This is very slow to get going and the pace continues to be sluggish throughout. However, Joyce is very adept at creating interesting characters and studying the way these siblings relate to one another. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce.

This book blew me away.

Exquisitely written. Heartbreaking. I'm already rereading it.

Rachel Joyce portrays difficult family dynamics really well in this. The Homemade God is the story of four siblings—Netta, Susan, Goose, and Iris—and their relationship with their eccentric artist father, Vic. When Vic suddenly announces he's marrying the mysterious Bella-Mae, a woman younger than his youngest child, and suddenly dies a few months later, everything begins to fall apart. The siblings must travel to the Italian villa in which they grew up and try to manage after their father's death, which uncovers more than just the ugly truth about the kind of person their father actually was, but the ugly truth's about themselves. Without their father, they don't know who they are to each other, but most importantly, to themselves. This story is a great portrayal of the way familial relationships impact one's identity, as well as how you can carry so much from your childhood into your adulthood. I was invested the entire time and couldn't believe how each character seemed to make bad decision after bad decision. Joyce does characterization very well. I will say though that I did not feel as emotionally connected to the characters and felt that the ending was a bit anti-climactic given all the buildup with Bella-Mae and the storyline. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it for those who love reading stories about family dynamics!

Thank you to the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Homemade God is a tender and emotionally propulsive family drama about four siblings - Netta, Susan, Goose, and Iris - grappling with the sudden death of their semi-famous father, Vic. They come together in Lake Orta, Italy where they must not only confront his late wife, Bella Mae, who was fifty years his junior, but also face the truth about his art, his legacy, and the unrealized wounds he's inflicted on them all. They spend the summer suspended in a sort of waiting game where they have to await his autopsy results as well as navigate the fractures that are being exposed in their close-knit family dynamic. It is both a book of bonding and a book of unraveling.

I am always drawn in by stories about family relationships, and I appreciated the intricate complexity with which Rachel Joyce paid to her quadrant of siblings, for they were equal parts close and distant, connected and disconnected, and loved completely but not always understood. I liked being along for their journey of grief and self-discovery, painful though it could be at times. Accusations became pointed and turned ugly. Secrets were revealed that lead to shock and distrust. And hurt feelings led to sibling estrangement but also to an opportunity for them all to cut restrictive tethers and be free to be a different version of themselves.

It was not a happy story per se, but a harrowingly realistic one. It's the kind that leaves you grasping at how to cleave then mend the gap of siblinghood in your own life.

Worth a gander! 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This free reviewers copy from Net gallery was highly anticipated by me. I have read most of Rachel Joyce's books and really enjoyed all of them. Miss Benson's Beetle is an absolute favorite of mine. I have been reading The Homemade God for a long time because I just don't look forward to reading it, so it is taking a really long time to read. I am now at 30% read and have decided I can't go any further.
The book about 4 siblings goes no where for 27% and finally when the dad, a very unlikable figure is found dead things seem to start happening. Perhaps the book is more exciting after the first quarter but you have already lost me.

Rachel Joyce’s “A Homemade God” is a gripping tale of four siblings, their father, and his younger wife. Tragedy strikes when the father dies, and the siblings gather at their rundown villa on an Italian island. Trust is shattered, and they drift apart. This darkly humorous mystery explores complex family themes. It’s a heartfelt read about love, grief, and family.

After their father dies, four siblings gather in Europe. They can not find his final painting and and his recently married much younger wife is there as well. Family drama comes out in full force here. The setting of this book was prefect, the writing and tension was so strong, and the characters are complex. This book was terrific!

This book is about 4 siblings and their father and what happens when the siblings, who have competed their whole lives for his love and attention, find out he is getting married to a much younger woman he met 6 weeks previously. I loved the premise and it definitely had some good moments. But overall, even though the writing is strong, the characters were so dysfunctional that I could not relate to any of them or care about how they were feeling or even like any of them. It feels like reading a book about characters rather than a book about people. I did enjoy the way she wrapped it up at the end. Rachel Joyce is such a talented writer though that I’m going to seek out some of her older titles to see if this book is an anomaly, character wise.

