Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟

One Big Happy Family is about the Bishop sisters coming back to the Precipice, a legendary, family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine, after the passing of their father. They have come back to claim the hotel. But with a hurricane looming and each of the Bishop sisters harboring dangerous secrets, something sinister is brewing and not all will survive.

I loved Day’s previous novel, but this one wasn’t my favorite. I loved the narration, but after many locked room mysteries, this didn’t grab my attention quite as much. Looking forward to her next release!

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Big thanks to NetGalley for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

One Big Happy Family is your typical locked room/inheritance thriller. The owner of a hotel passes and the family comes together for the reading of the will just before a huge hurricane traps them there and people slowly start to die.

The good things about this book...I like that part two gave the back story of the sisters. You get a better idea of them as individuals and the character development was done pretty well. It's hard to have well established behaviors and back stories in thrillers when the reader is expecting and already guessing at what the plot twist will be. Most of the characters stayed consistent with their initial description and those that went through changes were explained properly and realistically.

Unfortunately the bad things about this book outweigh the good. The main character Charlie is just so irritating I couldn't stand it. I just want to read an adult thriller with adult characters that have real adult problems. I felt that Charlie's need to work/steal to support her grandmother was a dead end and useless point in the story. The rhyming nephew, asshole husband, rich privileged daughter, drug addicted daughter, flawless and gorgeous love interest...it is all just too cliché. The back story of the sisters could have been built upon and used in such a better way than it was done in this story.

I think the author had the best of intentions with this book but just went in too many different directions trying to check off all the proper boxes required for the thriller genre.

My biggest complaint that has absolutely nothing to do with the writing or the story is....the audio book narrator. I don't know if they had a cold or were sick but you can hear the congestion in their sinuses and it is really distracting and takes away from the story. This author put a lot of time and effort into this book and as a narrator it is your responsibility to read this story as they would want others to perceive it.

Overall...if you are new to thrillers or really enjoy the locked room trope, pick this one up and read with your own eyes.

Based on all of the elements going into this book I should have loved it, but it never quite became as good as I wanted it to be. I was a little underwhelmed. I liked the premise but the first half of this book dragged. Not much happened and I almost quit listening several times. Certain elements were implausible and it frustrated me. There was a lot of time spent on characters backstories, much of it unnecessary, and it dragged the book down. It did pick up in the second half but even then I wasn’t completely sold. There was a campy element to it that I didn’t love and some of the twists lacked an element of surprise. I’m glad I listened to it on audio because the narration was well done and honestly, it is what got me through it. Not a bad book but there was nothing new or exciting here and a thriller should compel but this book did not. Thank you to @netgalley for an audio arc of this novel.

Another amazing, twisty drama by Jaime Day! I loved the setting in a hotel, the family drama and how the book played out in different parts. I had theories all along but was never able to 100% guess them correctly. Highly recommend!

This was an exciting and suspenseful whodunit set in a great location. I really enjoyed listening to this story unfold! The narration was excellent and this was a really engaging audiobook.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

I could not finish this book. The characters were very unlikable. I was not interested in the story at all after many chapters.

I listened to this audiobook while on vacation at the beach which provided the best location for this wonderful thriller read. The narrator did a fantastic job and the author has a lot of twists and turns which keeps you on your toes. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This locked-room thriller was full of family drama and suspenseful moments. I liked that the drama and creepiness were escalated by Hurricane Harry raging outside during the turn of events. The characters' quirky personalities also added intrigue to the story. The reader never knew what would happen next, what family secret would be revealed, or who had murdered George Bishop because everyone had a motive. I had my suspicions about Bree from the beginning, but the reveal twist at the end was a surprise. The one thing I didn't like about this story was the sisters' backstory chapters. I thought it gave away too much information before the reader needed it revealed. I would have preferred to find out the family secrets at the same time as Charley because it would have added more mystery and shock to the story. Although this wasn't my favorite book by the author, I would still recommend it to readers who love a good thriller!
The audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld was enjoyable to listen to. It was read with lots of animation and expression that added to the suspense of the story. I also liked that each character was given a different voice. It made it easier to determine who was speaking.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Getting stuck in a hotel during a storm with a murderer plays out pretty much how you would expect. Lots of twists and turns, kept me guessing right until the end, and plenty of “just 5 more minutes” moments.

