melody accompanying the narrative, with a narration that resonates with the eerie essence of the tale. It brings forth the fear, the hope, and the chilling reality that Ana and Reid face, making the experience all the more immersive.

The afterword from Cassidy about his personal inspirations and struggles that come through in this novel was an extra treat at the end. I looked at the story in a whole new way after reading it. The book deals with topics of grief, post-partum depression and the struggles of the caretaking of loved ones.

The story is well written and full of twists. I felt like I couldn't get to the end fast enough. A creepy apartment building, a married couple with a new baby who win a lottery for one of the apartments that they could never afford otherwise. What could go wrong?

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This was my first Nat Cassidy book and now I’m hooked. I am still reeling after finishing - Nestlings is a fantastic work of horror.

New parents, Ana and Reid, are selected through an affordable housing lottery for the opportunity to live in the exclusive and historic Deptford building. When they decide to move in they are blissfully unaware of what awaits them and their daughter Charlie.

Ana is experiencing postpartum depression and has been left wheelchair bound after a rare injury during childbirth. Reid is working at a job he hates and trying to be supportive of Ana. They each face their demons and delve further into the Deptford’s world with its peculiar residents.

The story unfolds with an intense sense of dread and is as emotionally raw as it is frightening. There are elements of psychological suspense and supernatural terror, with clear inspiration from Rosemary’s Baby and Salem’s Lot.

Nestlings will be published on October 31st and I’m excited for horror fans to get their hands on this one!

Big thanks to Netgalley and Tor for providing a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
When New Yorkers Reid and Ana win a housing lottery for a coveted low-income apartment in the historic Deptford building, they hope their luck is changing for the better. Ana, struggling with her recent paralysis as a result of a rare birth complication, is disturbed by a sense of unease that pervades the building, which Reid dismisses. But neither can argue that something is happening to Charlie.

Horror is certainly not my genre, but I found Nestlings to be highly readable and very compelling. Ana and Reid were both deeply sympathetic and multi-dimensional characters, and I think Cassidy soundly succeeded at his stated (in the Afterword) goal of writing a fully fleshed-out, “bad” disabled character. I also didn’t realize how Jewish it would be, so yay to that! I love it when Jews in books are actually allowed to be Jewish (it helps that Cassidy is Jewish himself). Only a few things bothered me about the book, the main one being that it felt a little lost in the first half. There were a lot of threads and different imagery that, although they did come together in the end, I found it hard to sort through during the rising action. Overall, I’ll give this spine-chilling thriller 3.5 elevator gremlins out of 5.

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: ALC from Macmillan Audio

In the much anticipated (second) novel from Nat Cassidy, the horrors of New York City real estate, the first year of parenthood, and the (supernatural) converge in this chilling book. Inspired by Rosemary’s Baby and Salem's Lot, Nestlings opens with Ana and Reid as their luck finally turns around after a very hard year. They believe winning the housing lottery for a beautiful luxury apartment in a famous building will be the start of things looking up for their young family. But life at the Deptford is not as picture perfect as it would seem, and this is not just a few bumps in the night. Though Reid would rather turn a blind eye to the red flags, Ana knows there is something not right in their new home, and races against time to discover the truth behind the Deptford before its too late.

Many authors comment on the challenges of writing their second novel, especially when their first is a smashing success, so I was very intrigued to read this after finishing Cassidy’s first book last week. There are some changes in the writing style- Nestlings has dual POV between Ana and Reid, and is told in a single, linear timeline (though there were some brief flashes to other characters called “City Interludes”). This really highlights the rift between the couple as the story progresses, so I think it was a good change for this story. The setting created by Cassidy for this novel was very dark and disturbing which enhanced the unsettling plot, which revealed the secrets of the Deptford piece by twisted piece.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to horror readers, especially those who enjoy urban settings and corporeal antagonists. Nestlings has topics of postpartum psychosis, antisemitism, physical disability & ableism, and others, so be sure to review the content guide before reading.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the review copy of Nestlings, which publishes on October 31st.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of Nestlings by Nat Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. I'm always nervous to start a book by someone I've never read before. This book was a pleasure to read. It had tragedy, horror, family tension, body struggles, motherhood issues and dealing with loss. I really got hooked and could not stop listening. The characters were relatable and real, the setting was amazing and it was a new spin on an old genre. I loved this book and the afterward by the author. Thank you Nat Cassidy for sharing a piece of your life with us readers. Many of us share in tragedies and I love your message of instead of trying to move on, we learn to walk, or move with our pain and make it part of us.