This was an interesting read. While most families have some level of disfunction, the Kemps took it to a whole new level. Vic’s children have created a homemade god of their father. Each desperately seeking his approval and living in the pecking order they have been relegated to. Despite this, the kids were all very close until Vic dies suddenly. With their family bond broken, they spend many years not communicating. Unfortunately the man they thought their Dad was wasn’t near the reality. While not communicating, they all finally grow into themselves and the joys in their lives that were missing. A beautiful story with descriptive imagery and well developed characters.

I just became an even bigger fan of Rachel Joyce! This book was such a gift. Four adult siblings learn a lot about themselves as they uncover the mystery of their father. It was equally plot and character driven, humorous at times, powerful, and atmospheric. Most likely one of my favorite books of the year already!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Overall I liked the premise of the story. Four siblings dealing with the sudden marriage of their dad to someone very young and then his suspicious death and the fallout that comes from that.

There is SO much disfunction in this family and I found it really hard to like any of the characters. That was probably the author's goal with this story as it is all about conflict. She did a great job of making me despise all of the siblings!

I would have enjoyed this more if everyone was a suspect in his death. A murder mystery rather than a family drama. I did not like any of the characters anyhow so thinking any of them could have murdered their dad would have worked for me. I really did enjoy the ending of this one and seeing things from Bella's point of view.

As usual, the author did a great job with details. I felt like I was in the house, on the island and looking at the lake.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book. If you love family drama and offensive characters this is the book for you!

This was my first Rachel Joyce novel, and I was blown away by the honesty, quality, and sheer readability. On the surface, it's the story of a mercurial father and the four children kept in his thrall into adulthood, but it is much more than that (as if that were not enough!) Artist Vic Kemp has made an excellent living with his suggestive paintings of men and women. He's in his late 70s when he announces to his children that he is going to marry a 27-year-old he met online. The mysterious Bella-Mae is also an artist, and somehow he never manages to introduce her to his children--she's always somewhere else, or doesn't show up. Of course, they will finally meet under the most difficult circumstances.

I can't tell you how gripping this story is. Each one of the adult children are so well limned that they could carry their own book, and Vic and Bella-Mae could do the same. The question of what is art and who is an artist weaves throughout the narrative with surprising results.

"The Homemade God" is a wonderful book. Many, many thanks to Dial Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review. Honestly? This novel is terrific.

I loved this book! A beautiful investigation of family and connection, of love and art and Italy. I loved the ensemble cast, and the way we discover how these siblings interact, and how they cope with grief and a most unusual upbringing. It reads almost like a thriller as we hurtle toward the dramatic events that will change the siblings' lives forever. But the depth of character, the atmosphere of the setting, and the gorgeous exploration of how and why we make art, and what we love about it elevates this book into something memorable and transformative.

I took too long after reading to write this review so now I’ve forgotten the details I wanted to mention, but I still remember how all-consuming this book was, and I just loved it. Complicated siblings, imperfect parents, it was just all so good.

As a bookstore owner, I’m always on the lookout for thrillers that will grab readers' attention, and Lisa Unger’s latest certainly delivers on suspense. While the premise leans heavily into modern influencer culture—something that may appeal more to younger audiences—it still offers enough mystery, atmosphere, and high-stakes tension to keep any thriller fan engaged.

Adele, Blake, and Violet are dealing with an overwhelming personal and financial crisis. Adele’s husband vanished over a year ago, taking with him not only their financial stability but millions in stolen money, leaving her to fend off the FBI and a mountain of debt. Just when it seems there’s no way out, Blake presents her with a last-ditch opportunity: a live-streamed, high-stakes game of hide-and-seek hosted by Maverick, a wildly popular WeWatch influencer. The last person found wins a million dollars.

Maverick has built an empire on viral challenges and jaw-dropping stunts, but behind the scenes, his company isn’t as stable as it seems. This latest game, set on a storm-ravaged, eerie island, is meant to be his next big spectacle—but things quickly spiral out of control. With a murder, a growing sense of paranoia, and the ever-present question of what’s real and what’s for the camera, the story unfolds at a breathless pace.

I found myself completely engrossed in the tension and pacing, and I appreciated the eerie, cinematic setting. However, I did struggle at times with the premise. The influencer culture aspect, while timely, may feel a bit over-the-top for readers who don’t follow that world. And the idea of a mother willingly risking her life in an internet challenge for money was a stretch. That said, if you can suspend some disbelief, the thriller elements more than make up for it.

