This was my first book from Jamie Day and wow! One Big Happy Family was one wild and unhinged roller coaster of a story.

The characters were absolutely nuts, the setting was quirky and comforting at the same time, and the story was an up and down battle of wits and human decency. The story taking place during a particularly devastating hurricane was a great catalyst for the events because you were really able to kind of envision this chaotic storm churning in the background of each page. It really set the tone and mood. My only gripe was it felt a little drawn out in the middle, but then the ending was jam packed with wild twists and turns and a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC before its expected release date of July 16, 2024.

I recently had the opportunity to read "The One Big Happy Family , by Jamie Day, thanks to NetGalley, who provided me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an unbiased review. Set against the backdrop of the legendary family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine, the Bishop sisters vie for control in the aftermath of their father's passing. With secrets aplenty and a looming hurricane, the atmosphere is charged with suspense. While the novel offers a unique blend of wit, heart, and thrilling twists, I found the pacing a bit uneven, which impacted my overall engagement.

Despite the occasional pacing issues, Day's storytelling skill shines through, crafting a suspenseful tale with intriguing characters and a captivating setting. "The Precipice" keeps readers on their toes, uncovering dangerous secrets and the potential for murder in a coastal haven. Overall, I would rate the book 3 out of 5, appreciating the engaging elements while noting room for improvement in pacing dynamics. Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to delve into this summertime suspense novel.

To be honest, I found the whole plot pretty far-fetched, but I kept reading because I did want to know what happened.

*Thanks to Edelweiss, Netgalley, and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

this is a mystery with lots of not so nice suspects. There're several story lines that keep you guessing and lots of surprise twists. The characters are very human and despite their flaws you feel sorry for some of them and forgive the others.

One Big Happy Family is a locked room style mystery that takes place at The Precipice hotel during a freak Maine hurricane. The Bishop family has arrived for the reading of the will, and they, along with staff and a stowaway guest are thrown together as murders occur and suspicions rise.

I thought the premise and beginning of this novel were intriguing, however I did feel it bogged down in the middle and had a surprising twist that felt very unexpected. Overall this was a strong novel with some weaknesses.

I recommend this book for frequent readers who are looking for a thriller to pass the time. I give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book for my review.

Although I found myself unsure of my overall feelings towards this book, I can't deny that it kept me intrigued from beginning to end. The narrative had an undeniable pull that kept me turning the pages, eager to uncover what would happen next. While some aspects may have left me questioning, the author's ability to maintain my interest throughout the story is commendable. If you're seeking a read that will keep you engaged, even if it leaves you with mixed emotions, this book might be worth giving a try.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This is an outstanding story about a hotel in Maine where a nasty father who owns it has recently died and his three adult daughters come to hear the reading of his will. Vicky, Faith and Iris each come to Maine with secrets and hidden agendas . The storyteller is a 19 year old chambermaid who works at the hotel. Charley, the maid, is hiding a friend in the hotel to protect her from an abusive boyfriend. There are several murders and twists and turns that make the plot very interesting. This is my first book by Jamie Day and I look forward to reading more .

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and author Jamie Day for the advance ecopy of this book.

Charley is a nineteen-year-old working as a maid at a quirky hotel in a small town in Maine. She is overworked and underpaid, but has to keep her crappy job to pay for her Nana's care. Her lecherous boss, George, has died. His three daughters and their families have come to the hotel for the reading of George's will. And hurricane Larry is about to hit. As the story unfolds, we learn about the three sisters and their strained relationships. When the hurricane hits, someone is murdered. The sisters are forced to admit their secrets and indiscretions. Everything and everyone is intricately interwoven. Who is our murderer, and who will die next?

I really enjoyed this book and stayed up late into the night reading it. I would highly recommend it! 4 out of 5 🌟

4.5 STARS

What a fun setting! 🏩🌩️

I had a blast reading this one (after not really feeling The Block Party). I'm glad I gave the author another chance!

We have another tale with a maid. The hotel she works at is The Precipice, family owned, and full of vintage keepsakes, considered eclectic, and unusual. It is near a cliff with a steep drop. The owner is George Bishop. His collecting and antiquing habit well known in Maine, as well as his obsession with conspiracy theories.

