Narrator: 5/5


This is one of those weird reviews because I personally didn’t like this book at all, but I totally see why everyone else loves it. This book is written so well and very thoroughly thought out. I appreciate that in a book. Sadly I just never find an overly gory book or movie to be particularly scary. It always just feels distracting to me so that’s more of a personal preference. I also generally can’t stand kids in stories and this was definitely an example of being constantly frustrated by a kid in a story. I get the reasoning why the story circled the child’s story, but I just couldn’t get past how obnoxious he was.

I’ll definitely recommend this to my audience! I can see why everyone loves it, but it just turned out to not be my type of horror.

This book was amazing! And one of the most fun, gripping, heart pounding books I’ve read this year. Right from the start I was in! This book made me laugh and cry and I was rooting all the way for Jess and the little boy. I am so grateful I got the audiobook from NetGalley, because the narrator really put in the tone for the story. It was so emotional and stressful, I was hooked on every word. I’ve read some other books by this author and without fail , he’s amazed me once more.

4.5 stars!
Jess has had an awful day at work. She is on her way home when she spots a young boy hiding in the bushes, afraid of his father finding him. She takes him in, not realizing what she has just taken on as carnage begins to follow them wherever they escape to.

This is one of the best horror reads I have ever read. It was real and raw, and poignant in how it touched on how many things can be scary. It was so imaginative and it just felt really human to me. I love when a horror book has depth and this one definitely had that. It had some good twists and Jess was an awesome protagonist. I will be reading this author’s backlist and anything new that he comes out with. I loved the afterword with all of the insights from the author.

*4.5 stars*

This was a wild, tense ride. The ending was fantastic. As someone with anxiety this book was so relatable and simultaneously terrifying. Head the trigger warnings and go in knowing that this books is about fathers and relationships.

The narration was good, easy to listen to. The authors note at the end is interesting and it’s always nice when the author reads it themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.

Holy smokes, this is absolutely one the best and most well-written horror novels of the last five years that I've read. It was simultaneously so sharply and softly written. Every beat hit. The gruesome descriptions, the wild internal thoughts, and the utter believability of it all was really, really impressive. This is going to be a go-to recommendation for me.

This book is Nat Cassidy's third full-length novel and follows Jess as she and a young boy try to flee the various shadows trying to catch up with them. I don't want to describe too many plot details because there is a real joy here in just going along for the ride, because it is a wild one. But if you want a couple more enticing crumbs think The X-Files episode, "x-Cops" with a dash of Emma Donoghue's Room and topped with a big ol' dollop of originality.

It's also full of heart and care and blood and trauma and humor and so much more. Cassidy proved to me here he's a strong voice in the modern horror genre, and I'll be listening for more. And speaking of listening, Helen Laser and Cassidy knocked it out of the park with the audiobook narration.

Interesting plot, not a typical werewolf story as the cover and title may suggest. The author has a quirky writing style that I found fun to read. I found the book to have more suspense than horror.

When the Wolf Comes Home
Nat Cassidy
Macmillan Audio
Format: ARC from @macmillan.audio
#macaudio2025
5/ 5

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the ARC of this audiobook, this truly made my year!

If there is one thing I want to make painfully clear if you come across my review page, it is this: If you have not read Nat Cassidy, you need to get it together and do it like yesterday. His stories are another that I will highly recommend the audio book because he steps in for the foreword and afterword, explaining why he wrote in certain ways, his inspirations, and gives a lot of food for thought - as if we needed anymore after finishing the book. When the Wolf Comes Home is no exception. Cassidy’s newest book (out now) is a terrifying and hilarious take on the Big Bad Wolf. Jess, a young actress waiting for her big break finds a five year old boy hiding in the bushes outside of her apartment after a long (and stressful) shift at the diner. Thinking she was just going to get him some help and be back on her merry way, she actually becomes entangled in a horrifying game of cat and mouse with a creature that is just as violently real as it is supernatural.
One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was knowing Cassidy’s ability to make characters that are so real. He has a way of being able to get into each of their heads and thoughtfully considers how they would react in situations, making each move they make purposeful. No empty scenes or dialogue here. Everything flows well, and there were no points where I felt it was slow or became dull. I’ll be honest, I don’t know what else to say other than, this is a damn good book.
Tackling tons of heavy hitting topics including relationships with our parents, childhood trauma, the way children are treated in society vs what they are capable of, health fears, and of course, the supernatural, Cassidy was still able to make it palatable and even hilarious at times. This story really did prompt me to sit with uncomfortable thoughts at times and examine them through my own lens, my own experiences coloring them. I am a big fan of encouraging reading to see life through other perspectives, and Cassidy’s book does just that, and I think When The Wolf Comes Home is his most busy intersection of walks of life yet. Oh yeah, and it is seriously creepy.

