Nat Cassidy, once again, shows why he is becoming one of my favorite authors. I absolutely loved this book. That was before I read the afterword. Reading about how his personal life was put into the story really made it feel as if I could connect even more with the story One of the issues the fmc deals with is anxiety. I happen to be reading this story just a few months after having to begin therapy for panic attacks. I didn't realize how much I would love a story that expresses how terrifying life can feel, even if part of the reason is due to your perception.
Panic attacks cannot hurt you, but they sure feel like it.
I loved the writing. It pulls you in and creates a world without going over the top or adding so many distracting descriptions that kill the illusion.
I love that there was both horror and emotion weaved together.
I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next.
highly recommend and love this book.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

Cassidy has great, smart writing… that can also be incredibly dark and gruesome. I REALLY enjoyed this one.

What would you do if your fears came to life? That is really what is showcased here in this book. Our protagonist, Jess is joined by a young boy, scared and running for his life. After a terrifying encounter with the boy’s father, whom he is trying to escape, Jess is only just beginning to understand the depth of mess she is in right now.

Just like in Nat Cassidy’s previous book, Nestlings, this book parallels various horrors and difficult situations with the vulnerability of caring for children. In both books, what the protagonist would do for the love and protection of the child adds such a heartfelt gravity to the stories. That speaks to me.

After running with the boy, trying her best to get him and herself to safety, she discovers they may not be safe anywhere… not when the boy’s fears begin to manifest, creating danger and mortal peril at every turn.

This was just really fun.

Nat did it again! Truly a horror novelist for the ages. When the wolf comes home is the kind of pull-on-your-heartstrings tale that only comes around once in a blue moon. A beautiful blend and homage to the horror stories before him and the lives in which we all need some kind of honor to or closure from— dads.

I cried during the book, but I SOBBED during the afterword. The way Nat Cassidy tells a story speaks directly to my soul. When the Wolf Comes Home is another incredible addition to his catalogue. Horror that makes me feel all of the emotions are my absolute favorite types of stories and this one is at the top of the list. I don’t even know where to start.

The beginning of the story starts out fairly casual, with Nats comedic side shining. Thennnnn things start to go a little sideways. From there, the horror and gore kicks in. And BOY does it keep you on the edge of your seat. Don’t get too comfortable though, because you’ll be crying before you know it. Genuinely, this book made me feel everything and sent me on a nightlong spiral of introspection of how I deal with my fears (and on my dad ha). This is so much more than a monster story.

I just finished this book and I know this one will stick with me for a while. It was incredibly well written and full of disturbing detail/imagery, but it was also emotionally wrenching at times. Author @catnassidy has a unique way with words that allows the story he’s telling to burrow deep into your mind, and When the Wolf Comes Home was no exception.

I had previously read Nat Cassidy's "MARY" prior to investigating this one. This author is slowly turning into someone I am paying attention to. The influence of Stephen King is staggering, but Cassidy has his own voice and style. This novel is surprising, thrilling, and you can't stop turning the pages. This is one that will linger long when it's finished--as it carries an emotional gradient quality that is absent from most mainstream thriller/horror novels. This is one of my favorite reads of 2025 and it should absolutely be picked up!

First off, thank you to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for this ARC.

A much anticipated read, Nat Cassidy's When the Wolf Comes Home delivers. I was a bit worried at first as I didn't really connect with the characters until 25% into the book. Then, the book took a turn, and I buckled in for a roller coaster ride of non-stop action. While I was expecting a more traditional werewolf novel, this book really has more Firestarter/ Institute/ Terminator 2 vibes with a dash of the X Files tossed in (loved this!). I did eventually like our protagonist, although it took some work. The plot moves well, the characters are certainly well developed and entertaining, and it is a fun read! While not at all a traditional horror novel (I am not sure I would classify this novel as horror), I loved it and will be recommending it to everyone.

When the Wolf Comes Home is the first novel I've read by Nat Cassidy and I couldn't put it down!
It's about fear, anxiety and most of all, imagination. I highly recommend this title!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Not what I like personally and I don't see it circulating well among our patron demographic. The writing is overliterary and the dialogue is awkward. I struggled to continue reading when the animated weasels were introduced. An interesting concept but just not my style.

“Who’s the hero in your story?”-1—“What?” He blinks at the non sequitur. 0—“That story you were telling me about. The one where the guy can dream stuff up. Who’s your hero when you think about it? Who do you side with? Who’s right? Is it the guy with the powers, who’s scared of what he’s doing? Or is it the doctor who’s trying to manipulate him?”
As Nat says at the forward/trigger warning of the book:” This is specifically a story about the slippery nature of fear and how important it is to find healthy ways to live with it…” but it also show us what happens when we let that fear rule our lives until our death and how much it affects our loved one.
I absolutely loved this weird werewolf/it/X-Cops novel! I got this book as an arc from netgalley and it was my first time reading Nat’s work. I am beyond in love. This was a couldn’t put down book. I was literally glued to my phone for hours reading whenever and where ever I could. I’m actually disappointed it’s ended. Oh ps it’s not a happy ending read but the end is so satisfying and perfect! If you are looking for a happy ending horror this isn’t the one for you!!
Reminds me a bit of Stephen Chbosky's horror novel
Imaginary Friend (2019) especially in regards to regards to the theme of fear and imagination.
Also reminds me a bit of a few X-files episodes. But specifically the X-files cross over episode with the reality tvshow Cops. In which a werewolf was wrecking havoc and the FBI was called in for back up. Especially the media narratives and local police force response. It also reminds me a bit of Buffy episode in which the little boy was having nightmares in a coma and triggered an event in Sunnydale in which everyone's personal biggest fears came to pass in real life.