I was excited to listen to "One Big Happy Family" by Jamie Day because I enjoyed their first book "The Block Party." Charley is a maid at The Precipice hotel. The owner of the hotel died and the family has come to discuss the will. Unfortunately , there was a hurricane heading straight towards Maine and the hotel. Soon the power is out, phone lines are cut, and murders start to happen. I found this book to be fairly predictable. I enjoyed the last third of the book where the majority of the action took place, but found myself tuning out during the longer background setting scenes. This was a well written fairly entertaining thriller. That being said, Saskia Maarleveld is a marvelous narrator and one of my favorites! Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio eARc.

I struggle to remember this book because I did not like the narration of it. Overall, I think if I read this book in print I would have enjoyed it, but I didn't really like the audiobook.

This remarkable novel took the world by storm with its multitude of unexpected twists and turns that left my mind reeling.

This book features an exceptional cast of characters. The Bishop sisters, with their very different looks and personalities, create a dynamic presence. Their father's passing and the subsequent reunion at their childhood home provide a powerful backdrop for one of the most enthralling stories I've come across in quite some time.

Normally, I avoid stories with many characters, but in this case, the author pulls it off perfectly. The intricate interweaving of their lives is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Delving into the secrets and surprises nestled within the novel, I have to admit that I was unable to foresee the direction of the plot, despite my usually keen ability to anticipate endings. However, this novel blindsided me with its conclusion in the most extraordinary manner. I adored every aspect of this book, from its vivid setting and well-drawn characters to the absolutely phenomenal storyline. Bravo, Jamie Day! Many thanks to NetGalley for generously providing an advanced copy of the novel.

The dark foreboding cover lends well to this plot and read. Sucked in from the very first page as the events unfurl you can't help but keep diving in.

I could not get into this book after trying a few times over the past few months, I really liked our protagonist, Charley, but even Charley could not get me through this story. I ended up DNFing this book around the 80% mark and listened to the end. I loved the narrator, this was only because I could not get into the story and keep the momentum going. Part one was so slow, I started to skim to just get to where the story starts to take off. Sometimes a slow start pays off, but I did not think it did in this book. Part Two continued to stalls the plot. I didn’t think the sisters back story needed this much time or could have been explained faster and leaving out information would have probably helped me to enjoy the rest of the book more because our hand was held through the plot. I am an over explainer so I get it but I dont enjoy it in mystery books. Overall, I didn’t love the story but I did love Charley and the narrator!

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day

So I loved The Block Party and was super excited to receive this as an ARC through Netgalley…it’s been out for over a month now.

It’s a fun “whodunnit” thriller!

Family together after a recent death, in a hotel, storm has them stranded. Marks all the great beginnings of a thriller.

I honestly think I would have gotten into it more if I physically read it.

I couldn’t get as pulled into this one as usual, I found it predictable and repetitive, but still worth reading!

⭐️⭐️ out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was the perfect summer thriller! I really loved this action packed thrillers with twists that gave me whiplash!

🎧 One Big Happy Family-a standalone

✍️ By: Jamie Day-new to me author

🗣️ Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld voiced all characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Charley, Bree, and Rodrigo. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the E-book and audiobook.

📃 Page Count: 384

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 11:12

🗓️ Publication Date: 7-16-24 | Read: 8-23-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC and ALC 💙! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Thriller

🌏Setting: Jonesport, Maine

Tropes:
❤️family drama
❤️small town
❤️hidden truths
❤️LGBTQIA+ rep


⚠️ TW: child abuse, DV, murder-death of parent, foster care

POV: 1st person- Charley

💭 Summary 💭:
The Precipice is a family-owned hotel by George Bishop who recently died. His three daughters Iris, Vicki, and Faith have come for their share. Hurricane Larry is coming and the Bishop sisters are holding onto some deadly secrets, but the nineteen-year-old maid Charley Kelley who knows more than meets the eye.


Side cast: Bree-a woman on the run Charley gives sanctuary to at the hotel, Rodrigo-works at the hotel and is Charley's friend, Hope-Faith's wife, Oliver-Faith and Hope's son, Todd-Vicki's husband and Quinn-Iris's son

My Thoughts: This was a great murder mystery with many layers. There's our narrator Charley, a maid and thief who knew what kind of man George Bishop was. She sacrificed for her grandmother Nana who lived in assisted living. She was nice to Bree-a stranger in need but dreaded the Bishop sisters' arrivals. Each of them had their own agenda and wanted their inheritance. They were greedy and willing to kill to get what they wanted. It reminded me of King Lear and his three daughters. I'm glad they made amends (kind of), especially for Charley and her Nana.

