This is an extremely compelling, vivid, and heart-wrenching novel about what happens when you can manifest your fears and other mental states into the real world. A struggling actress gets paired with a little boy on the run from just such a situation; chased by fantastical wolf-like beasts and that's just the start. It's gut-wrenching the choices people have to make given this military experiment gone awry; and also flaked with great levity from the woman's relationship with her mom, Cookie - named not for sweetness but for making her adversaries crumble, and dragged away from bridge night from some interesting investigations. This is a great book for scares and feels, with rich characters and great dialog.

NOT ME CRYING?? 😩 Okay this is now my favorite horror novel I've read so far this year. (I listened to an advanced audiobook version and it was fantastic, super well done.) It starts off with a bang and doesn't let up the entire time. The plot is fast-paced, emotional, scary as hell, and oftentimes laugh out loud funny. Idk how he does it. I'll never skip a Nat Cassidy book for as long as I live and neither should you.

"It's okay, kiddo. Baby steps, right? You can only eat the pizza one slice at a time."

Some books shake you. Some books wreck you. And then there’s When the Wolf Comes Home - a novel that doesn’t just break your heart; it rips it out, chews it up, and leaves you emotionally numb in the best way possible. I didn’t just read this book - I survived it. And in 2025, I genuinely don’t know how anything else is going to top this experience.

This story had me deep in my feelings, ugly crying, and staring blankly at the wall after finishing. Only two other books have destroyed me like this - Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter and Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. And now? When the Wolf Comes Home proudly takes its place on that shelf of beautiful devastation.

From page one, this book runs. No filler, no fluff - just a full-throttle, no-holds-barred emotional horror story that grips you and refuses to let go. A third of the way through, I kept thinking, “How does Nat Cassidy still have more story to tell?” And yet, he does. Challenge accepted, indeed. He poured his whole soul into this book, and it shows.

The story follows Jessa, a once-aspiring actress in Hollywood now stuck working at a diner, trying (and failing) to process the death of the father who walked out on her as a child. After a brutal shift and a medical emergency, she’s spiraling into full dissociation mode - until she stumbles upon a little boy in danger near her home. Taking him in should have been simple. It isn’t. Because the next thing she knows, there’s a bear attack (*cough* werewolf *cough*), people are dying horrifically, and Jessa and the boy barely escape with their lives. But survival is only the beginning. As the two go on the run, Jessa starts to realize the boy isn’t just some lost child - and the monstrous thing chasing them may be his father.

That’s all I’ll say about the plot, because this book is best experienced blind. But trust me when I say it explores themes of good vs. evil, survival, trauma, complicated parent-child relationships, and the messy, brutal process of grief and healing. It’s a masterclass in emotional horror - layered, gut-wrenching, and utterly unforgettable.

Nat Cassidy outdid himself with this one. If you love horror that hurts, this is a must-read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the ARC!

I had no idea what to expect when I started this book, and I love how this one surprised me. This was such a fun listen. Don't get me wrong; it was also a little stressful and jaw-dropping, but still fun in an I love to wet myself in haunted houses type way!

I love it when a story makes me question things I've accepted as normal. This one had me thinking incessantly about fear and what we absorb as kids. Horror movies, "family-friendly" stuff like Gremlins or Roger Rabbit. Why were we allowed to watch that?! As someone who was left traumatized by E.T., I could relate on so many levels while questioning if I am the way I am because of those seemingly insignificant traumas. I'm also guessing those things paved the path that has me reading a book like this, though, so can I be mad?

There were very few slow moments in this novel. It is fast-paced, bloody, and chaotic, but it also makes you sit with big, uncomfortable stuff like fear, grief, messed-up dads, what our government is doing that we know nothing about, and the weird things we carry from childhood. And then the Afterword? Ugh. That sealed it for me. I'm fully invested in Nat Cassidy's brain and want to read everything he's ever written. He seems like a real one.

So yeah, 10/10. I would recommend it if you like horror that actually says something while also maybe giving you a reason to leave the lights on at night.

ALC Review

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Release date: April 22, 2025
Narrator: Helen Laser, Nat Cassidy

Okay, first off that cover. 🤩Absolutely stunning. It pulled me in immediately. I went into this book completely blind, just knowing that Nat Cassidy writes amazing horror, and WOW. This book did not disappoint!

This book was wild in the best way possible. I listened to the audiobook and it made the whole experience even better. The story was creepy, intense, and made me shed some tears.

Man this was such a fun book! The blending of horror and fairytales was so well done! But why was I crying?! 😆

I loved the whole concept of this book. I won’t go into detail so I don’t reveal any spoilers (though you find out early on), but somehow this gory book turns heartwarming and then heartbreaking all at once. The FMC was so relatable to me (hello anxiety, self-doubt and spiraling thoughts!) and even her reactions to the five-year-old MMC were relatable.

After finishing this book, I already loved it. But then the author’s note comes, and that definitely sealed the deal for me. I honestly want to say so much more, so if you’ve read this, I’d love to chat about it with you!