I loved his book Mary and this one was pretty good too! This book had me on the edge of my seat at times. This was so different and unique. It’s not your typical werewolf story. It’s creepy and hard to put down! I love his writing and I can’t wait for his next book! I need to go back and read Nestlings now!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ♥

So far I have read nearly everything Nat Cassidy has published, and I have to say I am a fan at this point. When the Wolf Comes Home is a really interesting portrayal of anxiety and fear and how it can run our lives all wrapped up in an action packed monster novel. I found the story both gripping and full of things that prompted introspection. I'm not a fan of kid characters in horror most of the time, and the little boy did wear on me at times, but overall I had a great time reading this book and I absolutely LOVED the ending.

Book: When The Wolf Comes Home
Author: Nat Cassidy
Publisher: Tor Publishing
Pub Date: April 22, 2025

This book was not really what I was expecting and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. This is the first book I have read by this author and it is definitely horror. The boy in the story is running away from his father and Jess wants to protect him at all costs. The boy’s father is literally a monster – I thought he was just going to be a really mean man. I didn’t know he was going to be an actual wolf and he leaves a lot of carnage behind. A lot. This book has rave reviews on NetGalley. It’s accurately described as a classic horror book. The ending is left open ended and deeply unsettling. It has been labeled by some as the most anticipated horror of 2025.

Thank you Tor Publishing and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is April 22, 2025.

WOW!!! This book was not what a I expected. I can't really say what I thought I was getting into but I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and the suspense throughout the whole book. The ending made me a bit sad. I hoped it was going to end differently but I also understand why it had to end the way it did. I had started this book a few weeks ago but put it down to read another book I had. Over the long weekend I decided to read this book. I finished it in one day! That's how good it was. I really loved this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley!

This was a fascinating take on fear and the control it can have on our lives.
This thing takes off at a blistering pace and hardly lets up the whole way through. The scenes described were vivid, the characters were easy to connect with, and the dialogue had me laughing to myself.
This was a fun and easy read for me, both of which I really needed at this time, because I was really slumpin’ pretty hard.

Part 4 and the Afterword were perhaps my favourite parts of this book and what truly brought me out of my slump. The author brings everything together so beautifully. Sharing personal experience of how fear can come about and how it IS possible to overcome it.

This was my first by this author and won’t be my last.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

if nat cassidy writes it, i will read it and love it. nestlings was one of my top 5 reads of 2024 so imagine my excitement seeing “when the wolf comes home.” going into this book, you know its a horror, there’s a missing kid and a werewolf. but this book, it’s so much deeper than that and possibly cassidy’s best book yet.

to start, the horror in this book truly placed me in a 80s slasher movie. the suspense and gore was incredible. the reader can feel and experience each character’s emotion. the horror and fear alone makes this book easy to consume. i seriously enjoyed all of the characters as well no matter how chaotic they were.

but what really makes this book stand out is the element of fear. what is fear to a child? to an adult? how does it grow and change as we get older? fear is our own personal werewolf. as a child, we’re scared of the monsters under the bed and things that bump in the night. as an adult they shape shift into the fear to fail, anxiety, disappointment, things less tangible. but fears nonetheless and the only person capable of conquering them are ourselves.

the other theme is dads and the complex relationships we have with them. their choices and lives shape us into who we are. their care can be harmful, their love can be abandonment. how do you protect? what does it look like? we are not our fathers, but we can see them everywhere we go.

“when the wolf comes home” is equal parts horrific and heart breaking. it may be my favorite read of the year. i honestly cant believe how many times it made me tear up. additionally, the afterword is so worth the read. it actually made me ugly cry. cassidy describes his relationship with his dad and how it impacted him. seriously had me crying i. my car.

i highly recommend this book to anyone and honestly may have to do a reread. it was that good. a big, big thank you to nat cassidy and torfire publishing for sending me an unedited arc. i actually screamed when it came in the mail! “when the wolf comes home” is out april 22, 2025!!

First of all, starting with the content warnings was so perfect! To quote Nat on CW “If you’re a sicko like me, all these do is give you a little preview of what flavors of nasty fun you’re in for..” His humor is so good, he is an author I would love to have a drink with! He always provides some of the best horror books!! This one doesn’t necessarily fit into a box as far as genre, there are parts sci fi, thriller, horror, but I love that it is its own entity! Like when is the last time you cried or were on the verge of tears in a horror novel?? This one pulled on the heart strings! It is so gruesome and graphic like some of the best, old school horror novels, and also emotional and dark. Cookie had to be my favorite character, she provided the most perfectly placed comedic relief! The ending was perfect for me! I would say it’s wrapped nicely in a bow, but it pulls it all together in the most unexpected way that had me wanting to go back and reread to see how I missed so many little things!! Ok, I’m cutting myself off there otherwise I will keep going! I’m recommending to all of my friends already! Can’t wait to see what they think!

An ode to shitty dads, childhood trauma and surrealism. This was a gruesome, wild ride.

Thank you to Netgalley for my arc.

I liked this better than Nestlings! There was a lot to admire about it, the central conceit is brilliant (though the explanation/backstory was weird and unnecessary), the commentary on families, trauma, and becoming your father is sophisticated and interesting. It has the kind of ending characteristic of this author, which was fine!