Charley is the maid and she has her hands full as the wind wails outside the hotel. A hurricane is looming and a homicidal maniac is on the loose! It was like the weather was forecasting what would ultimately take place inside (the eye of the storm)! Walls shaking, as bone-rattling gusts hit and the Bishop sisters arrive for the reading of George's will. Oh my! Someone will NOT be happy.

Get reading for a heaping dose of chaos, family toxicity at a new level, shocking secrets, a sordid history with long grudges. I felt some strong Christie vibes in the storytelling (which I loved)! Took off half star for a few quibbles, but I devoured this and enjoyed the journey!

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press! I really enjoyed Day's book "The Block Party" and was excited to read this book. This one absolutely did not disappoint! The characters in this book were interesting and well thought out, the plot was fast-paced and twisty, and the scenery was so fun! I love Maine and thought this was the perfect backdrop for this book.

so the first book i read by this author was Block party and I loved every second this book did not let me down it was really good i got attached to the characters and felt like I was there just like in Block party. I do love a hotel / motel thriller and this one was good it didn't knock me out the park but it was good id def recommend it . I did enjoy the sisters dynamic.

One Big Happy Family was a great book. The characters were well developed and interesting. There were several twists that were not completely surprising, but weaved in to add more dynamic to the plot. It flowed well between past and present timelines, which can sometimes be tricky in books, but was nicely layered here. The pace was decent, more of a slower build but not enough for me to be frustrated. Overall an interesting read!

I loved this author’s book “The Block Party,” so I was excited to read this newest one. It didn’t disappoint! Lots of action, fast-paced, and very unpredictable plot twists. It had everything I look for in a psychological thriller. I can’t wait to recommend closer to pub day. Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

There are lots of twists and turns in this book. It is fast paced and has a variety of characters. The scene is set in old hotel in Maine. The descriptions of setting, view and rooms are well done. I could picture them in my mind. All in all I enjoyed this book even if a bit far-fetched in areas.

The Bishop sisters - Faith, Hope, and Iris - are called back to their family's mansion hotel upon the mysterious death of their father. Long held secrets are revealed as Hurricane Larry moves in, forcing the sisters and their family and guests to ride out the storm...literally and figuratively. Lots of twists and turns keep the reader guessing. Well worth the read!

Wowww this one kept me on my toes the whole way through! I love a good thriller/mystery and this one delivers!

3.5* I was super excited for this book because I read the Block Party last year and loved it!! This book is a stormy hotel whodunit and I felt like I could really visualize this hotel based on the writing. This one is a bit slower with a lot of moving parts and I ultimately preferred the Block Party over this book.

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for a copy of this ebook!


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6179376326

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy of this novel.
The book started off strong with a large, old hotel and a maid who is the narrator. It sort of crumbled for me with the introduction of many characters, I felt the author tried to do too much with each character and none of them had any likable qualities….including the narrator. I find it hard to read a story where you aren’t able to really root for anyone. It was an easy read, but I found myself eager for it to be over.

What’s your definition of “One Big Happy Family” for me it’s not not three sisters holding a horrible secret from their past but also things from each other. As the scene unfolds at the reading of their fathers will and people start dying will these women tell the truth or will they continue to cover up their past in hopes of outliving the storm crashing around them and the murderer threatening to kill them for their secrets?

Seems like a dark and stormy night is always a good time to divulge secrets and commit murder! During the middle of a hurricane is even better. I must say that the Bishop family is certainly one messed up bunch! But it makes for a hard to put down story so I guess I can't complain. Props to Charley for hanging on and doing the right thing during this exciting time of the Bishop sisters arriving to read their late father's will which has it's own secrets to reveal. I won't reveal anymore but I did stay up way past my bedtime because I was hooked. The guilty parties get what they deserve and there are some fun rhyming threats and I had fun, even when I guessed part of the mystery (though one death and confession was surprising and funny).

A fun story and I think the Precipice would be a cool hotel to stay at, just not during hurricane season, or a murder spree. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an advance copy of this story to read and review.