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Fans of horror, dark fairytales, symbolism.
(And if you’re not a fan of horror but don’t mind a little gore, you should try this!)

𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
This was narrated flawlessly! I also loved the author’s little cameo (is it a cameo in an audiobook?) and his intro and ending. Such a fun audiobook to listen to!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy of When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. First off, I love Nat Cassidy's writing, each book has been so unique and built up suspense so well, that I get pulled in and suddenly it's 5:30 in the morning and I still haven't been to bed. The narrator did a wonderful job capturing the feeling of the book and it felt like I was there. I cannot classify the genre of this book as it kept flowing from one to another, but in a really good way. I love how much Cassidy pours of himself into his books and shares with us in the afterward. I felt for each character in this book, from Jessa the struggling actor/waitress, kiddo the poor boy running from monsters, to Cookie, Jessa's mom who tried her best to raise her as a single mom. This book had hints of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I am definitely recommending it to the Midnight Monster Club and everyone else, it was a fantastic read.

This book was my first Nat Cassidy and a book out of my comfort genres. I was so surprised that I really liked it. Very gorey, so if you need to avoid some triggers like that, it probably wouldn't be for you. But there were still some lines that had me laughing so hard.

Some part of the ending I guessed and there were some parts that I definitely didn't.

Not quite a 5 star, but definitely a solid or higher 4. I was listening to it and it's possible I would have given it higher if I read it physically, but still overall a great book.

There was a part in the audiobook that did throw me off a little bit. It switched to a male narrator to just read letters, but didn't for male characters and it was just so sudden that I felt confused as to why.

This was so much fun! I loved the concept of the little boy with special abilities who brings things into creation so long as he believes them to be true, it makes you question is the dad really a bad guy you think he is at the beginning or is he just in an impossible out of control situation,

I also loved the main female character I felt so bad for the situation she was in and was dying for her to get to a hospital the entire time 😂😂

Thank you for the gifted audio book, I definitely recommend this read for an unusual, fast paced and chaotic ride!

Publish date - April 22nd

A thrilling horror read about a young woman trying to save a young boy, and herself, from the boy's father. The set-up of this novel was fantastic - bloody, gory, tense, and also funny - but the story didn't go where I thought it would. It turned into a road trip story about these two characters trying to find safety, dealing with their own issues / traumas / relationships, and facing their own anxieties and fears.

Recommended for fans of books about/with: road trips, special powers, monster horror, grief/loss, complicated parent-child relationships, fear/paranoia

This is my second Nat Cassidy book (first was Nestlings), and I thought this was equally as all over the place as Nestlings was but maybe with a bit more finesse.

3.75

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance audiobook copy for review. The audiobook narration is fantastic.

I just finished When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy and… wow. Easily a 5/5 star read for me.

I don’t usually love this trope, but it was so well done here that I ended up loving the entire book. I’ve been dying to get my hands on this ARC, and I’m so grateful I finally got the chance to read it. Nat Cassidy has written some pretty twisted books, but this one? By far his best.

I caught onto the twist early, but the way it was written still landed hard. It’s scary, intense, action-packed, fast-paced—and unexpectedly emotional. He makes you fall in love with the characters and then absolutely wrecks you. There were a few moments where I did say “what the fuck” out loud and had to sit in silence at the end. Funny enough, part of the book takes place where I grew up, which added an extra layer for me.

Also, I usually skip the author’s note, but I listened to Nat talk about his dad, shapeshifting, and his reminder that we need to share our stories and somehow… it all hit really close to home.

Thank you to @catnassidy and @macmillan.audio for this incredible ARC. When the Wolf Comes Home releases April 22nd, and I need you to add it to your TBR immediately.

I read a lot of horror and I obviously got excited when I saw there was a new book by Nat Cassidy. His first books were so unique and I expected this to be similar, but it was even better than I expected. There aren't many great werewolf stories and that's cool too; I think it's probably hard to make werewolves real enough to be scary.
Cassidy succeeds at making the werewolf real and frightening-- I can't remember the last time I got scared reading a book, and my pulse was racing. Part of what makes this work is the trauma between a father and a child, and Cassidy talks about his own dad in a note at the end (his dad is not scary!)
Thanks to NetGalley, I got to listen to this audiobook, and the narrator did an awesome job, especially with the main character and the little boy.

This was such a clever and unique read. I have never read anything quite like it and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved how the author used all the child’s fears to become reality. It’s very humbling and eye opening to look inside the mind of a child. As adults we have become so conditioned to move on from things quickly or to suppress our feelings/fears. I loved the journey that Jess and “Kiddo” took. I was fascinated by the simplicity yet complexity of this child’s mind. Many twists occurred that I didn’t expect either. I was fully invested after the first chapter.

So grateful for my early copy and can’t wait for this to publish to get my official hard copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Highly recommend!