Not what I was hoping for! I really liked the beginning, the first quarter or so. At that point, the book did a bit of a bait-and-switch and turned into something extremely Dean Koontz-ian. That's not TERRIBLE, I have certainly enjoyed some Koontz books in my time, but maybe downgraded from 4 stars to 3 stars.

But as things went on, I grew more and more exasperated by Jess's decision-making, and around 85% something happened that made me ENRAGED at her. What was her plan?!?! What did she think she could possibly do with this child? Why did she think he was worth potentially world-ending consequences after what he'd already put her through. I just really couldn't stand her by the end and was fed up with the choices she was making (This situation called for an unsentimental heroine who would kill this child early on rather than abet his killing spree. Sorry not sorry 🤷🏻‍♀️)

On the plus side, the audiobook narrator, Helen Laser, was fantastic! While I hated the book, none of that was due to the narration and I would certainly recommend the audio version if you are going to read this one. Perfect voice for this character.

This was like a Goosebump book but for adults. It started off slightly cheesy and then hours later I’m pacing my kitchen, asking myself, “What the hell is happening here? I have no idea but I’m kind of digging this.” There’s plot twists after plot twists. Numerous gut punches. And then it wraps up with mind bending revelation that I can’t stop thinking about.

I had no idea where this story was going and honestly that was part of the magic. The audiobook was wonderful. The narration kept me locked in even when I wasn’t sure what was happening. And let’s be real, for a solid bit at the beginning, I wasn’t. It starts with a kind of cheesy and over the top scene. But then it slowly unravels and reveals itself in the most unexpected ways.

And while this is technically horror, it’s also sneakily insightful. As someone who constantly worries and is anxious about everything this story hit hard. Not just with the creepy vibes but with the honesty about what it feels like to live inside a storm of your own thoughts. I honestly cannot stop thinking about it. Not necessarily the story but what it all means. About what it’s really saying beneath the words on the pages.

I’d love to say more but honestly this is one of those books that works best when you go in blind. Trust the weird. Let it simmer. And don’t be surprised if it leaves you staring at your ceiling re-evaluating your emotional baggage.

It takes a lot to genuinely scare me, but this book managed to do it! The story immediately had me hooked and continued the entire time. This author really knows how to be scary and make you feel all different emotions. The writing is spectacular and the narrator did an amazing job.

4.5★
When The Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is a horror book best to go in blind so I won't go into it too much except for the vibes.

As someone who never read anything Nat Cassidy and knew nothing about the book besides what was written in the description, this was not what I expected. The best way to describe this books is bonkers (but in a fun and entertaining way not in a bad way.) There is so much body horror as well as psychological horror. It was fast paced and tense the whole time. There were themes of anxiety, fear, and family that I really needed to hear at this time in my life. This novel might be insane, but it was so much more than a creepy book. I will definitely be reading more of Nat Cassidy.

Also, the narrator was top tier! I have to listen to more of her narrations.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Nat Cassidy book, and now after reading this, I'm dying to read his backlist.

Jess is a struggling actress who one weird night finds a terrified little boy hiding in her bushes. As she is trying to help the little boy, his father shows up, but something is ...off. Jess takes the little boy and flees, and a chase ensues. But strange occurrences begin happening and Jess has to find a way to keep the boy safe from whatever it is that's chasing them.

I'd call this one horror with heart. Did I expect to be on the edge of my seat one minute and on the verge of tears the next? Nope, but I was here for the ride! The characters felt so deep to me and it was really easy to connect with them. I also thought the story was really creative and unique, and I loved the author's commentary on family and fathers specifically.

This is not one to miss, and I'd highly recommend picking it up! The audiobook is read by Helen Laser, who is one of my favorite narrators, so go that route if audiobooks are your thing!

When the Wolf Comes Home follows an aspiring actress in LA who works part time at a bar. In the midst of a slight medical scare, Jess returns home to find a scared and traumatized little boy in her yard. And things are basically downhill from there.

I think the narrator for this book, Helen Laser, was amazing. And the author's note in the beginning about TWs was enough of a glimpse into their brain to let me know I would like him as an author. And I was right. This was my first Nat Cassidy book and I can't wait to read more.

Readers coming into this book should know that there's elements of physical and psychological horror that the story is woven around. But the core of the book centers on parental connections and how they can impact a child.

Jess, who has recently lost her father, feels immediately protective of the young boy. Even with the sudden appearance of this wolf/bear creature who attacks her neighbors, she puts the boy's safety first. And that's a constant theme throughout the story even at points where she begins to weigh the risks of protecting him versus herself.

And for me, the more I read, the scarier the story seemed to feel. The small chain reactions that continue to build around Jess and the little boy while running away from the creature chasing them end up having such a big impact, I was really just hoping for certain parts to just be a character's dream.

