A romp of an audiobook! This was so entertaining and greatly alleviated the story. Loved it so much; the cadence of the narrator was especially delicious. The sound effects were also top notch.

Wonderfully dark, wholesome, devastating, and so thought provoking. It was wildly creative and not nearly as horrific as some other horror novels out there, but still one of the best I’ve read. A favorite of the year, no question.

Going in, I thought this was going to be a werewolf story. I didn’t read the full synopsis, but werewolves and Cassidy just felt like the perfect combo. Is there a werewolf? Maybe… 😉 Imagine your worst fears could come to life. Literally.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook arc of When the Wolf Comes Home! The audio is phenomenal, complete with a wonderful afterword read by Nat Cassidy himself. I devoured this one.

This is one of those books I want to gift to everyone and just tell them: Don’t look up a single thing. Just read it.

I went into this book without looking at anything but the cover . And this book was so much different than what I thought. Without giving too much away I will say that the author transported the reader into a world of uncertainty and horror while still maintaining very human-ness of the characters. Brutal at some points and emotional at others, this book was the Perfect Blend of weird and wonderful. I already know who in my book buddies I can recommend this to and I will be looking into other books by this author. The afterward by the author was something that I'm thinking about even days later, it was impactful and makes me want to read other novels by him.

I hadn't read a book by Nat Cassidy yet, but the description spoke to me so I picked this audiobook up. Oh man, oh man, oh MAN. This is an incredibly tense, evocative, and complicated book. Before I say anything else: PLEASE NOTE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS INCLUDED AT THE START OF THIS BOOK. Including some I'll list here: violence, gore, body horror, death of parent, child death, child abuse, medical content, needles, stalking, and kidnapping. And that's just a start.

"When the Wolf Comes Home" is about fear. Largely, it's about being a parent, what that means, the choices we make regarding our children, fears we have/fears they have, etc., but it's also about control. Control is something of an antonym of fear, because we use control to navigate said fears: we control our emotions, our reactions, our actions. Even with a phobia, we exist in a world made of pure fear, and we have to find our own ways to survive all that.

But there is no controlling a child. You can try, as characters in this novel do, but when it comes down to it: that child has their own autonomy. If you try to "control" a child, they will likely have one of two reactions: acquiescence or resistance. They will learn to adapt your behaviors/lessons, or they will oppose you and defy your attempts. Ultimately, we can only control our own actions and reactions. We cannot foist our will upon another, even if they're too young to understand different.

The lessons in this book reflect back on control often. Although you get little of his perspective, the boy's father tried to control him prior to the inciting incident that opened the book. Jess, the protagonist, picks up his baton and tries to teach/control the kid thereafter. But they both end up at the same conclusion: he cannot be controlled. And what does that mean?

Fear is too big a thing to ever control. You can heal the symptoms, but can you ever fully relieve yourself of fear? And a child fears most of all, because they have no prior experience, no context with which to understand the world. For instance, I have 30 years of life to help me navigate new challenges daily. Kiddo had five. Less, considering memories aren't exact when you're too young for words. So he, rightfully, feared everything. And what happens when your fears are a trigger for even scarier things? Well, that's what this book is about!

"When the Wolf Comes Home," follows stressed-out, mid-crisis Improv-wannabe, Jess, as she finds a scared young boy and attempts to protect him from the real world (and fantasy) dangers that follow them. Among said dangers are wolves, monsters, animated characters, and hat-bats. Levels of danger vary. Soon enough, she comes to realize that the danger might not be "after them," after all, but running alongside them. The boy has powers. Jess, an ill-equipped waitress and reluctant caregiver, is thrown into a helluva situation. She adapts by using the number one rule of improv: Yes and.

Nat Cassidy's writing is full of visually complex ideas and creations. It's never hard to picture what's on the page (or spoken through the radio, in my case), because Cassidy is so descriptive and exact. Every confusing notion is followed by a simile or metaphor that knocks you right back into the world of Jess and her charge. The characters and set-ups are if not perfect, then sooo satisfying when they pay off. The characters are fully realized, fully themselves. They could walk off the page and you wouldn't bat an eye (not just because of the fantasy powers depicted).

