I absolutely loved the last book I read by Aggie Blum Thompson (I Don't Forgive You, 08 Jun 2021, 5 Stars) and looked forward to reading and reviewing Such A Lovely Family. I wish I could be as enthusiastic about this book as I was with the other, but I simply couldn't connect with the story. There is also an overwhelming number of characters in this novel to track, and I found that frustrating. I'm so sorry to leave a less than stellar review. I will, however, look forward to this author's next release and try again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forge Books for providing an advance copy for review. *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

I want to start this review by saying THAT COVER!! Absolutely stunning!

This is a wild ride of family drama kicked up a high notch! The Calhoun family is not a family I would want to be a part of. From beginning to end there was always something happening that left you on the edge of your seat questioning everyone's motives. Throughout this book, the Calhoun family was hiding something from each other (and their neighbors/friends too) and it leaves the reader to guess almost everyone's motives. The twist at the end left me sitting back and absorbing this plot for a few days before I could come up for air and leave this review. I haven't been able to start a new book since finishing this one. I guess no matter what the price tag says, money can't buy happiness and it most certainly can not keep the truth from eventually making itself known. I will be pushing this book on everyone I know who loves murder, mystery, family dramas, bizarre secrets and rich families gone awry. Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover and walk away with a satisfying read with 5 stars.

Thank you Tor Publishing and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A family thriller, the Calhoun family is “picture perfect” but are that really? They all had secrets which had me at the edge of my seat. Loved the plot and the twists!

A wickedly salacious whodunit that feels, as one character describes, as "Succession in the DC suburbs." Thompson does a delightful job of immediately bringing each character to life, with the entire novel taking place over just a few days' time but with decades worth of malice, spite and family drama. Readers will both love to hate the ultra-wealthy Calhoun family and at the same time find their shallowness slightly resonant (for aren't we all just a little bit avaricious?). I read this one in a day or so, and it's just fun. Would highly recommend.

The novel delves into the lives of the Calhoun family, seemingly picturesque on the surface but harboring deep secrets and vulnerabilities. After a murder disrupts their annual event, hidden truths begin to emerge, leading to a tense and gripping tale of betrayal, lies, and unexpected twists within the family. The characters are meticulously crafted, each with their unique roles, and the narrative keeps readers guessing until the very end, with every chapter revealing new surprises. The author's portrayal of the family dynamics and the unfolding of their secrets adds depth and intrigue to the story, making it an engrossing whodunit!

As far as thrillers go, this one is in my top 5! I loved the formatting of this book that gave insight into each character's perspectives and feelings, as well as providing their pieces in the overall puzzle. I thought each character was well thought out and were easily understandable, giving the feeling as if you could predict them, when in reality, this was far from the truth. I thought that the overall mystery was very well-done and gripping, and I would highly recommend this book to others! I enjoyed the writing style, fast-paced nature, and story that this book provided, and I feel lucky to have gotten to read it!

Love a family thriller, one with secrets and mis-used privilege, and this one was compelling and fascinating, atmospheric and lovely. Adored it.

The book follows the Calhoun Family A picture-perfect family. Thom and Ginny have been married for 35 years. They have 3 Adult children together. The Eldest is Thomas (Trey) Calhoun III, The middle child is Nate Calhoun and the youngest is Ellie Grace. While hosting their annual Cherry Blossom Party, tragedy strikes when the party ends in murder. Soon dark secrets within the family are slowly revealed when the family is placed under a microscope as possible suspects.

The author wrote the Calhoun family perfectly. This is exactly what I’d imagine when I think of a “Picture-perfect” family. Extravagant parties, Christmas cards with coordinating outfits, and spending thousands just for fun. Just for the family to keep up a facade of a perfect life while secretly falling apart. Ginny's favorite child Trey is the black sheep of the family who has returned home with the help of his parents to get him on the right path after making a huge mess in California. Nate is the seemingly normal one of the bunch. He would prefer a simple life with his fiancé Danit and Son Maclom. Ellie Grace an Instagram Influencer with a need to show off her seemingly "perfect life" to her thousands of followers. What Ellie Grace really craves is her parent's acceptance and attention.

Such a lovely family has secrets, lies, twists, betrayal, and murder. This is whodunnit kept me guessing until the very end. Everyone has a secret in the book and in each chapter, it's revealed. The book had me gasping out loud with each reveal. Each character played a special role and the personalities were written in perfect detail. My absolute favorite character was Cookie! I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller and look forward to reading more from Aggie Thompson.

