Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke is an absolute page turner that will have you hooked from the very beginning!

Cracks in Cath and Gary's relationship start to show when Gary's estranged sister Lisa moves in with them. In the beginning things seem pretty normal but then Gary starts to act distant and standoffish, leaving the room whenever Lisa appears. Now hidden secrets are being exposed and Cath begins to question Gary's motivations. But does Cath have something to hide as well? And what is really going on with Lisa?

This was definitely a quick and easy domestic thriller!! The twists and turns throughout really kept me engaged and the tension between the characters was intense. Fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries will definitely want to read this novel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Wendy Clarke, and Bookouture for this ARC. Release day is March 5th 2025.

Katherine is well liked English teacher at her school & is looking to climb the ladder for a new position. Yet once a TA enters the picture all things around Katherine starts falling apart. Even though drama is continuing to unfold she is still trying to get the best and protect her students & doesn’t know who to trust. I really enjoyed trying to figure out who was out to get Katherine & the twists that came about. It was not the most surprising twists or groundbreaking but a fun thriller to read. Thankful for my complimentary copy for a honest review.

A fast paced, highly gripping book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn't read it fast enough. From the get go, I suspected the sister of something sinister and as the book progressed, I was trying to piece together all of the "coincidences'. A true whodunit and I didn't trust anyone! I really felt the sibling connection and love for her brother Aled and the survivors guilt she felt. I highly recommend this book to anyone craving a fast paced twisty book. I enjoyed this book so much I even listened to the Audiobook version which added even more character with the wonderful narrators voice.

Ha! I have to say the synopsis of the book doesn’t begin to describe it. Catherine is constantly suspecting the people around her and with good reason! They all seem to have a secret. If you try to predict the ending, well, whoever you pick as the devious one, you’ll be right. It was fun to unfold the story.

Was enjoyable from the start with what I thought was a predictable plot but boy, was I wrong!
It did keep me engaged throughout but wasn’t so much of a page turner as I had hoped.
Well written, with characters that you could invest in.
Look forward to reading g more from this author.
Thanks to netgalley and bookature for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a twisted and wild ride . I hadn’t read this Author before but will definitely read her again . The pace of the book was what kept me lured in , a real page turner .

Cath is a rising star at school. English teacher who can inspire every student, loved by her colleagues. But then at the addition of one new sixth former , everything turns sour for this teacher – related or coincidence??

As the story went on, my initial gut feel for the person messing with Cath waived and switched and I started to doubt all around her. Even those who only made brief appearances. Who was messing with Cath? She seems such a nice person !

I really felt for Cath. She could see things falling apart around her but all she wants to do is her best for her students. What more would you want from a teacher? Her determination to help Jake is admirable despite his reluctance which is so frustrating from a bright child. But is that enough?

This is my first taster of Wendy Clarke’s writing but it won’t be the last. She kept my mind on its toes. Her characters were believable feeling like they’re people I would encounter in real life. If you fancy a psych-thriller to read, you can’t go wrong with Make Yourself At Home.

The writing of this book was suspenseful and the chapters ended on cliffhangers making me want to read more. Towards the end it did hit kind of a lull but I’m so glad it gave us a definite ending.

Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Clarke, & Bookouture for the ARC!

A really enjoyable read which exceeded my expectations. My first book by Wendy Clarke and definitely won't be the last.

Throughout the book, it feels like all the characters are withholding their own secret and this kept the suspense flowing through the chapters.

I did feel there were some loose ends that were not completely tied up at the end, but overall this did not take away the fact that I really enjoyed the book.

A good, quick, easy read with short chapters (the best!) so easy to keep thinking...just one more chapter.

Looking forward to more reads from Wendy Clarke

Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke is a psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unsettling exploration of trust, family secrets, and hidden motives. The story revolves around the seemingly perfect marriage of the protagonist and her husband, Gary. Their life together is characterized by sweet gestures and a picture-perfect facade—until his sister, Lisa, moves in.

The tension slowly builds as Lisa’s arrival forces cracks to appear in the protagonist's idyllic life. Gary, once attentive and present, begins to withdraw, spending more time at the office and avoiding interactions with his wife. Instead, he seems to have an increasingly strange relationship with Lisa, and the more the protagonist uncovers about their past, the more unsettling the situation becomes. Lisa, with her cryptic whispers and mysterious behavior, casts doubt on the man the protagonist thought she knew inside and out.

Clarke’s writing draws the reader in with its sense of slow-building dread, making the tension palpable as the narrator’s trust begins to erode. The subtle shifts in Gary's behavior, combined with Lisa's cryptic remarks and the protagonist's growing sense of unease, create a compelling atmosphere of suspense. The plot takes unexpected turns, with each reveal heightening the stakes and further blurring the lines between trust and paranoia.

At its heart, Make Yourself at Home is about the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love—and the dangerous consequences of buried secrets coming to light. The narrator’s fight to maintain control of her perfect life is both gripping and relatable, making her eventual descent into unraveling both fascinating and chilling. Wendy Clarke has created a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller that keeps readers questioning who is truly trustworthy and what is real.

For fans of domestic thrillers with intricate character dynamics and unexpected twists, this book delivers in spades.

Entertaining and intriguing. I enjoyed the different plot twists throughout the book and the feeling that each character was keeping their own secret. I had a theory about a quarter of the way in and I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. There’s something delightful about a book that can fool you!

While the pacing was a bit slower than I typically prefer, and I wished for a bit more depth in some areas, these aspects didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. The book still managed to deliver some fantastic surprises and keep me engaged. If you’re looking for a fun, twisty read, this one is definitely worth checking out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest review.