The ending is dark. Shocking, and hard to read. This isn't a happily-ever-after story. But if you read this, you'll understand that there really couldn't be one? The themes of the story are too complex, too real for this book to end anywhere close to happy. This story contains a lot of death. As depicted on the cover, no one will be sparred. I enjoyed this book a lot, but it was very hard. Very difficult and heavy. And I say all this with the disclaimer that I do not have/want children. I do not feel the maternal instincts indicative of my gender, feelings that may affect many audience members. Be warned, this is a heavy book.

When the Wolf Comes Home
Nat Cassidy
04/22/2025
MacMillan Audio

Ok, now I see why this is one of the most anticipated horror books of the year. I had zero idea going in what this book was going to be about. The only thing I knew was that everyone loved it. Hot damn! = And PPPPPlease read all the way to the end to the forward. It is worth it.

This book is a story about fear, the unknown, what you cannot see, what you think you see or know and what happens when fear controls you. Each page is full of horror, heart and a little humor sprinkled in making a heck of a wild ride that you will not forget. Loaded with visceral, gore-laced scenes and unrelenting action, When the Wolf Comes Home is a book that readers will be talking about for a long time to come.

Read the blurb – that’s all Im going to say. There are layers of things to take apart in this book – and whether you are a horror fan or not – you should read this.

Damn, watch out folks, Nat Cassidy is coming for the crown! This is the golden age of horror novels and its books like "When the Wolf comes home" that really solidifies that sentiment. This book is incredible. I didn't read anything about it going into it, and I was so surprised by what it was actually about vs. my assumptions. This is a book about fear and when we let it consume us, and that's pretty much all I'm going to say about the plot. The action starts pretty quickly in this novel and doesn't slow down. I'm not always big on a road trip story, but it worked just so well with this book.

Not only does Cassidy blend humor into his horror so masterfully, but he also will grab your heart and hold it in a chokehold. I was laughing and crying in between all the horrifying, bloody scenes. The characters are so real and developed. Cassidy consistently has also created such great female characters, and Jess is no expection.

If you've read Cassidy before, you know each one of these books are so personable to him (I always look forward to reading his afterwords on his books) and its so clear to tell since his books have such heart to them. This book should be dedicated to anyone with daddy issues.

I listened to the audiobook . The narrator did an amazing job at emoting the lines perfectly. I'd definitely recommend giving it a listen. There were pieces of it that Nat Cassidy narrates himself, which I always love.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mcmillan Audio for the audio arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nat Cassidy quickly became one of my favorite authors, after I read Mary last year. He’s a fantastic storyteller, and I want to read everything that he writes.

I loved it. A masterful tale of fear, When the Wolf Comes Home held me within its jaws from the start.

While both thrilling and scary, the beauty of this story lies deep within its heart. The MC’s anxiety and self-doubt resonated deeply with me, and I was incredibly moved by the story as a whole. When the Wolf Comes Home examines the impacts of trauma, grief, and complicated family relationships on our lives.

I was simultaneously holding my breath in suspense and bawling my eyes out while reading this terrifying and poignant novel.

What to expect:
🐺 fast-paced, thrilling action
🐺 emotionally charged
🐺 sprinkled with humor
🐺 a chase, a monster, twists, and gore

Helen Laser is phenomenal on audio. She’s a top narrator for me, and her performance is stellar. I loved that Nat also steps in to narrate as well.

As always, I deeply appreciated Nat’s author note. His personal insights and inspiration always add an even greater understanding and depth to his story.

I loved this book! So fast paced. I could not put it down. We follow Jess, a struggling actress, who discovers a five -year old runaway hiding outside her apartment. After a violent encounter with the boy's father, Jess and the boy find themselves on the run. The writing is both chilling and profound with jaw-dropping twists and gut-wrenching emotional depth.

The novel explores themes of fear, anxiety, and the legacy of parental failure, making it more than just a horror story. The character development is superb, particularly the relationship between Jess and the boy, which adds a layer of emotional complexity to the narrative. This is a must read for horror fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are my own.

