When The Wolf Comes Homes is one of the most poignant, thought-provoking and creatively ambitious novels that I’ve read. It’s a gory ride, with tender moments, heartbreaking events and a truly madcap scene that tickled my imagination.

What one might assume is a typical werewolf story is truly turned on its head, though the theme of parents being shapeshifters is very apt. It focuses upon fear-it’s very nature and how it affects us and other people, how it changes us and also upon the complex relationships between parents and children.

Jess is a struggling actress who works in a diner and has an unexpected encounter with a five-year-old boy, before her life is upended in the worst ways imaginable. Jess is very relatable, a young woman with flaws, dealing with a situation that she isn’t prepared for and trying her best to ensure that she and her young charge survive.

What initially seems like an effort to escape a monstrous creature becomes something more, as Jess and the boy encounter death and revelations that leave them changed. Jess’ relationship with the boy is a mirror and a contrast to her own relationship with her recently-deceased and estranged father; both of them unsure of what they were doing and yet only one of them able to rise to the challenge presented to them.

Yet even when trying to do the right thing for a child, the wrong choices can still be made and the consequences of the best intentions are no less shattering.

When The Wolf Comes Home does not wrap everything up with a neat little bow and I sat for a few days after reading it, contemplating the ending. The Afterward is also a beautiful glimpse into the author’s life and inspiration for the novel .

The audiobook narration by Helen Laser is amazing. She does such a wonderful job with not only Jess’ voice-capturing the “trying so hard to hold it all together amidst complete chaos” nuances along with the utterly terrified reactions and deep grief-but also in making the boy come across as realistic as she can, as opposed to someone just trying to sound like a child.

The other characters she voiced were also great and Jess’ mother Cookie was a standout. The brief and additional narration was well done and added depth to a particular scene.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for providing access to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This was Nat Cassidy’s fastest, fiercest ride for me yet—and I think it might be his best. It opens with Jess, a struggling actress, finding a lost five-year-old boy in the bushes outside her apartment. One minute she’s comforting him, the next she’s fending off his insanely violent father—and running for her life.

What makes this book stand out is how Cassidy blends raw action with pure creepiness. Just when you think you know where the story’s headed, he pulls out a twisted 2D world sequence that feels like nothing you’ve ever read before (if you know, you know). This unexpected detour is equal parts wild and horrifying, and it kept me glued to my seat.

Jess and the boy have an E.T.-style bond—she’s protective, he’s innocent and scared—and that relationship is at the heart of the chaos. Their journey is a pulse-pounding chase through dark alleys, highways, and landscapes that can shift at any moment. Cassidy doesn’t spoon-feed you answers; he thrives on the unknown, making every shadow and whisper in each chapter feel nightmarish.

The ending sneaks up on you. Just when you think it’s all wrapped up, Cassidy tosses in an extra twist that feels both earned and jarring—in a good way. Fair warning: there’s a tiny plot hole I’m still scratching my head over, but it’s small compared to the story’s highs.

I also loved the author’s afterword in the audiobook, where Cassidy connects the tale to his relationship with his own father. It adds a layer of emotional resonance that lingers after the final page. If Nat Cassidy’s future books are anything like this, consider me officially his biggest fan. Fast, fresh, and frightening—this one’s a must-read.

A few years ago I read this amazing book about two children who catch on fire and they're being cared for by a nanny who was essentially tricked into it. It was one of the best book I ever read. I laughed at that one.
This is like that but it is terrifying beyond belief, even in the humorous moments.
Anyone who had ever had intrusive thoughts will be scared by this one.
I loved every single word. I might not get over it for a while.

Absolute banger of a book! I've been wanting to read Nat Cassidy's work for a good while now, and man, have I been missing out. As soon as the book started, I knew right away that this was going to be one hell of a ride. And the author killed it - this shot straight up to be one of the top reads of this year. I can't recommend this enough!

Jess and Kiddo - great duo in this horror thriller. The development between the two among the craziness of the plot was done so well. Not only did this book just MOVED with excitement and intensity, there were a lot of emotional moments as well. Not to mention the creativity among all of this with the killler cartoon characters and the wolf itself. The author took gutsy turns in the story and it was so brilliantly done. Every chapter just got better and better. I received this as an audiobook and wow - amazing to say the least. Truly - don't miss out on this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an audio copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for early copy for review*

This was so good! A perfect blend of fantasy, horror and fairy tales. The descriptions of the gore left me squirming. I am truly blown away by this book!

The narrator did a fantastic job conveying the emotions in the characters. I truly felt like I was in a drug induced psychedelic experience.

The themes that this story played on with family and fathers had me thinking about my own relationship with my father.

