The premise sounded interesting, but it missed the mark a bit for me. I'd expected more suspense, but, instead, there was more dysfunctional family drama. It felt more like a young adult vs adult read. Some parts were overly wordy, and the storyline could've benefitted from a bit more dialogue and action vs. narration. I enjoyed the creepy hotel vibe, and the oncoming hurricane season added a nice touch. It's a quick read, but the ending wraps up a bit too neatly.

Such a good book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn’t keep it down!!! Unexpected twists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Description: The Precipice is a legendary, family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine. With the recent passing of their father, the Bishop sisters—Iris, Vicki, and Faith—have come for the weekend to claim it. But with a hurricane looming and each of the Bishop sisters harboring dangerous secrets, there's murder in the air—and not everyone who checks into the Precipice will be checking out.

Each sister wants what is rightfully hers, and in the mix is the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley Kelley: smart, resilient, older than her years, and in desperate straits.

The arrival of the Bishop sisters could spell disaster for Charley. Will they close the hotel? Fire her? Discover her habit of pilfering from guests? Or even worse, learn that she's using a guest room to hide a woman on the run.

Review: A cast of unlikeable characters, in a remote hotel, trapped by a storm....you couldn't get more Agatha Christie/Clue than that. But where And Then There Were None is suspenseful and tension filled, and Clue was simple outrageous and fun, One Big Happy Family is none of those things. The plot revealed itself to be a bit too predictable (for one who has been reading these types of books for most of their life) and the chapters often too long. Worse, I didn't feel anything positive for any of the characters., not even Charley. They weren't all bad characters, they didn't all do anything wrong. They all simply felt flat and one dimensional, If three times as many characters had died, I wouldn't have been upset about the loss. The ending wrapped up almost too nicely but I did appreciate that Charley was able to have a special moment with someone she loved.

Who is this book for Readers of mystery, locked door puzzles, dysfunctional family dynamics and secrets that come back to haunt you (and you haven't been jaded by years of reading this particular genre)) may enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed this book! It took me a little while to get into it at first. For me it just started off a bit slow but once it picked up and we really got to know the characters it was quite captivating. I LOVED the setting of this book and that ambiance that the author portrays here is amazing. The hotel and the way the author describes it so well that I feel like I can see each room. I loved that there is this storm happening and all of the characters are stuck here with these weird things happening. This was really my kind of book. I also loved the family drama aspect of it, it really gave it that extra piece that it needed. The family secrets give this story so much more to dive into and I just ate it up! Literally reading and my jaw on the floor the whole time !! I could not put this book down and I know for a fact no one else will be able to either.

I feel like this book would be a great summer evening read curled up on the couch with a glass of wine. I anticipate that this is going to be a hit ! The book comes out on July 16th 2024.

Thanks so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review my very first ARC ! I’m so excited to see what other things you have to offer and I looking forward to reviewing again soon! This was a HIT !!

The bishop sisters are cold together after death in the family, to see what part of the inheritance they are going to get
Of course, secrets from the past come to light, throwing a big happy family ( not so much) a family, secret and inheritance, and a murder mystery and you have what I thought was a great book

I wanted this to be scarier and creepier.

The parts of the book revolving around the Bishop sisters were so fun and interesting. I love that they have a complicated history, full of betrayal and at least one suspicious death.

If the book only contained the Bishop sisters' stories, I would have enjoyed it more. The parts with Charley came across as cheesy, and Charley's naivete (especially considering she was forced to grow up quickly, taking care of her elderly grandmother and busting her ass to make rent) was infuriating.

I also felt like Quinn and Oliver were just kind of thrown into the story, lacking the depth and personality the rest of the Bishop family contained.

Exciting and awesome novel with the all-star cast of the Bishop family as the hot topic. Owners of an historic hotel, called together after a death in the family, find out hidden secrets from their past weren't really hidden.