Cath and Gary's marriage is going along well until Lisa shows up at their door, claiming to be Gary's sister. Lisa moves in and things between Cath and Gary change. Gary becomes distant and is rude to Lisa. Lisa and Cath already worked together at the school, so the two become closer. Lisa raises questions about Gary to Cath, telling her she shouldn't trust Gary. Things take a turn when someone begins bringing up Cath's past secrets. Is Lisa right that she shouldn't trust Gary? Or is it Lisa with something to hide?

I did really enjoy this book but it was very predictable; There were not many options to choose from in terms of who was behind things, so it was pretty easy to guess; It is a quick and easy read but I think it could have been a bit more fulfilling - we really don't get much depth here. Probably a good one for those new to thrillers. For those thriller-obsessed readers like myself, you will find this one falls flat. However, it is still a fun read and I enjoyed it.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very nice and easy domestic thriller to read. It had great plot twists I did not see coming! I loved the ending most because Wendy Clarke left noose ends.

Great storyline. I was so sure Lisa was the other women - what a surprise and great twist at the end.

Make Yourself at Home is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the tension and secrets within a seemingly perfect marriage. The story follows a woman who begins to notice the cracks in her relationship with her husband, Gary, after his sister, Lisa, moves in. At first, everything seems normal—until Gary starts acting distant, and the dynamics between the siblings become increasingly strange. Lisa’s arrival in their home brings more than just family drama—it forces hidden secrets to the surface, leaving the protagonist questioning everything she once believed about her husband. The atmosphere of suspense is palpable, and the twists and turns in the narrative kept the reader engaged. The tension between the characters was well-crafted, though some parts of the story could have used a bit more development. Still, the book excels in its ability to keep the reader on edge, and the final reveal adds a satisfying punch. Overall, it’s a solid four-star read for those who enjoy family thrillers filled with mystery and intrigue.

Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke is a gripping mystery/thriller that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The story unfolds with an air of suspense, gradually building tension until the shocking revelation of who is behind everything. Clarke masterfully constructs an intricate plot, drawing readers into a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected twists that leave them speechless.

One of the strongest aspects of this novel is Clarke’s ability to build suspense and mislead the reader, only to deliver a surprising and satisfying payoff. The pacing is well-executed, ensuring that every chapter contributes to the overarching mystery while keeping the reader engaged. Her writing style is immersive, with well-developed characters and a setting that enhances the eerie and unsettling tone of the story.

The novel excels in its unpredictability, making it a standout in the genre. Just when you think you have it figured out, Clarke throws in another twist that turns everything upside down. Fans of psychological thrillers and intricate mysteries will appreciate the way the narrative unfolds. If you enjoy a thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end, Make Yourself at Home is a must-read. Wendy Clarke has proven herself as a master of suspense, and this book leaves readers eager to explore more of her work.

ARC from NetGalley
Make Yourself at Home is a fast-paced thriller centered on domestic secrets, unreliable relationships, family drama, hidden pasts, and marital distrust.

when Cathrine's estranged sister in law Lisa moves in strange things start happing to Cath , her husband is keeping secrets from her and something doesn't seem right with Lisa

this book started out slow but picked up a couple chapters in , i thought i had figured out the twist but i was wrong. overall an enjoyable read

I Couldn't put this book down at all. I was hooked from the first pages.

I was literally on a rollercoaster all the way long, with all the twists in this book.

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Make Yourself At Home is the latest chilling psychological thriller from popular UK author Wendy Clarke.
A spine tingling, addictive and fast paced read.
Catherine and her husband Gary, lead a blissful life.
She is very happy in her job and the couple have no children.
In Catherine’s work space as a teacher, she is a mentor to Lisa.
Then Lisa becomes homeless and is sleeping at the school.
When Catherine finds out, she offers her spare room until Lisa gets on her feet.
But as they arrive at the couples house, a shock awaits.
Lisa is actually Gary’s half sister.
And Gary doesn’t want her around.
Strange happenings begin and who is to blame?
Then things take a sinister turn…..
Trust no one….
Fans of domestic dramas and clever thrillers, will gobble this up.
I was fully invested and rushed through as I had to find out the truth.
A secret filled, engaging and sneaky book.

It’s not often you pick up a book that feels heavy and oppressive but Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke did that to me. The prologue written to raise tension and heartbeat that for me didn’t drop for most of the book.

The prologue at odds with the first chapter where we meet Catherine and she describes her relationship with husband Gary - pretty damn perfect in her eyes by all accounts but the words on the pages hint at this possibly being a veneer, how hard to crack would be found out soon enough!

This book moved at a terrific pace, that made me feel a little bit anxious, finding myself reading faster to get past the multiple plot twist - some that didn’t even appear relevant until the end. So many hints and clues dropped like confetti but impossible to catch. Imagine finding out after ten years of marriage that your husband had a sister, a person you’d tucked under your wing - supporting her in her new teaching role and offering her somewhere to stay whilst she found a place for herself when you discovered she was homeless.

This is a book that won’t fail to touch your heart, it will make you gasp and bite hard on your back teeth with the tension, the sheer emotion leaps from the pages with Catherine and Gary’s lives teetering on the edge, when past meets present. When actions are driven by emotion and that emotion is fear and with revenge anything is possible. I'm sure I stopped breathing several times as I read Make Yourself at Home - a title that speaks comfort, happiness and welcoming that proves to be anything but, it is gritty and unexpectedly perfect for the emotions and feelings evoked for both the characters and readers alike.

I highly recommend this adrenalin filled book