I just loved this! I want more. I wish I could relive listening to this audiobook for the first time.

4.5

This book was incredible, and the audiobook was excellent. In fact, it was one of the best audiobooks I’ve personally ever listened to. Helen Laser’s narration brought the characters to life, imbuing a perfect amount of panic and fear into the terrifying scenes. The production was also great quality, with the occasional special effects. It was a very fun and engaging listening experience!

As for the actual story, I had such a fun time with it! The characters were so fleshed out and realistic, and Nat Cassidy’s descriptions of gore sent chills down my spine. The novel also explores themes of grief, abuse, alcoholism, trauma, and so much more, in such a masterful way. Cassidy has a talent for blending the horror of the everyday with paranormal and supernatural elements. It makes for a thought provoking and extremely bizarre, entertaining read.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, the author, and Negalley for providing me with an Advanced Listener Copy in exchange for an honest review.

When the Wolf Comes Home follows Jess, a woman returning to her childhood home to confront the dark past that haunts her family. As she uncovers secrets about the supernatural forces at play, she finds herself caught in a battle that forces her to face her deepest fears. The story blends horror with a unique fantasy element, creating an atmospheric, suspenseful read.

This book was excellent. I absolutely loved the narrator, who brought the story to life in such a compelling way, and most of the characters were fantastic. Jess, while not always making the best decisions, was the perfect protagonist for this dark and twisted tale. You don't love every character you meet along the way, but they were all deeply engaging and made this a wild ride. The supernatural aspect was completely unique, and while I wasn’t necessarily scared, it definitely ticked plenty of boxes in the horror genre. There are definite trigger warnings for graphic and gory content, but that’s all part of what makes this a solid horror read. Highly recommend—this one gets all the stars!


When the Wolf Comes Home comes out April 22, 2025. Huge thank you to Tor Nightfire and MacMillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting myInstagram @speakingof.books.
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Holy “what the” did I just read!?!?

When the Wolf Comes Home is a fever dream wrapped in a Grimm Brothers fairy tale, drenched in blood, grief, daddy issues, and just the right amount of humor to make you laugh while nervously biting your nails.

Nat Cassidy explores the slippery nature of fear—fear of the what-ifs, fear of the unknown, fear of what’s next, and, worse, fear that the fever dream might just be reality. Cassidy doesn’t just walk you through it—he straps you into a roller coaster, cranks up the tension, and plunges into the depths of Jess’s fears.

I paired the audio with the eBook, and Helen Laser ROCKED this narration. Her voice mirrors the steady stream of adrenaline in the story. She nails the heart-pounding action but also captures every ounce of the heartbreak and dread.

No one escapes this story unscathed—not the characters, and certainly not me.
I’m not 100% sure I fully understood the ending, but I am pretty sure my guess is correct. Whether right or wrong, I loved every unhinged minute of it. Congrats, Nat Cassidy! You are officially on my auto-buy author list!

One of the best horror novels I’ve read. If you like Grady Hendrix, I think you’ll love this book. It’s crazy. It’s fast paced and will still leave you thinking at the end. Not only is it scary but the scares are based on some of our innermost fears as children and adults. Don’t stop at the afterword. Please read it. Fantastic read and I highly recommend it!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for this ALC! The audio was done by Helen Laser and absolutely amazing! The afterword read by the author himself was just as wonderful. Add this to your list today!

Thank you to McMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. And to Nat Cassidy, happy pub day!

When the Wolf Comes Home is a twisty, genre-bending ride that oscillates between absurdist horror, military procedural, and psychological drama, often without warning. Nat Cassidy’s novel explores the fractured relationship between Jess and a reality-bending child, and while it features some emotionally powerful moments, the constant shifts in tone make it a challenging read.

What Worked:

The emotional core of the story is its standout. The growing bond between Jess and the boy, especially as they each work through their fears, is captivating. The relationship feels real, and in these moments, the book shines. The emotional punches, when they hit, really land, and there’s an undeniably tragic beauty to the ending.

What Didn’t:

Where the book falters is in its constant tonal shifts. At times it feels like three novellas stacked on top of each other. You’ll go from deep, intimate character moments to absurd and bizarre narrative turns (shout out Roger Rabbit. No, really). The shifts are jarring, especially when you get wrapped up in the emotional depth of the characters, only for it to be disrupted by the chaos that follows. And let’s not forget the overuse of “daddy,” which just hits the wrong note every time.

Overall Thoughts:

Despite its uneven pacing and whiplash so bad I'm going to need a neck brace. When the Wolf Comes Home manages to pull at the heartstrings when it matters most. Its ending is effective in closing out the story's emotional arc. There’s definitely a lot to appreciate, but it’s a bumpy road to get there. Still, if you’re into psychological horror with a dash of absurdism, it’s worth the journey, just get that neck brace ready.