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 1/5
🎧: Narration 4/5
😭: Emotion 4/5
❤️: Couple n/a
⭐️: Rating 4/5

Colorful Adirondack chairs will always catch my eye so I admit I would have probably selected this book regardless of the premise or author. After loving Jamie Day’s last book, The Block Party, and these pastel beachside chairs (empty because of course that storm is rapidly rolling in) on the cover, I knew I wanted to read One Big Happy Family. A great setting, a locked room format, and a complicated ending make this an engaging read.

The teaser doesn’t fully capture the essence of the book, which to me is the main character, Charley. Everyone else can be messy, horrible, mysterious, or pretentious—but Charley is the driving force of this book. I immediately liked Charley, who works as a maid at the Precipice Hotel. The hotel is old, charming, and legendary. Her job allows Charley to scrape by helping to pay for her grandmother’s care while Charley lives in a converted storage closet at the Precipice. When she was offered room and board by the now-deceased owner George Bishop, she felt lucky. Now she realizes that she is trapped.

Charley’s backstory is heartbreaking—a father who she’s never met and who abused her mother, prompting her to move back home. A mother who wanted to escape life and eventually became addicted to drugs. An overdose. A nana who is in the early stages of alzheimers with no one to care for her costs but Charley—a nineteen year-old chambermaid. You can’t not feel for Charley!

As the book opens, hurricane Larry is bearing down on the hotel, and guests are cancelling right and left. The hotel isn’t empty, though. It’s about to be so full of drama your head will spin. And that drama comes from the children of the late George Bishop, who are gathered to hear the reading of his will. Which of the Bishop sisters is the worst? I’d probably choose Vicki or Faith, but they are all awful. Vicki is the eldest and owns a jewelry story. She’s married to a greedy, pompous man named Todd. Iris is the middle sister and a recovering drug addict and ex-con. She’s now found religion. The youngest, Faith, is a former model who loves being in the spotlight, and her wife Hope is an earth-mother type. Vicki’s adult son Quinn attracts Charley’s attention. Meanwhile Faith’s son Oliver seems withdrawn.

A woman Charley met a week earlier arrives seeking shelter. She’s fleeing an abusive relationship and needs a place to stay where he can’t track her credit card. She offers Charley cash, which she is in desperate need of after her Nana’s rent went up. Charley agrees to hide Bree in one of the rooms, but she knows if Vicki and Todd catch her, she will be out of a job. Surely they’ll be too self-absorbed to notice, right?

As you can guess with a book describing a happy family in a sarcastic tone, the gathering and the will reading do not go as planned. The attorney Brenda Black is slimy and apparently has a troubling past with perpetuating racial bias in the courtroom. Rodrigo refuses to work the weekend, and with the cook Olga quitting, Charley is going to be left with the drama of the Bishop family (and her stowaway Bree). Vicki comes out the best with the will. Iris and Faith are not happy with their father’s last wishes.

It's the beginning of a weekend filled with secrets and murder. Cell reception is spotty, the hurricane has trapped them inside, and someone (or more than one) is out for blood. The number of hidden tidbits from the Bishop’s past had my head spinning. Charley has a front row seat to the meltdown of the sisters. Can she survive the weekend? It seems someone wants to quiet her for good.

I loved the setting and I thought Charley was a fantastic leading character. The Bishop family was so toxic, but well-written. The sisters have their own troubling pasts that make them somewhat sympathetic, despite their current behavior. The short chapters kept the book moving. I didn’t like this as much as The Block Party, but I thought it was solid and it kept me entertained. The second half dragged on a bit, but the ending made up for that.

The audiobook is great and helped with the pacing. I will definitely read whatever Jamie Day writes next!

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my copy. Opinions are my own.

This audiobook was hard for me to get into. It was giving beach read for sure and something that my aunt would very much like but I was not enthralled.

I want to start off by saying I have read Jamie Day's previous book The Block Party so much that I was excited to get my hands on a copy of her second book. I found this one to be a bit less thrilling that her first, however. While I did think the premise for the book had a lot of promise- with the locked door murder mystery of it all, it fell very flat for me. I kept coming back because I wanted to see how it ended, but I felt like the story telling wasn't as suspenseful or entertaining as I wish it would be. There were times in the book I actually rolled my eyes because of the actions of our main protagonist Charley. The pacing felt slightly off, with some of the book dragging on and other parts passing at light speed, and I just left wanting a bit more. That being said, it was an entertaining way to spend the day listening to this book. The narrator did a great job telling the story, and I appreciated all their voice work. Therefore, while it felt a bit mid-tier for me, if you're a reader who enjoys locked door situations and a little bit of whodunnit, this might just be the book for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.