A political thriller with all the drama, revenge, and secrets one would expect behind the scene in politics. Cleo is unhinged and psycho. She is backed up by a us senator, allowing her to get away with so much more than the average person. The was a twisty book with many moments that left me thinking wtf is wrong with this chick.

Multiple POV's--3 to be exact. Nice short chapters which I love.

Cleo hopes that her undefined relationship with Harris, the son of a U.S. Senator, will finally become official. But their plans are interrupted by a shocking accident. When Harris covers up the crime with the help of his powerful father, Cleo is entrapped into secrecy and loses Harris. Fifteen years later, Cleo is obsessed with getting back the life she lost; she makes an impulsive decision that changes everything. But when things don’t go as she hopes, suspicion and jealousy drive her to increasingly erratic behavior. How far is she willing to go?

RELATED BY BLOOD is a multifaceted thriller about obsession, revenge, and the consequences of going against political figures. Let me start by saying I loathed every character; only Amber, a background filler, gained my affection. Holly sure knows how to develop realistic personalities that get under your skin. Cleo was obsessive and manipulative, while Harris lacked a backbone and depended on Daddy to clean up his messes. I didn’t understand why Cleo was fascinated with this weak man. And don’t get me started on the tragic accident that initially caused them to break up. The lack of humanity sickened me!

Fast forward to unraveling events; Holly weaved each reveal nicely, even if I saw them coming a mile away. Even though this is labeled a thriller, I would consider this more of a family drama instead. The toxicity behind every character was masterfully developed, and I got the gist of everyone’s agenda. While I enjoyed the narrative, I thought the finale ended a little too finely for my taste. I’m impressed with Holly’s first novel and look forward to her next story!

Thank you, @hollysheidenberger, for inviting me to be on your ARC team and for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy of your book!

Fifteen years ago, Cleo and her boyfriend, Harris, were involved in a tragic accident. Harris' dad, a U.S. Senator, covered it up, resulting in Harris breaking things off with Cleo. Now Harris is following in his dad's footsteps and is running for election as a U.S. Congressman, and Cleo wants him back!

This was such a good book, and I never knew which direction it was going to head in. Cleo was unpredictable and a bit unhinged! She was also a huge threat because she had the power to expose the cover-up. Harris was a hot mess as he tried so hard to please his dad while having conflicting feelings about Cleo. All of the secrets, lies, and obsessions made it hard to put this book down! I loved the short chapters, multiple POVs, and twists! I think there is a second book coming, and I can't wait to read it!

While you're waiting for this book to come out, give this author's novelette, The Kinsman, a try! Holly's writing is so good that she is able to cover so much in just 54 pages!

If you are a fan of twisted characters, this is the book for you. Cleo and Harris’s relationship ended after a tragic incident. Many years later Cleo sees Harris and wants him back after never really getting over him. Cleo takes psycho to the next level! This story is a very twisted ride that you can’t help but stay on but you are peaking through closed eyes waiting to see what comes next.

An intense tale of how one mistake can alter your path and how, sometimes, no matter what, you can be redirected back. For better or worse.

Cleo and Harris were blissfully happy until a tragic event (and an dominating father) tore them apart. Now, fifteen years later, they reconnect which sets them on a dangerous path that has the reader wondering if it is worth it. Cleo seems like a strong woman who has it all together then becomes quite erratic with almost mental health issues. (I'm not sure why Harris would even want to be with her given her behaviours). Harris comes across as quite weak so I hope in book two he gets his balls back. And Cleo's poor naive sister, Thalia, gets the raw end of the stick all round.

Told in three POV's and short chapters, there is a lot going on - political power, infidelity, murder, manipulation and cruelty. It was set at a good pace but by about the 80-90% mark, I did struggle to care as things got so out of hand. Everyone became so self absorbed and unlikeable that it slowed my pace in finishing it.

First things first - I need a book safe.
Second - Holly Sheidenberger is a name to keep in mind. Her debut full-length novel has made quite the impression.
Last year, I read her novelette, The Kinsman, and thoroughly enjoyed. And even more now with her book, Related By Blood.
Thank you to @hollysheidenberger for my eARC for feature/review!
Related By Blood is told in multiple POVs, starting with Cleo Tate and Harris Cox 15 years earlier. A tragic road accident leads to a coverup and their breakup.
But Harris running for Congress brings Cleo back into his life, and what follows is a twisty tale of cat and mouse, obsession, and lies.
It's difficult at times to know who is worse, and there are characters we can love to hate.
The ending teases readers with a prequel yet to come, and I personally can't wait!
Recommended!
For release on May 30.