Overall, this was a fast, fun, and unsettling read—perfect for fans of modern suspense with a digital-age twist. ★★★★☆

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance copy—I’ll definitely be recommending this to readers looking for a high-energy, eerie thriller.

The Homemade God follows four English siblings—Netta, Susan, Gustav “Goose,” and Iris—who, now between the ages of 33 and 40, return to their childhood summer retreat, an Italian villa on Lake Orta, to navigate the aftermath of their father’s death. Vic, a semi-famous painter, drowned under somewhat suspicious circumstances shortly after marrying Bella-Mae, an artist nearly 50 years his junior—making her younger than all four of his children. Having lost their mother when they were children, the siblings are left to grapple not only with their father’s passing but also with the complex legacy of their fractured family.

What initially drew me to this book was its focus on the relationships between the siblings. I found this refreshing, as many novels featuring characters in this age range tend to center primarily on romantic relationships and/or parenthood. While the siblings’ romantic entanglements are present, they serve more as a lens through which their childhood, their father’s influence, and their connections to each other are explored, rather than as the primary focus of the story.

However, the execution of these dynamics fell somewhat flat for me. The siblings' reactions to certain events—such as their confrontations and emotional outbursts—often felt so heightened that they strained believability. Additionally, there is a moment where one of the female siblings is described as ugly, which I found off-putting—regardless of whether it was meant to reflect a sibling’s internal thoughts or harsh judgments.
Bella-Mae’s character, in particular, felt underdeveloped. I understand that she was meant to be enigmatic and detached, but the resolution of her arc didn’t fully justify her actions in a way that felt satisfying. I also felt the novel’s final chapter was a bit too heavy-handed, making its message less impactful than it could have been.

That said, Joyce’s writing is strong, and the story was engaging enough to keep me reading until the end. I also appreciated the inclusion of queer representation. While the themes didn’t resonate with me on a deeper level, and I don’t see myself revisiting the book in the future, I still found it a worthwhile read.

Final rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press (an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House) for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Four siblings reunite after their father's sudden death. Prior to his death, he had married a much younger womam to the dismay of his children. Talk about a dysfunctional family, this one is definitely one! Fighting over everything; who was his favoite child, what happened to his art work, who would inherit what was all covered in this novel.. I had a hard time with this book, I finished it but I will not be recommending it.

God, where to begin with this book? For starters, i LOVE families behaving badly and there is no shortage of that in this novel. That being said, the book surprised me and I think it's going to keep me thinking for a long time. What I was expecting to be more comical was much more thought-provoking - sometimes hopeful but in many ways bleak. Families are complicated ecosystems and this book is very illustrative of the phrase, "we hurt the ones we love the most." Joyce does an absolutely stunning job of creating vibrant, rich, deeply flawed and vulnerable characters. She sets up, what I was expecting to be a riveting mystery, but in the end what we see is a pressure cooker exploding with self-realizations and characters who come to learn some very hard truths. Absolutely in love with the character Gustav and I'm so thrilled with the way the novel ended. Go in with no expectations - this one is very disarming and surprising.

Rachel Joyce is simply marvelous, and for me, the latest novel was a cut above the rest. While her books always have a sense of humor and joy about them, I found this one to be a serious crack at literary fiction, and she passed with flying colors. The characters and family dynamics between Vic and all the children is so nuanced, fragile, real, and multi-layered. The descriptions of the island were both suspenseful, as well as hypnotic--the novel has something for everyone, and is a powerful read about the complex human condition.

Four siblings with an unhealthy attachment and reverence for their father are shocked when he suddenly marries a much younger woman and dies soon after. They are determined to find out what really happened to him, and even more determined to find the masterpiece painting he assured them he was working on…

Overall, this is an uneven yet interesting read. I struggled with the adult siblings’ reliance on and obsession with their father and was glad I kept going as the shift in perspective and conclusion is satisfying. I somehow found myself rooting for Bella-Mae and for Goose! I think readers looking for an inventive family drama full of dysfunctional characters may enjoy.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.