(DNF, rated 3 stars for neutrality) Unfortunately this book was getting way too clogged up with characters and I found that I just couldn't get into the writing style or care about what was happening. It had a really interesting premise for me, but I just couldn't focus on the book enough to actually get through it.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is no such thing as a "big happy family" and this book proved it! It was an average thriller that I would consider more entertaining than creepy/suspenseful. It took place in one suffocatingly small location (old hotel in Maine) full of people who have lots of secrets with a scary storm headed towards them... perfect combination for disaster! I also enjoyed the author's other novel. There were a few twists in this one that did leave me very surprised and I was happy with how the story wrapped up.

I was very excited to get a chance to read an early copy of this book because I really enjoyed The Block Party by this author, and this book did not disappoint! I really enjoyed this locked room mystery story that had so much family drama. I loved reading and uncovering the secrets and lies of these unpredictable characters.
There were tons of twists as the story unfolded, most of which I did not predict. This is a super fast paced, unputdownable thriller that I am excited to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. I see Jamie Day becoming an auto read author for me after enjoying these last two books!

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day is a murder mystery told from the point of view of Charley, a young woman who faces significant personal and financial challenges within her own life. Charley has been living for free in a closet-sized room in a hotel on the coast of Maine. In return she cleans the rooms for a small salary. Her employer has just died and Charley is preparing for the arrival of the deceased hotel owner's three daughters, each of whom hopes to receive a significant inheritance. Charley, however, fears the change in ownership might cause her to lose her job, her living arrangement, and her ability to care for those she loves.
As members of the family arrive, Charley realizes this is a family filled with rifts and haunted by a complicated history. When one family member is found dead, the tension is ratcheted up, and Charley wishes she knew their history - and secrets. A raging hurricane roars outside the hotel's walls and further intensifies the situation within.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a review. While reading this book, I alternated between investment and frustration. The plot is engaging and propels the story forward, but the story bogs down repeatedly with too much content and, for me, a repetition of information that had been already shared in earlier chapters. The twists and turns compelled me to finish the book, but I would have enjoyed it more in a pared down version.

Wow, this was such a great book! So many twist and turns, so many secrets. The author did an amazing job creating and writing this story and I truly felt like I was a fly on the wall watching everything firsthand. If you like murder mysteries, psychological thrillers, and family drama you will love this book! I am truly amazed at how intricately intwined the characters are and how the story unfolds!

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for an eARC ♥️

Hey there, book buddies! 📚 I finished "One big happy family” by Jamie Day, and whoa, it's a thrill ride! 🎢 This suspenseful story takes place at a spooky hotel on Maine's rocky coast, where secrets are as thick as the storm clouds gathering outside. ⛈️

Meet the Bishop sisters, each with their own hidden agendas, and Charley, the quick-witted chambermaid who's in over her head. 🤯 As the hurricane bears down, tensions rise, and secrets start spilling like the hotel's ancient keepsakes. It's a perfect storm of family drama, twists, and turns! 🌊

I love how Day masterfully weaves together the creepy atmosphere of the old hotel, the sisters' tangled relationships, and Charley's own secrets. The writing is top-notch, with a nod to the classic suspense authors like Agatha Christie. 💡 You'll be on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds, wondering who'll make it out alive... and who'll get caught in the storm! 🌪️

The characters are complex and well-developed, with surprises hidden beneath their surface. Charley's wit and resourcefulness make her a standout protagonist, while the Bishop sisters' toxic dynamics will keep you guessing. And let's not forget the hotel itself – it's like a character, with its own secrets and history! 🏨

"One big happy family” is a gripping, stay-up-all-night read that'll keep you enthralled from start to finish. Just remember, not everyone will emerge unscathed... 😉

