I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good suspenseful read. The pacing kept me hooked and the ending surprised me. I thought the twists were really well delivered.

I look forward to more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Jamie for a copy of this ARC!

One Big Happy Family was such a heartwarming and fun read that made me smile throughout. I loved the quirky characters and the way their family dynamics felt real and relatable. The story’s mix of humor and heartfelt moments kept me fully engaged from start to finish. It was the perfect feel-good book that left me with a warm, happy feeling.

The Bishop sisters arrive for the weekend to claim their family-owned hotel after the passage of their father. There's a hurricane a-comin'!

I need to do a better job of keeping up with ARCs and also pay attention to what I already have in my library. I got this from the library (please support your local libraries) and after perusing NetGalley realized I already had it. I enjoyed Jamie Day's previous book, The Block Party, but I think One Big Happy Family was a better example of this genre, family drama with suspense and locked-room mystery. This author has improved, Agatha Christie would be pretty proud. Also, it's set in MAINE. During a hurricane named Larry.

Plenty of suspense and twists and turns, but ultimately this one fell a bit flat for me. Many of the twists were predictable early on and I did not find any of the characters particularly compelling. The behavior and naivity of the main character in particular bothered me.

I found this to be an interesting summer read. It was a real page Turner and kept me thinking. I never did guess who the murderer was so that’s what interest me the most most of the time I can figure it out. Good job.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I absolutely loved the first book by Jamie so was beyond excited to be approved to read this! This is one fantastic book - absolutely love her writing style and the way she is able to keep you engaged to the very last sentence. Lots of suspense and twists and turns that you will love! Another fantastic read!

I thought this one was okay! Your typical rich people problem thriller and a murder mystery element. Most of the characters were unlikable but it did have a couple of outlandish moments that made me laugh. Would read something else by this author for sure!

I wasn't 100% sure what I was getting myself into when I started One Big Happy Family, but I knew I was in for a wild ride when Charley & Rodrigo were talking about how their boss died and his three daughters were coming back to the hotel to ride out the hurricane, listen to the reading of the will and plan the funeral. And also, Charley taking in Bree, as a stray hideaway in the hotel, because her heart is soooo big, that she just couldn't say no.

The more this book went on, and the bodies started dropping and the storm that brew INSIDE the hotel had nothing on LARRY. What I will say is that Todd was passed around just like the bishop sisters' father. Just plain nasty. My theory on Bree was 50% correct - but I wasn't fully correct on her vendetta.

Todd was a terror - Just the worst and greedy. Vicki was rabid and because of that, she was shortsighted and almost landed herself in prison. Faith, girl... "The family F***ed my husband" if you know, you know. Iris deserved better - she was the most manipulated and taken from.

I felt bad for the innocent folks involved in this story. Those that experience trauma at the hand/decisions of others. In that trauma, it was a domino effect that created more problems for others.

Overall, it was a pretty good book.

This is my first book by Jamie Day and won’t be my last! I loved the Maine setting and the thrill that came with it. The story started out kind of slow, but it progressed and by the end, I was unable to put it down! The family chaos and drama was so exciting and kept me glued to book! The short chapters were also nice !

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dysfunctional, Twisty, and Hard to Look Away

One Big Happy Family was such an addictive read! Jamie Day does a great job peeling back the layers of what looks like a perfect family—and revealing all the secrets, lies, and tension bubbling underneath. I loved how each character had their own perspective and baggage, which made the story feel messy in a very real, relatable way.

The pacing was solid, and the twists were well-timed. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story would take a turn I didn’t see coming. It kept me guessing, and I was fully invested in seeing how it would all unravel.

I’m giving it four stars because while it was definitely entertaining, there were a couple of moments that felt slightly over-the-top or could’ve used a bit more emotional depth. But overall, it was a juicy, satisfying read—perfect if you love drama, secrets, and complicated family dynamics.

A twisted and suspenseful read that had me tense the entire time! I loved the chacaters and I lovedd the ending!

I loved Jamie Day's debut novel, "The Block Party," so I was very excited to read this book. "One Big Happy Family" is an atmospheric thriller full of family drama and secrets. For the most part, I enjoyed it. It was a quick and easy read, and I finished it in just a few sittings. I liked the locked room mystery, and the plot kept me intrigued and wanting to keep reading. The pacing was slow at times, but there were still plenty of twists. I look forward to reading more from the author!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not too sure how I felt bout this one. It was an okay read. I like the idea and the out line of the story.

