Okay first of all WOW. Second of all WHAT. And third of all, I’ll be laying in the rain outside for the next 5-7 business days.

What I will say is that this story is filled with so much heart and emotion, it’s breathtaking. Secondly, this is not what you are expecting. Thirdly, Mr. Nat Cassidy wrote his own review with what this is his homage to. Read that first, and it all makes sense.

WHAT A STORY!! I can’t wait to own it for real for real.

Lastly, I’m reviewing the audio and it’s absolutely amazing. Thanks to NetGalley for this. This will be out in April y’all and it’s worth it, a million times.

This is a good one. Jess finds a young boy and they proceed to be on the run from his father. This one is packed with suspense, horror, gore, surprise and even some r election and grief. There is a bit of everything thrown into the fast paced and intense book.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced audio edition of When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy.

Oh wow, Cassidy had something to say, and he said it loudly.

This is a novel full of monsters and violence, but it's really about fear, and how it manifests.

When Jessa finds a little boy hiding in the bushes, she afraid of what has made him so afraid. She never would have guessed that soon they'd be running for their lives after witnessing bloody attack after attack, and finally Jessa is able to crack the code on why there are so many scary creatures chasing them, but does she have the ability to stop it?

This book comes with built in trigger warnings, but I'll still warn you, it's a grizzly read. However, I see what Cassidy was trying to do, and he did it really well. I thought it was clever and thought provoking, and the more I got into it, the more I enjoyed it.

One night, Jess finds a five-year-old boy hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. After a violemt encounter with the boy's father, she and the boy find themselves running for their lives.

As they attempt to evade the boy's increasingly desperate father, carnage follows their every move. This is my first book from Nat Cassidy. I listen to the audio book, and it fleshed out all the characters. I could not stop listening to the story, and it kept me up all night. This book is bloody, and full of gore. The plot was fast paced and action paced.

Me. Give me a horror book, but also make me cry.
Nat: Hold my beer.

A horror/thriller that uses magical-realism to explore our deepest fears.

This book hit especially close to home because our main character Jess is dealing with the death of her absent father, and isn't sure how to approach the grief. I recently went through a very similar thing, so I was hooked immediately to Jess' journey.

Jess finds a young boy wandering alone and quickly realizes his father is a monster, maybe even a literal one. Together her and the boy go on a road trip as they try to evade the monster/father, only for Jess to realize the little boy is hiding a secret too.

This book was hard to put down, I constantly needed to know what was going to happen next. The ending was not at all what I expected it would be, and I loved it.

Read this book if you want
🐺 Gore and violence
🐺 A good cry
🐺 Unhinged road trip
🐺 Magical realism
🐺 Emotional storytelling mixed with grief
🐺 An ending you'll never see coming

This book is best read after taking your anxiety meds, your heart will need it.

Audiobook/Book Review 📖🐺🩸🎧

Thank you so much partner @tornightfire @macmillan.audio for the gifted ARC + ALC.

When the Wolf Comes Home
by Nat Cassidy
Narrated by Helen Laser; Nat Cassidy

About the book 👇🏽

One night, Jess, a struggling actress, finds a five-year-old runaway hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. After a violent, bloody encounter with the boy's father, she and the boy find themselves running for their lives.

As they attempt to evade the boy's increasingly desperate father, Jess slowly comes to a horrifying understanding of the butchery that follows them—the boy can turn his every fear into reality.

And when the wolf finally comes home, no one will be spared.

🐺 My thoughts:

I don’t even know where to begin… this might be my favorite book by Nat Cassidy yet. He had me crying and really internally struggling and that was just not on my bingo card for 2025. To say I was unprepared is an understatement and truthfully I am not even sure I will recover. I was literally at the edge of my seat as soon as I started and thanks to my impatience I was able to request the audiobook when I wasn’t able to sit and read. Both versions were absolutely incredible and I would recommend them both. I finished this book a few days ago and I just haven’t been able to shake it. This is a story about chase, fear, family and emotions I was just not ready for! You’ve probably read this far and thought to yourself… “ma’am I thought this was horror..” and you’re right, it is. So not only did it make me feel all of the things… it’s brutal, terrifying, and f*cking RELENTLESS. Hands down one of my favorite books of the year… and quite possibly a new all time favorite. I guess Nestlings has to scooch down a bit to make room for When the Wolf Comes Home!! Make sure you’re ready to get wrecked 4/22/25, because that’s when it hits shelves!