I struggled to get into this storyline. The first few chapters felt heavy on backstory and drama, rather that moving the plot forward. And while the premise is undeniably interesting, the resulting story just wasn't for me. Clearly, other reviewers have responded well to it, so I'm hopeful that it will find its audience.

Harris is following in his father's footsteps and is on the brink of a political career as a US Congressman. The election is nearing and his poll numbers are looking good. He has lived out a careful life, knowing that everything is scrutinized and his father has taught him well. But when the one love from his past comes back into his life, it could upend everything he and his father has worked for. Cleo has only had one true love in her life and with the election coming up, she sees his face everywhere. She could never forget Harris and maybe this is the time to enter his life once again. No matter it has been more than a decade, she knows Harris is the only one for her. Knowing she holds the secret to get Harris back into her life again, Cleo starts putting herself front and center for him and when she starts to get conflicting signals from him, she decides it is all or nothing, she must have him in her life. Questionable decisions are made, and everything is on the line for Harris to get elected. Will Cleo come through for him and prove his father wrong or will his political career end before it has gotten started? This was a fast read from the first page to the last. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

Cleo will stop at nothing to have Harris as her husband. Fifteen years ago something happened to separate them and she never stopped loving him. She becomes more than a bit obsessed with him, nearly going off the rails. She stalks him, breaks into his house, nearly goes insane when she discovers there's another woman in his life. The book could've ended sooner, but the twists and turns kept me reading till the very end. Cleo is determined to not let a fifteen year-old secret come to ruin her happiness. Seems like a sequel in the making since Cleo isn't done yet with Harris' family.

This one drew me in right away. It starts with an extremely traumatic and stressful scene! And it developed from there. I quickly learned that none of the three main characters—the politician, his ex, and her sister—with POVs were very likable. They were all unreliable in their narration and erratic in their actions. But I think that’s the genius of the book! I was engrossed watching them as they slowly spiraled more and more out of control. The political campaign of the main character provided lots of drama and intrigue as well, and did his relationship with his father, the senator. <Spoiler Alert. You’ve been warned.> My only quibble with the book was the ending. It was, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, too happy. I love a happy ending, but I didn’t feel like any character deserved one after all they did! Overall though,I loved the writing and the story was intriguing!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for my review copy.

Related by Blood by Holly Sheidenberger

Thank you Holly and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for a fair and honest review.

This is a great psychological thriller. What struck me is how dark and sinister it seemed from the very beginning. Cleo is so intense and quite frankly terrifying ! Her obsession with Harris actually made me a bit anxious if I’m being honest.

Harris is completely toxic and manipulating and don’t even get me started on Thalia, and Cleo and Thalias relationship. What horrible characters, but it did make for a good read if you like that constant sinking feeling in your stomach and a dread of what happens next.

It put me very much in mind of French books in this vein. Very intense characterisation, full of angst and passion.

Overall a good, dark thriller which I would put in the 4 Star category.

I liked this story, up until I didn’t like this story….which was around the 90% completion mark. There was so much drama and I just kept waiting for something, anything to pop off and give me that “ah ha” twist, but it never happened. This is part one in a series, so I still have very high hopes for that WTF moment.

This was a quick read, it definitely grabs you in and keeps you wondering. I’m looking forward to part two.

This was a fun, fast paced, and addictive thriller. It was a great mix of political intrigue, love story, obsession, and madness. ⁣
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The multiple POVs were great but I found the main characters to be very immature, impulsive, and acting like love sick teenagers instead of grown up professionals. I felt irritated by their personalities and their behaviors but I could not stop reading. ⁣
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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

🩸Have you ever delved into a book where every primary character is despicable, yet you found yourself strangely captivated? Today’s read was precisely that for me.

🩸 Let’s talk about the terrible people in this book: politicians with secrets, a cheating spouse entangled in a web of deceit, and a spurned lover who takes “bizarre” to a whole new level. These characters are the embodiment of everything readers love to hate. And yet, their appalling behaviors kept me turning the pages.

🩸 The plot setup was riveting. I was hooked from the first chapter, eager to learn more. The narrative unfolds through three distinct points of view, offering the perfect balance of perspectives on the unfolding drama.

🩸 But the ending! Abrupt, unexpected—a twist that shocked me. It wasn’t the resolution I’d anticipated (and secretly hoped for), but perhaps that’s the genius of this story. Life rarely ties up neatly; sometimes, it throws curveballs that defy our expectations.