The closest relationship Jess has in the book is with her mother who can be eccentric and dramatic but man is their foundation strong. Even without knowing all the details of why Jess is on the run, she helps and protects her. There's a moment in the story where Jess learns some new information about her estranged father regarding his absence in her life. I liked the closure she gets from this information, but I didn't think it changed much for Jess and her natural intentions.

She wasn't a parent but understood that the young boy needed protection and was scared. And understanding that as a 5 year old just how scary the whole world may seem to him. As we age, some of those fears fade or go away. And sometimes, they're just replaced by other things.
There's a lot that I can't say without spoiling the book for other readers. So I will just ask this question: who do you think is the villain in When the Wolf Comes Home?

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nat Cassidy is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. When the Wolf Comes Home is a fast-paced, emotional, and terrifying blend of psychological and supernatural horror. This isn’t just a werewolf story. At its core, it's about trauma, survival, and the ways fear can shape and destroy us.

The story follows Jess, a struggling actress whose life takes a wild turn when she finds a five-year-old runaway hiding behind her building. As they hit the road together, she realizes his fears aren’t just in his head, they’re becoming real.

Cassidy does such a great job weaving action, emotion, and horror together. Jess is a deeply flawed and raw but relatable character, and her bond with the boy broke my heart in the best way. Cookie, Jess’s eccentric mother, adds even more chaos and heart to the story. The family dynamics are just as intense as the horror.

The writing is vivid and grounded, full of gut-punch moments, dark humour, and metaphors. The creature horror is wild and unpredictable, but it’s the emotional weight behind it that sticks with you.

This was one of the most unique and emotionally resonant horror novels I’ve read in a while. Emotional, terrifying, and totally unforgettable. The audiobook is fantastic too. Highly recommend if you love emotional horror, road trip thrillers, and dark, gritty storytelling.

This was my first Nat Cassidy read, and upon finishing it, I immediately started reading everything in his backlist.

This book was scary. Really effing scary. This book caused the kind of existential dread that kept me up at night. This book messed with my head, and I devoured it. My favorite kinds of horror books are those that truly tap into psychological horror--the fears that eat us up from the inside out. And this book dealt that in spades. And yes, there was also significant violence and gore, and while those elements were definitely scary, it was the ANXIETY of it all that kept me up at night.

This is a book about fear and family and control (or lack thereof). I highly recommend it to anyone looking for emotionally-driven psychological horror.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for my advanced copy.

The plot appears to be about a boy who can imagine things into reality and the scrappy young woman who is thrown into protecting him, and the fate of the world in the meantime. Things get much more complicated. This is a very smart, very slyly funny, and compassionate gorefest that will delight horror fans and any other reader who has the stomach for it

Massive thank you, as always, to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the ALC for this phenomenal listen!!

Nat Cassidy really knows how to delve into the details to make you fully immersed in the story and feel like you are truly in it yourself. The audio for this played on those details so well that I thought I was bleeding at one point!! Not really, but it is truly done so well!

This was morbid, different and just truly creepy in the best ways. I loved how this played out. It was emotional, an adrenaline rush, made you feel sympathetic, sad, angry and just all of the things. Definitely recommend picking this one up!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacamillanAudio for the book #WhenTheWolfComesHome by #NatCassidy. This book is filled with fear, regret and murder. Jess comes home one night to find a five year old scared and hiding in the bushes. She soon realizes he is hiding from his father who will stop at nothing to find him and destroy everything. The boy seems to have some kind of powers that enable him to his fears into real things. Can she save the boy and survive the wolf?

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an early audiobook of this novel. Here are my thoughts!

Jess is a waitress and struggling actress. One night, a strange attack hits her apartment and while hiding she finds a terrified 5-year-old boy. They flee together but the terrors keep following them. Will they be able to escape or will the violence eventually catch up with them?

This is my first Nat Cassidy book. I own a couple others but haven’t gotten around to reading them and boy am I kicking myself. I loved everything about this book. I expected a gruesome and horror filled read. I totally got that, but what I wasn’t expecting was the heart. The relationship between Jess and the boy, and the other side characters felt so real. I was totally attached to the two of them and wanted all the good things.

Another thing that stole my attention was the messages within. A major one is crappy dads, which is a little more common in novels. The big one that stuck with me is the power of fear and anxiety, and what can happen when it begins to control your life. A few years ago, I was so anxious that I would have panic attacks trying to leave my home. There wasn’t anything particular that was scaring me, but it was crippling. This book captured that uncontrollable and unexplainable fear that we sometimes feel as humans.

There are some devastating twists and turns, I totally cried at work listening to this and I think it’s the fastest I have ever finished an audiobook! This is my first time listening to Helen Laser narrate and she knocked it out of the park! One of my favourite narrators I’ve heard yet. Absolute perfection.

When the Wolf Comes Home is a contender for my top read of the year because it had everything wrapped up with one bloody, gruesome bow. Now I’m going to go read Rest Stop and feel disgusting.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.