Happy reading 📖 🐺🩸🎧

I would read Nat Cassidy’s grocery list if given the opportunity. This man knows how to hook me in a not let go. When I first heard about this I thought it was going to be a werewolf story but man it is so much more! If you want something fast paced action packed with killer body horror and as always with Nat a touch of heart this is for you. I would highly recommend the audiobook version because the narrator is fantastic at really fleshing out the characters and bringing another level of anxiety to it. Also loved that the author also narrates at times as well, love hearing and reading about his experiences and the behind the scenes look he gives. Thank you NetGally and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to experience this audiobook before release for my honest review.

A poignant and powerful story with an exciting plot and likeable characters, that lingers long after the final page. Cassidy's ability to blend suspense with deep emotion is masterful, and the found family trope adds a heartwarming layer to the narrative. The afterward left me in tears – a testament to the book's impact. Another fantastic read from Cassidy. Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The first thing I loved about this audiobook was the beginning & the end messages from Nat Cassidy. The ending explanation was so interesting and really helped visualize how this story came to fruition.

This story was unique, creepy, and claustrophobic. The thought that sometimes our minds create our monsters is something that I truly understand. This story didn’t have a happy ending so don’t expect one. With that said, it was real and raw.

I love stories with deeper meaning & it was pretty clear there was a lot of that in this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the early copy! This was highly anticipated for me and lived upto my expectations. This book blended all sorts of horror into a cool chase type thriller. I enjoyed the relationship built between the two main characters and I've gotta say, it gave me Firestarter vibes in the best way. This was so unique I loved it and I think it's my favorite of Nat Cassidy's work now.

I got the audiobook and I could not stop listening. The story moves at a brisk pace and the characters are great.

My first Nate Cassidy! While I don’t typically love a “chase” style thriller, this one was engaging, exciting, and well-paced throughout. Thanks to Netgalley for this audio e-galley!

This book tackled some of my worst nightmares by mimicking them, where a character's worst fears happen as they think about it. If you have trauma and a wild imagination, you probably have bad dreams that unfold in the same way this story does, and that terrified me.

The characters were strong, the plot moved along quickly, and the dread throughout was intense enough that I needed to take a break now and then. At the end of the book the author includes a lovely biographical explanation about the book and his reality, which ingratiated me to the book even more.

This is trippy, dark, violent, sad, and kind of funny -- my favorite combination of aspects in good horror. I enjoyed this a lot more than Nestlings, and I look forward to new things the author will release.

If your buzz words are
Daddy
Skin flaps
Misery
Fear
Bats

Pick up this book!
If you pick up this book I need you to go in blind, feel it's greatness for yourself.

When The Wolf Comes Home - Nat Cassidy
Pub date: 4/21/2025

Blending horror & deep emotional storytelling. Its haunting narrative will pull you in, making it impossible to look away. The twists are unexpected, and every page brims with tension and heart.

Woof (pun intended), this book was an absolute horror masterpiece!
I’ve always been a big fan of Nat’s writing, but When The Wolf Comes Home is easily my new favorite of his. This book is nothing like you expect—it’s a shapeshifter in its own right. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, it twisted, evolved, and morphed into something completely unexpected.
The story follows Jess, a struggling actress who discovers a young child in her backyard. From that moment on, the book does not let up. It has the relentless energy of an old-school horror action movie, yet Nat masterfully balances the terror with humor and deep emotional weight. I love the current references to pop culture as well. The existential dread in this book is next level. There are so many layers to uncover, and as a parent, the themes of parent-child relationships really struck a chord with me. The constant question of "How do you protect?" lingered in my mind long after I finished reading.
A quick note on the audiobook: I was lucky enough to have both a physical copy and the audiobook, and I have to say—the narrators did an outstanding job. The audio version truly enhanced the experience, making it even more immersive.
Final note—don’t skip the Author’s Note at the end. Nat shares a deeply personal connection to the story, which I think will resonate with many readers. It certainly did with me.
4.5/5 stars
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced e-copy, physical copy, and audiobook!

4.5 stars rounded up because Nat Cassidy's afterwords always delight me.

This is being categorized as mystery & thriller, but I don't entirely understand why. I mean, for one, Nat Cassidy writes horror, no? Or is this another example of horror getting slighted? Anyway, I digress. This is a very dark fairytale that is equal parts horrific and moving. And to borrow a word used in the story, it's "complicated". I love how murky this is (not in an inaccessible way). My feelings on the characters, where I thought the story was going, how I was both amused and almost teared up at times, and how I alternated between being hopeful and helpless, all changed repeatedly throughout. Also, Jess and the boy were a perfect duo. And even though one of the MCs is a little kid, and Cassidy does a beautiful job capturing some of that child-like horror, there's nothing cutesy about this. Also, Cassidy is one of the few male writers who i trust to write female characters.