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy
@CatNassidy
Pub date: October 31, 2023
Read by: Cassandra Campbell
Duration: 13H 4M
Genre: Horror

Well, well, well, Mr. Cassidy has hit my favorite author list! I loved Mary: An Awakening of Terror (you can scroll way down to late summer of 2022 to see my review). Once I saw the premise for Nestlings, I was intrigued and enthused about this compelling horror story.

Described as a mix between Rosemary’s Baby and Salem’s Lot – and fairly so, this horror story is weighty with a sinister mood right from the beginning.

Ana and Reid have been through a lot since the birth of Charlie. They’re struggling financially and Ana’s birth injury that left her in a wheelchair, depressed and despondent, has them both feeling like they could use a turn of luck. This turn comes in the form of an apartment lottery win (who knew there was such a thing?) Getting new digs in the elegant Deptford apartment seems like a dream come true but Ana can’t shake the feeling that something is off about the place. It’s eerie quietness and weirdo employees, just for starters, but then other things start to happen. Changes in both Charlie and Reid have Ana questioning her sanity. Is Ana losing her mind or is something amiss at the Deptford?

Cassidy’s writing is so fluid and his character arcs are phenomenal. I was INVESTED hard in both Ana and Reid, and found myself talking to them during the audiobook 😂 “Stop! Why are you doing that? Don’t go down that dark hallway! Do NOT go back into the building! Stay away from that crazy bish!” Of course, they didn’t listen 😒

Needless to say, my enjoyment and abject horror of this story was immense! Nat Cassidy is a true master of horror and I am excited to see what he does next!

Insidious, compelling, and a horror fans absolute pleasure to read!

🎧I listened to this and the narrator, Cassandra Campbell, is such a talent. Moving effortlessly through characters, she is a joy to listen to! Loved this story on audio!

Also, I’d highly recommend listening/reading the authors note. It’s heart-wrenching but really expresses strength, resilience and most of all, the power of love.

My thanks to @MacMillan.Audio for this gifted ALC!

💭Scariest book you’ve ever read or scariest movie you’ve ever seen that still haunts you deep into the night?

Stay bookish, my friends 🖤

Books like Nestlings remind me why I love the horror genre so much. What counts as horrifying to someone is subjective of course, but I think this book has something in it for everyone. The commentary the author gives on so many different topics is so relevant and so nuanced. I loved listening to this book. I will absolutely be adding a print copy to my personal library and recommending it to all my friends. Nat Cassidy has become an auto-buy author for me.

4.75 stars rounded up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely loved this to start off my spooky season reads!! Honestly worried the rest won’t compare!

This book was fast-pace with just enough of “what is actually going on right now?” To keep you thoroughly entertained!
Not sure if it was just me, but man, the whole book I hated Reid 😂 How I’d love to slap that man.
Nestlings really keeps the creep-factor up and I loved just the sense of dread and excitement leading almost all the way through!
I did feel that sometimes during the story a lot of nothing happened, which is the reason for 4.75 and not full 5, however, it never stopped me from wanting to continue on and figure out what’s going on.
Definitely worth the read for spooky season!

It’s important to note that the audiobook narrator can really make or break the listening experience and I feel that Cassandra Campbell did a great job on this. I am not a big audiobook listener but I found myself unable to take breaks from listening to this and devoured it within a couple of days. Campbell really helped communicate that dread and terror that arises in the book.

I will also say that if you read this PLEASE read and/or listen to the notes and acknowledgements at the end from the author. While the book scared me, the additional notes made me cry and got me in my feels. So I highly recommend it.