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day is a tense, twisty story set at The Precipice, a family-owned hotel perched on Maine’s rugged coast. The hotel is directly in the path of a hurricane when the Bishop sisters, Vicki, Iris, and Faith, gather to settle their father’s estate. As the storm closes in, family secrets are revealed and someone ends up dead.

The story is partly told from the perspective of Charley Kelley, the hotel’s 19-year-old chambermaid. Smart and observant, Charley’s juggling her own problems: caring for her grandmother and secretly helping a woman on the run. Her chapters show an outsider’s view and the class divide that complicates the story.

The setting is a significant part of the plot, with the people trapped together in the hotel battling the elements as much as each other. The book is fast-paced with plenty of twists.

One Big Happy Family blends family drama and suspense, perfect for fans of domestic thrillers set in moody, coastal locations.

I received this Advance Reader Copy of One Big Happy Family from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Did not get to read - have way too many books on the shelf. Need to clear some out. Hope to get to this one in the future though.

A wonderfully suspenseful summertime read from a favorite author! This one has a locked room mystery feel to it, as it takes place during a fierce hurricane. The characters are well developed, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep things interesting. Recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

This is a closed room mystery and family drama that just missed the mark for me. I loved Ms. Day's first book, The Block Party, but this one just felt ok.

The three Bishop sisters are at their family's hotel on the coast of Maine for the reading of their father's will, despite a hurricane heading right for them. This allows for no guests, which is good, since someone is found dead soon after the reading. The only people there are the sisters and their families, the desk manager, and the chamber maid, Charley.

Charley is 19 and has been working (and living) at The Precipice for a couple years. She pretty much gives her paycheck to the care of her grandmother. With the home raising the cost, it seems like a bit of luck when Bree appears at the hotel, looking for help. She is hiding from her abusive boyfriend and will pay Charley cash if she can stay. What else can Charley do? This will pay for her grandmother's care and she's doing something good for someone else.

The Bishops are one messed up family. There is so much drama - more drama than thrill or mystery - so if you like dysfunctional families, this is a good choice. Sadly, I found a lot of points too difficult to believe and had to suspend my disbelief many times.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day is a locked-room mystery that takes place on the rocky shore of Maine. Facing a hurricane, the Bishop sisters return to the hotel for the reading of their father's will. Charley Kelley is the live-in maid responsible for catering to their needs while also trying to ready the hotel for the coming storm.

I actually finished this book way back in October but I have been far behind on my reviews. First of all, the fine print on the cover is important otherwise the title and cover art almost makes it seem like a whimsical family story. I didn't notice it until I started writing this review so I don't know how obvious this is in person having never actually seen the physical book. I liked the Gothic setting and what I pictured in my head as a dark hotel. The family is certainly dysfunctional with lots of secrets and betrayal. Charley has some secrets of her own.

I gave this book 3 stars because I felt like the characters were flat. Some of the revelations felt forced and rushed toward the end of the book. My favorite character was actually the desk clerk and he had such a small role. Overall, I think this book had more potential but will appeal to fans of a locked-room mystery and family drama.

Thank you to the publisher #stmartinspress and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.

One Big Happy Family had a strong start—the setup was fun, the characters were intriguing, and I was really into the idea of all the drama that would unfold when the Bishop sisters came back together. Charley’s storyline had me hooked early on, and I appreciated the short chapters that made it easy to keep turning the pages.

But about halfway through, the story started to lose its momentum for me. I found myself losing interest as things dragged on. There was a lot of focus on backstories and character development—which I usually enjoy—but for a thriller, it started to feel like a bit too much. It felt like the story kept branching out instead of staying focused, which made it feel longer than it needed to be. I eventually figured out where it was going, and by then, it just didn’t have the same impact.

This was my first book by Jamie Day, so I didn’t have any expectations going in, but I know a lot of people loved her debut. I’d definitely still check out more from her in the future, because I can tell she knows how to build interesting characters and layered family dynamics. This one just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ARC!

This book was fast and twisty. The characters are unlikeable which is totally good with me and all had their own secrets and schemes. There was lots of suspense especially with how moody and atmospheric this setting was described. This book kept me entertained and I would recommend to others for a twisty family suspense book.