And Helen Laser! The only thing that could make me more excited than I already was for a new Nat Cassidy novel was one narrated by Helen Laser. She's one of my faves. And she was excellent with all the voices, even some of the more unusual ones. I mean, the weasel was top notch.

Anyway, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! This was awesome.

Nat Cassidy: A Wordborne Werewolf

Well, hot diggity dang! Nat Cassidy isn’t just a horror writer—he’s a Wordborne Werewolf, a storyteller whose words shapeshift into nightmares, unpredictable and relentless. His stories don’t just send chills up your spine—they burrow under your skin and refuse to leave. He unleashes something dark and consuming—a skill he demonstrates in his latest When The Wolf Comes Home.

When The Wolf Comes Home chilling and profound blend of supernatural horror with psychological terror layered with gore, brutal unexpected horror, jaw-dropping twists, and gut-wrenching emotional depth that elevates every unsettling visual moment.

Not A Werewolf Story

If you think this is just another werewolf tale—think again. There are no predictable full moons or silver bullets here—something far more unsettling and insidious. Instead, Cassidy hits differently and sends you on a chilling descent to what nightmares are made from. This is where fear seeps from the page, burrowing into your thoughts. It’s the perfect mix of terrifying and thought-provoking, making you question what’s lurking in the dark corners of your mind.

A Mysterious Child & A Mind-Bending Descent

​The real magic (or nightmare) of Cassidy’s writing is how he builds tension through the eyes of a mysterious young boy as he explores fear through his thoughts. It’s about how our thoughts and experiences manifest fear. ​​His horror lingers, forcing you to wonder: Is fear something we feel or something we create?

This isn’t slow-burn horror filled with creeping dread—it’s a full-throttle ride of action, gore, gut-wrenching insight, and unexpected twists at every turn.

Audiobook vs. eBook

I listened to this one, and let me tell you—the audiobook is the way to go. I didn’t have an eBook to compare, but I can only imagine that the terror on the page is just as intense. From the moment I hit play, I didn’t want to do anything else.

The narrator was pitch-perfect, shifting seamlessly between unease and outright terror, nailing every beat of excitement, dread, and intensity at just the right moments.

I’ll admit—sometimes when I listen to audiobooks, I switch to reading because the pacing can drag. But not this time. This one flew, and I didn’t want to miss a single second.

Final Verdict: Go with the Audiobook!

If you’re debating how to experience this story, trust me—go with the audiobook. It’s immersive, chilling, and gripping from start to finish. This one whispers in your ear long after it ends.

Are you ready for the wolf to come home?

I really tried to like this one...however it simply was not it. The one bright spot was the narrator, she did a fantastic job!

I was excited to read this book and it proved to live up to that excitement. Jess, a struggling actor, ends up with accidental custody of a little boy who's capable of manifesting his own whims. The pair end up on the run from the boy's father, who happens to be a terrible monster.

This book was a lot of fun and it really pulled no punches. It was brutal and scary but on top of that it was also funny and occasionally charming. There were a lot of things I really loved about this book and there were moments where I was actually delighted. The creativity that went into bringing the boy's dreams and fears to life went into making this read such a good time.

That said, I'm both so angry and so overjoyed by the end of this book. I didn't see where this was going at all, wouldn't have ever guessed. And I love it when books catch me off guard this way.

5/5 stars, for sure. Can't wait to read Nat Cassidy's other novels.

Nat Cassidy has been one of my favorite author discovery’s of the last couple of years, so when I was offered an audiobook of When the Wolf Comes Home I was ecstatic. This book is a wild, adrenaline fueled roller coaster ride from the start and the action rarely lets up. I went in thinking it was going to be a traditional werewolf story, but it was something very different and much more powerful. It is a blood drenched look at parenthood, the power of imagination, and anxiety. It is also an examination of the nature of fear, and it is powerful, emotional and heartbreaking.

No one writes flawed characters better than Cassidy. He gets to the bottom of what makes individual tick. They are multi dimensional and you are able to connect with them while at the same time are often aggravated by them. In other words he creates people who are real. As usual one of my favorite parts of a Cassidy novel is when he shares his own story, background and inspiration. Just when you think you completely understand one of his novels, you read the afterward and what he shares of his own personal experience adds a depth and power to the novel. You see it with fresh eyes and will want to read it again with your new understanding to guide you through it.

I’m so happy I listened to this one on audio. Helen Laser’s narration is a feat of storytelling as she captures the nuance of each character and brings their fear to life. She also does an incredible job capturing the sometimes subtle nature of fear and devastation so that it feels real and relatable. It was an outstanding narration. A performance. I highly recommend the audiobook of this one.
Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for an audio arc of this book.