NESTLINGS follows new-ish parents, Ana and Reid, when their names are pulled in the residence lottery and they’re moving into their new, better apartment in the renown Deptford building in New York. Ana suffered a traumatic injury during childbirth that left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. After an extremely tough postpartum period, during which time Ana and Reid had to deal with their anti-semetic and overall problematic landlord hounding them constantly.

Getting this new apartment was supposed to be a relief, but quickly Ana starts to notice some strange behavior with their daughter, Charlie, and otherwise odd happenings around the building. All the while, Reid is becoming more and more obsessed with the Deptford building and its history.

The plot is unique, surprising, and definitely scary. It’s really interesting how Cassidy weaved this story together and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole ride. There were a couple times toward the end where I thought I knew how it would end but was continually surprised and intrigued by the character’s choices. Without giving anything away, the ending is unexpected and will leave you wanting but in a good way, I promise. It ends exactly how it should even though it’s not what I would call a happy ending. But when is it ever in a horror novel?

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

Nestlings: an intriguing horror novel reminiscent of Rosemary’s Baby and Ghostbusters (but in a totally serious way)

Ana and Reid have had horrible luck. After a difficult pregnancy and birth, which left Ana in a wheelchair, they finally get good news. They’ve won the opportunity to rent a beautiful apartment in a fancy, historic New York City building. Ana starts feeling something is amiss in the building and notices her baby daughter begins acting… unusual. Reid thinks it’s all due to the stress of the move, but baby Charlie doesn’t settle and Ana suspects there is something evil in the building.

Yep, she’s right! But when you think you’ve figured out what the evil is, there are some interesting twists that make this story stand out. This is the first book I’ve read by Nat Cassidy, and I will definitely seek out others. Creepy and well written!

I received a free audiobook copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

eeek! i listened to nat cassidy's newest, Nestlings, this weekend and it gave me the heebie jeebies. ana and reid are navigating a period of real shit luck when they are offered a fresh start in the Deptford, one of NYC's most famous luxury apartment buildings. soon after getting all moved in with new baby, charlie, ana seems to get the sense that something about the place is very off. on top of that, ana is newly paralyzed after surviving a difficult delivery with charlie. reid's acting distant, charlie refuses to acclimate to the new digs, and that window was definitely shut last she checked. much like The Shining's Overlook Hotel, the Deptford has a dark history and an inexplicable influence on it's residents. Nestlings is eerie and icky and not for the squeamish.

I absolutely loved the narration, the atmospheric setting of the infamous Deptford apartment building in New York City, and the vivid descriptions that brought it to life. Ana and Reid's journey, filled with both hope and challenges, had me engrossed from the start.

The author masterfully painted a picture of this enigmatic building and its reclusive residents who seem to have an unusual obsession with babies. Ana's confinement to a wheelchair after a complicated childbirth added a layer of complexity to their situation, and moving into one of the uppermost floors of the building only heightened the intrigue.

However, I have to admit that the turn the story took, particularly when Reid lost his job and got involved with the strangely youthful old woman, didn't quite sit well with me. It introduced a disturbing element that may not be suitable for readers with a weak stomach.

Nevertheless, if you're in search of a sly, smart thriller with a captivating atmosphere and intricate world-building, this book is a must-read. I would also strongly recommend reading the author's afterward at the end of the story; it adds depth and context that makes the entire experience even more satisfying. Overall, I would rate this book very positively. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I very rarely read the same author in back-to-back months let alone weeks apart. I have way too many on the tbr to do that. But after recently finishing Mary and loving it I stumbled across this one on NetGalley and f’n jumped on it.

If you are going to drop the “creeping paranoia of Rosemary's Baby and the urban horror of Salem's Lot” in the back cover copy…you better bring it. And bring it hard.

Nat brought it.

Welcome to the Debtford building. Beautiful architecture, rich history, and eccentric residents. Maybe a sprinkling of devil possessed bed bugs and not real wheelchair friendly either, but hell without the lottery it would be utterly unaffordable and with a new baby this is their chance to start fresh.

There you go. If you wish for anything more in the way of a spoilery synopsis you’re just going to have to read it yourself. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even read the synopsis when I saw this one, I just knew I wanted it and dove right in. That’s the way to do it.


4+ Stars and Highly Recommended..