Thank you to NetGalley, A Forgebooks, and Aggie Blum Thompson for the opportunity to be an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a small town family thriller with plenty of twists and turns then check this one out! Don't let the cover fool you. It may be pretty and it may look like it will be a cutesy story but its not! This is an excellent thriller that kept me gripping the pages.

2,5 ⭐️

Even though this book kept me entertained, I wasn’t at all impressed by the storyline and finale. I had high hopes for an edge-of-my-seat finale, but it just didn’t do it for me, sadly.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

First off, thank you Netagalley for this opportunity!

Secondly, as a newbie in the world of thriller books this was definitely a fun little read! Would recommend reading it to anyone who loves this genre

My main 2024 reading goal is to read outside of my comfort zone; I don't read many thrillers, but as a librarian working (and living) in northern-ish Virginia, the cherry blossom season setting caught my attention.

A murder breaks out at a fancy party; a classic thriller setting, but this has a lot of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

Predicting much interest among our patrons due to the Washington DC/cherry blossom season setting!

Many thanks to Tor Publishing/Forge Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked from the cover and so glad I was able to read this, it had a great story going through this and had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for. The characters were interesting and enjoyed the dark secrets of this family. I really enjoyed what I read and it had everything that I was looking for.

I was super excited to get this book, but it just really never was able to capture my attention. It was just slow.

Thank you NetGalley, Forge Books, and Aggie Blum Thompson for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I loooove a good messy family thriller and damn if this one didn’t deliver! The Calhoun family had a whole host of interesting characters and I really enjoyed how all their stories played out.

I’ve loved everything Thompson has written so far and I think this just might be her best one yet!

Such a Lovely Family will be on US bookshelves March 12!

A good story, that kept me entertained and finished the book quickly. However, seems similar to many other books in this genre and just doesn't stand put for me xx

I have really enjoyed all the books I've read by this author and this one was just as entertaining as her previous stories. Such a Lovely Family is full of secrets, despicable characters, and surprises.

What I enjoyed about this book: I love the Washington, DC setting that Thompson uses in her stories -- the elite suburban neighborhoods full of gossip, power, and wealth. I also enjoyed the characters in this book, even the despicable ones carried the story so well. The story moved at an appropriate pace and is written in an entertaining "whodunnit" style. I was genuinely intrigued with the direction of the story and solving the crime.

What I didn't enjoy: Overall, I found the book very entertaining. A few moments felt too rushed or absurd but otherwise I really enjoyed this quick read.

I will certainly continue to read books by this author and recommend this one.

This book masterfully weaves a suspenseful narrative, delving into the intricate consequences of harboring secrets and the poignant cost of upholding an illusion of perfection. From the start until the very last page you’ll be hooked on this story.

With each twist and revelation, the story exposes the vulnerabilities beneath the surface, compelling readers to question the true price of concealing the shadows that lurk within.

A captivating exploration of the human condition, this novel invites us on a thrilling journey that goes beyond the facade, unraveling the complexities of familial relationships and the choices that shape our lives.

An engaging and thought-provoking tale that lingers in the mind; is a must-read for those who appreciate the artistry of storytelling and the exploration of the hidden truths that define our existence.

I just reviewed Such a Lovely Family by Aggie Blum Thompson. #SuchaLovelyFamily #NetGalley

The Calhoun’s hosted a lavish cherry blossom party each and every year. Unfortunately, this year’s festivities came to an abrupt end when someone was murdered. The resulting investigation cracked the picture-perfect facade the family maintained.

Such a Lovely Family was a solid popcorn thriller jam-packed with secrets, lies and family drama. This book was filled with unlikeable characters I loved to hate. While entertaining, I felt as though the majority of the characters lacked depth, which made it difficult to connect with them. With that being said, the author did a great job at keeping me guessing. Everyone seemed to have a motive and I suspected nearly every character of murder at one point or another. If you enjoy rich people drama with a side of murder, I recommend checking this one out.

This was more akin to a cozy mystery and I struggle with this genre. I expected something different out of this one and due to mismatched expectations this ended up not being the book for me.

I do appreciate the physical as well as the e-arc from Tor publishing and netgalley. The physical will be shared in my little free library and hopefully it will find itself in the hands of someone who will truly enjoy it.

Thank you.