OK. I guess I’m in the minority here, as I see a ton of 5 ⭐️ reviews. Don’t get me wrong… the writing was good. The characters strong. Just… not my cup of tea/coffee. 😬

Not. Yet. Released…. Due out on 4/22/25!!

Jessa is an aspiring actress, working at a diner. When a mishap occurs, she is given bathroom duties, and unfortunately for her, stabs herself with a used/dirty syringe! Being a RN myself, I shiver with this news!! 😮🫣

But, that’s just the beginning. It only gets worse from here…

When she goes home she finds a little boy hiding in the bushes… from his father… who apparently is insane, or something like that.

She RUNS with the boy, trying to protect him. But there’s something OFF about him. And the more time she spends with him, the more people die in their wake. A horrible, nasty death…

But Jessa begins to bond with kiddo. And she really tries to keep him safe…

I’m going to end it here, but just know there’s A LOT of death, gore, chasing… and a huge wolf-like creature involved. Also, there are A-LOT of Daddy issues raised in the book!
If this genre calls to you, don’t miss this one!

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.
Kudos to the author for the ‘Graphic Content’ warning, and the afterword. They were terrific and should not be missed!

#WhenTheWolfComesHome by #NatCassidy and narrated phenomenally by #HelenLaser.

***** THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! Look 👀 for it on 4/22/25!! *****

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

THANK YOU!!! To Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook!
I'll be honest, I didn't read the entire description when I requested this book. I never do. Sometimes descriptions give a little more info than I care to know.
So imagine my surprise when a REAL werewolf appears and not the metaphor I was expecting.
I am so glad I continued to listen.
This was wild!
Please, I beg you, listen all the way to the end. Past the end of the story to the authors afterward and acknowledgements. This book will make so much more sense. I actually teared up.
Excellent narration!
And Nat Cassidy has a new fan!

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🐺 Horror that bites AND makes you laugh

**Note:** Listened to this as an audiobook and HIGHLY recommend that format - the narration takes this already wild ride to another level!

Y'all, I devoured this book like a werewolf at an all-you-can-eat buffet! Nat Cassidy has somehow crafted a horror novel that had me white-knuckling my blanket while also howling with laughter. This isn't just horror - it's COMEDIC horror done so right that I'm still processing the emotional whiplash.

The premise seems simple: Jess (struggling actress, relatable queen) finds a little boy hiding in the bushes, and suddenly they're running from his seriously unhinged father. But then we discover this kid can manifest his fears into REALITY, and honey, things go from zero to blood-soaked FAST.

The vibes we're tracking:
🔪 Gore that doesn't feel gratuitous
😂 One-liners that made me snort-laugh
🤯 A twist ending that DESTROYED me
🎬 Literally screaming "MAKE THIS A MOVIE" the entire time

The pacing is relentless - Cassidy doesn't give you a moment to catch your breath. One minute you're giggling at some perfectly timed dark humor, the next you're hiding under your blanket because WHAT WAS THAT NOISE?

That ending though? I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor. Talk about a sucker punch I didn't see coming!

If you're looking for predictable werewolf tropes, look elsewhere. This is something far more unsettling that burrows into your brain and sets up camp. It's fresh, it's disturbing, and I'm officially declaring this my favorite horror read of the year.

Someone please option this for a 2027 movie release because I need to see this play out on screen while simultaneously watching through my fingers.

First I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was very excited to have the opportunity to listen to this book early as this was one of my most anticipated releases. When the Wolf Comes Home is frightening, intense, gruesome, sad, and incredibly fast-paced. I devoured this book (pun intended lol) and it easily one of my favorite horror books. Cassidy balances the gore and feeling of unease with the character exploration and tenderness between the main protagonists throughout this book extremely well.

Macmillan Audio ALC
Another stellar horror novel by Nat Cassidy. I love how he takes a certain topic/theme and just writes such a unique and scary story around it. The way this is structured around fear gave the book such an intriguing, suspenseful plot. I was instantly drawn into Jess's world and her desire to save a five year old boy from his father. I don't think you should go into this one with much knowledge because of how great he is at setting up a plot - let yourself be surprised on where this is going. I also appreciated the author's note at the end. I really like how he explores these topics in his novels. It was excellent, and I can't wait to see what he does next.
I think Helen Laser is such a great narrator for horror because she manages to capture all of the emotions and fear in her performance.