What I Liked
- High-stakes, fast-paced horror – from page one, it's full-throttle tension.
- The boy’s fear-based manifestations – flying masks, cartoon nightmares, pure childhood terror turned real.
- Jess is messy, complicated, and real– struggling with her own demons while trying to survive.
- The wolf monster – an ever-present, looming threat that keeps the tension high.
- The sense of dread never lets up – even in moments of "safety," something is always lurking.
- Cabin in the woods - false security, pure chaos when the horror catches up.
-The audio really adds depth to this story! You get to feel the tension and pull of the story through the audio book.

What Didn’t Work for Me
- Some emotional beats didn’t fully land– I wanted more depth in certain moments. Or the emotional parts felt so out of place it was more awkward that they were there.

Did not 100% work for me but it was definitely unique and worth the read.

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is by far one of my favorite books I've read so far this year. Both parts cinematic and terrifying I loved the characters, plot points, setting and prose. The audiobook had the perfect cadence in its narration which really adding to my reading experience. This is my 3rd book by this author and Nat Cassidy is now an autobuy author for me.

After working a shift at a diner, Jess finds a 5 year old boy who has run away and then unfortunately finds his father. After a very violent night, Jess and the boy are on the run. I LOVED this book. Every single second. It’s bloody and scary and then at times deeply emotional. I knew I would love this after enjoying Mary and Nestlings from the author but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. This will be my favorite horror novel of the year, I can’t see anything topping this

Ok, so this is my first book by Mr. Cassidy and let me tell you he’s right up there with my love for Stephen King’s stories. And this book was Umm how to say Wowzahhh!! Yup! Super scary, a bit gross, innovative, creative and so very twisted trust me a true cray cray wild ride!

Jess just quit her job as a waitress and decides to leave work early after cleaning up the bathrooms and being stabbed by a needle. Her plan was to go home and head to a clinic but plans changed. Outside her apartment she finds a young boy hiding in the bushes, while being attacked by birds. Her roommate and neighbors come running out to help but are ripped apart by these strange birds. So Jess grabs the boy and takes off after seeing the horror happening all around her.

There was no happy ending in this story being told, but there’s such a unique balance in the now Jess and the inside young Jess. As she tries to figure out what just happened and where is she in the Hotel? Hospital? Is it a dream? Is she sick, did the jab of the needle make her the monster? Does she have the power? Can she change the world?

The blurb on this book pulled me, because let me just say this I’m not one who reads about Vampires or Werewolves. This was not what you’d expect when you hear werewolf. Trust me if you enjoy Scary Horror this is for you!
I want this to be made into a film Now!!

🎧 The audio was incredible!! I’ve found many narrators' voices can be so annoying when they do the child’s part, but not in this case. I really enjoyed Helen Laser @hlaserwolf who brought this story to life. But I still really really enjoyed hearing Cassidy narrate. I'd like to hear more from him again..

#ad Many thanks for my advance copy to @titanbooks
& @netgalley + @macmillan.audio .

I absolutely love Nat Cassidy and was so excited to get early arc of his new book also one he narrated! Soooo good!!!!! I loved it! Thank you NetGalley

this book was incredible. there’s not enough words to describe how and why i loved it so much, it left such an impression and impact on me. if you like any of these things: roadtrip stories, witty characters, grief horror, dangerous powers and emotional gut punches.. i think you’d love this just as much as i do. highly recommend.

Jess finds a five year old runaway behind her apartment with his violent father hot on his trail. she ends up taking him under her wing and they go on the run together as she tries to protect him. turns out the boy is no ordinary kid though, he has extremely dangerous and unpredictable powers. the things he was able to conjure in his mind were insane, anything he fears or even thinks becomes a reality. yes, this is a werewolf book since his father is one but not in the way you’d think. the story went in so many different unpredictable directions and there was never a dull moment. i loved Jess’ character and her eccentric mother Cookie, the bond they share was so chaotic but beautiful. Jess isn’t without flaws, but she tries her best and sometimes that’s enough. the metaphors and parental childhood trauma hit hard for real, the ending had me staring at the wall afterwards. the audiobook was also amazing!!

4.25/5 stars.

I thought this was a fantastic listen. This reminded me of a darker version of The Bones Beneath My Skin. The two stories were vastly different but they shared some similarities. I actually went into this book mostly blind. I didn't even read the whole blurb and I found that to be a great pay-off. I would recommend doing the same if you're able! There is a lot of mystery surrounding a peculiar little boy and a monster lurking around him. I don't want to say too much about the plot because I think it would detract from the reading experience. It was exciting not knowing what to expect out of this book.

I can always expect to love Nat Cassidy's writing so I wasn't surprised that this book was no different. The characters were intriguing and lovable. The story was mysterious, tense, and heart-wrenching. I listened to the audiobook and I always love when authors pop in to do some or all of the narration. That was the case here. Helen Laser narrated the majority of the book but had some help from Nat Cassidy. Both did an amazing job.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

TW: gore, death, injury detail, child death, violence, blood, death of parent, murder, body horror, suicidal thoughts, medical content, grief, medical trauma, child abuse, gun violence, drug use, stalking, alcohol, car accident, kidnapping