3.2/5

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
Story: 🐆🐆🐆🐆 / 🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆
Narrator: 🐆🐆🐆🐆 / 🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆

Thoughts (assume minor spoilers): I really enjoyed this one. It felt a bit Firestarter, a bit Girl With All the Gifts, and even a bit Roger Rabbit. Jess’s struggle to deal with the care of this kiddo whilst also feeling a lot of her own family’s trauma was intense. Every time they encountered the boy’s father was insane, and the final act was just bonkers. One of the best horror titles I’ve encountered this year.

uggghhhh why are the 2025 releases not hitting for me!!! as a huge fan of Cassidy's Nestlings, I was sorely disappointed in this book. not only could I not really connect to the characters, but I didn't connect to the plot either. it's sort of a meandering, on-the-run story, which isn't really my thing. the plot just wasn't compelling to me, and although there were moments with some gore, there was a huge lack on tension in my opinion.

When the Wolf Comes Home is out now. thank you to Macmillan Audio Influencer 2025 program for a free copy of this audiobook.

Honestly, if you struggle with relationships with your parents…please read this. This healed me in a way I can’t quite describe.

This book follows Jess who finds a 5 year old boy hiding in bushes outsider her apartment. He is hiding and running from his father. A truly scary man. So many WILD and bloody things happen on their journey. And when they wolf finally comes home, none will be spared.

Minus the fact that this helped heal my inner child a bit, it was seriously such a well written book with phenomenal characters. I also listened to this and the narrator did such a great job.

Highly recommend this book. Definitely put it on your list.

When The Wolf Comes Home is such a creepy story in the best way. It is so much more than a werewolf story. It’s your nightmares, waking up terrified in the middle of the night, your worst fears, and the darkest fairytale all rolled in to one! Go ahead and grab this one; however, be prepared to loose a little sleep whether from not being able to put it down or being creeped out 🖤

I enjoyed this wholeheartedly. It was not at all what I was expecting, in a good way! I will definitely look for other Nat Cassidy books!

When the wolf comes home, none will be spared….including the reader!

This book y’all! THIS. BOOK. Y’ALL!!!! It’s gritty, visceral, emotional and mind blowing. Not only does When the Wolf Come Home take the reader on a terrifying journey of grief, fear, and edge of your seat action, but it also takes you on a journey of self reflection. You get so much more than an insanely creepy horror story. You get a powerful novel that provides multiple layers, and be prepared for the Author’s note at the end because it sure packs a punch. Nat Cassidy is a masterful horror author and always imbues such emotions into his stories.

Creepy kid vibes with disturbing echoes of The Twilight Zone. This is what happens when your childhood fairy tales become your nightmare. This was a fast paced horror/thriller that will keep on the edge of your seat. The twist at the end was definitely not expected. Loved it! Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced ALC.

This is hands down one of the best books I’ve ever read. Nat Cassidy continues to knock it out of the park. I legitimately had nightmares about this book (in a good way). This book was so beautifully written and artfully crafted, I was questioning my reality at every turn. Any fans of the supernatural or mind-bending, fast paced, eat your heart out books should pick this one up.

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC!

This is my first Nat Cassidy book and I'm counting it as a success even if at first I wasn't really sure how to feel about it. 3.5 stars.

At first, I thought this would be a werewolf book, but the werewolf element is barely even there. It's more about daddy issues and facing your fears with some amazing horror imagery. The writing is simple yet gripping, and I was entertained throughout. I just wasn't amazed, and I expected to be, but I'm leaving this book with a good impression and a desire to read Nestlings and Mary.

The audiobook narration is great and the narrator did a good job at conveying emotions and changing her voice when it suited. It was also cool to listen to Nat Cassidy read the author's note!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc.

Yes, he did it again. Nat Cassidy is consolidating his name among the big horror writers. He is definitely a must buy author and a must read author for me. In this story we follow Jess, a struggling actress who works in a diner, and who through a serious of unfortunate events ends up taking care of a mysterious boy.

Jess finds this boy outside her apartment and he seems to be running from something or someone very dangerous, or scary. However, the more Jess spends time with this boy the more she realizes something is not quite right. Is she safe with this kid? Is there something wrong with him?

The audiobook is narrated by Helen Laser and by the author, Nat Cassidy. They do a spectacular job, giving the story depth and giving the reader some chills. This book has some amazing reviews and they are very deserved. If you haven’t read Nat Cassidy yet, pick any of his books. I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.