To be quiet honest, I can not express in words how much I loved this book. It's a book that explores grief, complicated family relationships, how well we know our parents, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. At no point was I bored with the narrative, and I came to care about these characters so much that I absolutely did cry real tears at the end.
The other thing that made me cry was the author's afterword, which is read by Cassidy himself. He talks about the book itself, but also his own father and part of what drove him to write this. It was so touching and hit at the right time for me. All the stars!
I truly believe that Cassidy is going to end up with the horror greats. I have loved all of his books so far and I am so looking forward to seeing what else he can do.

This is a horror book that reads more like a mystery/thriller. It does have some violence and gruesome elements but it definitely has excellent character development. I felt it was highly symbolic comparing anxiety/fear and grief/depression to be monsters we deal with. It’s honestly probably the deepest horror novel I’ve ever read.

I was fortunate to be gifted an ALC from NetGalley and MacMillan audio and the audiobook was excellent. I enjoyed the acting in doing the voice of kiddo (age 5). Kiddo was written very well and there is an interesting twist at the end. The author actually jumps in at the middle which is very unique and clever.

Please do not skip the authors note at the end- really a part of the story. If you are a horror fan or if you are just trying to be more adventurous in your reading choices, this is a great read.

Wow. Very original, very entertaining, and I can't wait to read more by this author as it was my introduction to this author. A complete five star review from me.

I loved this book. Very different from anything I’ve ever read. I loved Jessa, she was brave and kind. Her character development was unmatched. Having your life take unexpected turns is not ideal but Jessa handled it pretty well. The little boy was adorable and I felt so bad from him. His abilities were a bit scary but so intriguing. Thank you Netgalley & Nightfire for this ARC

2.75 Stars

I enjoyed the first half of this book, but the ending fell flat. I was also confused about the ending and had to listen to it again. I think the cover of the book was misleading. I was expecting more of a book about a werewolf. The werewolf in this book didn't appear that much considering how long the book was. Also, no character development on him. We did however get to know Jess and the kid really well. Lots of daddy issues in the book which I don’t mind. I love a good book about family dynamics no matter how messed up. I was often confused about which direction the book was going to go. I expected a way better/different ending. Pro’s - I enjoyed the authors writing style and I the afterword with him.

‘Knowledge of behavior you can’t alter is the heaviest kind of knowledge, isn’t? Knowing you’re a shapeshifter, it’s harder to remember what shape is you in the end.’ -Nat Cassidy.
Such a strange and weird book, yet oddly entertaining. The writing is so descriptive, it paints such an immersive story for the reader. I became attached to many of the characters and felt for them in so many ways…Kiddo and Jess are the main characters, but Cookie was fun and quirky and I loved her. Jess was strong and I appreciated her quick growth into a mother figure for Kiddo. There is too much to say about Kiddo, most I cannot even put into words. 🖤
The ending left me confused and unsatisfied at first, but I think this book can be interpreted in many different ways. After listening to the last chapter twice and listening to the afterword, it helped with clarity. For me, this book revolves around fear and trauma and ultimately, how one deals with those. Even though it’s a strange book (for me), I’m sad it’s over.
I recommend this book for readers that enjoy gore, sci-fi, and books that make you think.

The narrator was wonderful! Easily 4.5⭐️

Some favorite quotes from the book:
“Just a second of belief untainted by experience, is that possible? To live in this world and not scare yourself to death?… How do you not call forth the things that will devour you & give them teeth, how do you protect? Especially when the danger is you?”

“How do you fight your fears?”

This book was insane, thought provoking, entertaining, and unique! A must read for monster horror lovers… but also for those who search for the resemblance to real life in these horrors.

His afterward, yet again, spoke so deeply to me that, yet again, I was brought to tears.
I know these must take so much out of him emotionally, BUT I am desperately hoping he “shapeshifts” to write a non-fiction book. A memoir. My heart needs it. ❤️‍🩹