Welcome to The Precipice, where family secrets crash against the rocky shores of Maine in Jamie Day's gripping mystery, 'One Big Happy Family.' As the Bishop sisters— Irs, Vicki, and Faith—descend upon their inheritance, tensions rise like the incoming storm. With vivid characters and a plot as twisty as the coastal roads, Day keeps you guessing until the final page. But it's not just the Bishops who steal the show; Charley Kelley, the determined chambermaid, adds layers of depth to this atmospheric tale. We see the story play out mostly through her eyes. 'One Big Happy Family' is a thrilling blend of family drama, suspense, and a touch of the unexpected—a must-read for mystery lovers!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

One Big Happy Family is a very suspenseful novel. Three sisters come to hear the reading of their father’s will at his hotel, The Precipice. Charley, the hotel’s maid, is afraid to lose her job if they sell or close the hotel. In addition, Charley has allowed a women to stay a the hotel without paying and needs to keep her hidden from the sisters. There is a hurricane force storm, Larry, coming which forces all of them to remain at the hotel. Many secrets are revealed during the night along with murders happening of which no one really knows who is committing it. Many twists and turns in this novel which will keep you engaged. My only complaint is that it got a little bogged down in the middle and seemed forever to get through that. An easy read and hard to guess what is going to happen next

Jamie Day's suspenseful page-turner One Big Happy Family pulls readers into the brewing storm surrounding the Precipice, a legendary Maine family hotel, after the death of its owner. Three estranged sisters—Iris, Vicki, and Faith Bishop—converge to claim their inheritance, harboring dangerous secrets and old resentments. Adding to the tension, a hurricane looms offshore, trapping the siblings and others at the hotel.

The story builds drama and intrigue by rotating the narrative perspective among the Bishop sisters, giving insight into each one's complex motives and storied history with the others. Though seemingly at odds, Day develops them all with empathy. The plot thrills when the discovery of a guest murdered in his room raises the stormy stakes higher still.

Equally strong is the perspective of 19-year-old chambermaid Charley Kelley, a promising student sidelined by tragedy. Her resilience and intelligence make her a compelling character. When the Bishop sisters arrive, Charley risks losing her job or worse if they discover her habit of stealing small items from guests' rooms to resell online to support herself and her injured mother. Charley’s unfolding connection with eccentric guest Mrs. Elias injects the story with heartwarming charm.

Brimming with family drama, stormy suspense, and a touch of charm, One Big Happy Family is a fast-paced and engaging read bound to please lovers of the genre and spark lively book club discussions. A wonderful read!

Because I considered The Block Party one of my favorite reads last year, I was thrilled to get a copy of One Big Happy Family to read and review. While it didn't grab me the way The Block Party did, this is a solid suspenseful novel. A closed hotel of characters, a reading of a will with unexpected heirs and conditions, and three sisters with secrets and grudges against each other made for a fun and sometimes crazy series of events taking place during a hurricane and subsequent power outage.

I did enjoy this book a lot - it could have been shorter as it seemed to drag a bit through the last third until coming to a somewhat eye-rolling conclusion. It did keep me reading and interested which is what I ultimately think is important when reading a book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

#OneBigHappyFamily #NetGalley
Wowzers!!!
The Bishop sisters--Iris, Vicki, and Faith--have come for the weekend to claim it. But with a hurricane looming and each of the Bishop sisters harboring dangerous secrets, there's murder in the air-- and not everyone who checks into the Precipice will be checking out. Each sister wants what is rightfully hers, and in the mix is the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley Kelley: smart, resilient, older than her years, and in desperate straits. The arrival of the Bishop sisters could spell disaster for Charley. Will they close the hotel? Fire her? Discover her habit of pilfering from guests? Or even worse, learn that she's using a guest room to hide a woman on the run. It was a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an advance copy.

This book had so many twists and turns, there wasn’t a chance of sorting it out! Loved it!
Crazy somewhat far fetched “ who done it”.
Funny, yes perfectly sprinkled throughout this mystery crime tale.

This book has action, family drama, murder and more. I liked the way I was able to get to know the characters before all mayhem broke out.
This book had some good plot twists and had me guessing til the end.
This book was a good read and I'm thankful I got to get an advanced reader copy!