🩸 In this novel, detestable characters collide, secrets unravel, and the pace never relents. I found myself thoroughly engrossed. A unique talent indeed—to make us invested in villains we despise.

Thank you @Netgalley and Mahonia Publishing and the author for an eArc of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

📚 Book Review 📚

Wow! This was full on and pacy from the first page.

Young couple Cleo and Harris are driving along a tree lined highway at night, heading straight towards their future when an unthinkable event occurs. Things will never be the same for them again.

Fast forward fifteen years and their paths cross once more. Their lives have changed but the feelings they have for each other clearly have not.

This is not so much a psychological love story, but a handbook on obsession and control. It was non stop and at points quite scary to be a part of. It was very easy to read, with short chapters which is great for people like me who read before going to sleep and even better for the ‘just one more chapter’ readers! You just want to keep reading.

Cleo is off the hook, Harris needs to live his own life but Thalia?? What on Earth were you thinking??!

I’d like to thank Mahonia Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the arc and the fantastic opportunity, in exchange for my honest feedback 😊

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It sets up with a crime that's covered up and never really goes away, even 15 years later. With a political backdrop—but not left or right; ideally balanced—that raises the stakes of keeping the crime hidden, the tension is strong throughout. Short chapters and consistent action keep the pages turning. I kept waiting for a big twist that didn't come, but it's otherwise a solid psychological thriller.

Those books that you can’t put down, even though it’s a stressful scene, even though you know something is about to happen. This is one of those books.

I enjoyed the Kinsman and was very happy when the author asked if I was interested in reading this book.

One event changes everything for Cleo and Harris. One event sets them each on a path that will forever alter everything.

Obsession, lies, deceit, love and infatuation are all present in this book and I could not put it down.

While the ending wrapped up the immediate questions I had the teaser of the next book has me asking more.

This novel is dark and twisty and definitely gives Fatal Attraction vibes. Holly writes in such a way that you can’t help but keep going to see what secret, what twist is coming next.

I am looking forward to reading Holly’s next book.

Thank you to the author and Mahonia Publishing for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

I was fortunate enough to have read Holly’s novelette The Kinsman and jumped at the chance to read her first full length novel. This was such a gripping domestic noir thriller. I was hooked in immediately and couldn’t put it down, reading it in a couple of settings. I loved the way Holly built up the tension as we counted down to Election Day. I couldn’t wait to see how things played out. I was certainly taken by a few of the twists and didn’t pick the ending.

Told from multiple point of views Harris, Cleo and her sister Tahlia. I admit I found them all fairly unlikeable but it really worked well with storyline. I kept changing my mind with who I wanted to see come out on top. That said, it was mostly the two sisters I wanted to succeed over Harris! I loved all the messy family dynamics and the contrasts between a wealthy, privileged family background and those that have struggled their whole life. It’s always scary to see how powerful people can just make things disappear. A fabulous debut novel, I can’t wait to see what Holly comes up with next.

Thanks to Holly and NetGalley for my copy of Related By Blood. I binge read this in a day!

👉🏻 Cleo and Harris, Harris and Cleo. This is the story of their crazy obsessive past and current relationship. It’s a lot. It’s dark.

Fifteen years ago after a tragic accident Harris and Cleo are separated from each other, not really by choice. Harris has followed in his father’s senator footsteps and running for office. Cleo is still obsessed and just knows he still loves her too. She’s clearly obsessed and headed down a dangerous path. She’ll do what she has to do to get Harris and keep him forever no matter who she hurts.

I enjoyed this dark tale and it was overall a quick and disturbing read. I def want to read more and I’m pretty sure this story isn’t over yet!

Sidenote *Also, I feel dirty after reading this and I’m not sure why. 😂🙈 It’s not necessarily a bad way to feel. 🤷‍♀️

Overall I give it a 3.5-4 star rating as it def wasn’t boring and I did enjoy it!

Thank you Holly Sheidenberger for the ARC!
Pub Date: May 30, 2024

Fifteen years ago, a shocking event changed Cleo and Harris's lives forever. In the present, Cleo still hasn’t recovered from that devastating day. She is yearning to get back the life she lost and makes a bold decision that changes everything. Suspicion and jealousy drive her to increasingly erratic behavior. How far is she willing to go? Soon everyone she knows is entangled in a web of lies and deceit.

The book is told through Cleo, Harris and Cleo's sister, Thalia. Cleo is pretty intense. Think of Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. I didn't particularly like any of the characters but it was a quick read with lots of drama.

Read if you like:
✨dysfunctional families
✨psychological thrillers
✨morally grey characters
✨multi POVs