Talk about a wild ride!!! So many twists. A definite recommend.

Thanks publisher and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. I love the plot, family secrets and possible danger from the ones you love. When there is money involved, some people will do anything. A very emotional read.

I thought this was a really good book. I thought the siblings were very realistic in how they argue and one always feeling slighted by the others. Given the circumstances, I'd have probably been like Annabelle. I thought the story flowed easily. I did manage to figure out the who, what, and why around halfway through; however, all the little twists toward the end just helped piece everything together. Was this a perfect book? No. But I do feel it was worth the read and I will be sure to leave my review and recommendation. Thanks Netgalley and Inkubator for the opportunity to read this for my honest review. I actually give this 4.5⭐️ but this doesn't allow for half star ratings.

Theo Baxter always writes psychological thrillers that keep you mesmerized and waiting for the next one.

I gotta say, this book is a pretty wild ride. The story pulled me in right from the start, with its mix of humor, drama, and those moments that really hit you hard. The author’s writing style is super easy to grease, making it a fun and relatable read. I appreciated how he kept things real, especially with the characters’ struggles and the way they try to figure themselves out in the chaos of it all.

One thing I’d say, is that some parts felt a little rushed, like the pacing could’ve been slowed down a bit to really dive into certain scenes or emotions, and build on the characters perspective. It would’ve made the story even more impactful. Still, overall, it’s a solid book that’s great for anyone looking for something entertaining with a bit of depth. Definitely worth a read if you’re into stories about identity and figuring things out.

The Marconi family are well known for their wealth and prestige. Shortly after the sorrowful death of their father, and the cruel murder of their mother, the three Marconi siblings -Isobel, Annabelle and Harold -were shocked by a very unexpected revelation during their parents’ double funeral. Apparently it turned out that their father had an affair years ago with a woman called Mary and they have a half-brother they never knew about - David. Consequently the siblings made the needed rearrangements regarding the inheritance, and also they insisted on inviting Mary and David to stay with them at the Marconi family ranch. Isobel and Harold seemed to accept the life-altering events easily, however
Annabelle was dismayed and she was suffering to forgive their father and to acknowledge the presence of the new family members. The three siblings found themselves facing life threatening dangers in a very short time and it felt impossible to know who exactly should be accused, but it was obvious that someone was committed to erase their existence . Oscillating between trying to save herself and her siblings, and figuring out the identity of their enemy, Annabelle Macroni was in a constant dilemma and there was no one to trust. In my opinion, this was a decent read, although nothing about it particularly appealed to me, except seeing the siblings’ bond between Annabelle and David being strengthened. Unfortunately, the plot was too predictable for me, so I wasn’t at all surprised by the turn of events.
Also, at many occasions I felt frustrated due to the stubbornness of Isobel and Harold and their inclination to trust anyone, including relatives and strangers, but to never trust their own sister Annabelle.

Grief? Check. Family drama? Check. Total chaos at a funeral? DOUBLE CHECK.

Annabelle Marconi is already reeling from her dad’s death when the police show up with another gut punch, her mom’s been killed in a hit-and-run. And just when you think the drama is maxed out, a mystery woman shows up at the funeral with her son and casually drops the “oh btw, we’re your secret family” bomb.

Turns out dear old dad had a whole other life, and now Izzy (bless her sweet heart) invites these strangers to live at the family ranch. But Annabelle’s instincts are on high alert, and honestly? Her instincts are bang on. Strange things start happening, Izzy suddenly falls mysteriously ill, and Annabelle starts to feel like she’s being watched. The tension builds like a pressure cooker, and soon it’s clear that Mary and David might not be who they seem.

This book hooked me from the first chapter. It’s fast-paced, filled with creeping dread and juicy secrets, and the suspense had me flipping pages late into the night. Yes, some twists were a bit predictable, but I didn’t care, I down for all the drama.

If you love fast-paced thrillers full of betrayal, buried secrets, and lots of family drama and chaos, then this might be a really good pick for you.

You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter grabs you immediately, drawing you into a whirlwind of twists and dynamic characters that keep you turning pages. The perfect mix of suspense and intrigue leaves you craving more with every chapter.

Annabelle Marconi’s father died from cancer. Then, as she and her siblings are planning his funeral, her mother is killed in a hit and run.

At the double funeral, the Marconi siblings notice a woman and her wheelchair-bound son, whom they don’t recognize.

The siblings go to meet the couple and discover that the woman was actually their father’s mistress, and the young man is their half-sibling.

Of course, the Marconis have a lot to be skeptical about, especially when their parents were worth billions.

Still, they let the woman and her son move into the family ranch.

Is that a good idea?

You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter was giving me Yellowstone vibes.

But, overall, I didn’t like the characters, and I couldn’t stand the constant mentions of “staff” doing things for them.

I gave it three stars.

I found this book not up to his usual writing, with a gripping plot.
This didn't catch my attention.and make me want to read. it.
Annabelle, Harold, Isobel welcome Mary and her son David, didn’t
ring true. Over all, it was a good read. and I recommend the author
other books he has written.
Thanks to. Net Galley and Inkubator for the arc copy.

Three siblings have lost both parents in a matter of days. A woman and her son enter their lives claiming to be the mistress and son of their late father. The siblings welcome them into their home, but things aren’t really as they seem.

This is a new author for me. This was a fast read with many twists. However it fell a little short for me. The siblings made immature and unrealistic decisions, the final twist was obvious about half way through the book and the characters were flat. I was hoping for an immersive psychological thriller but was unfortunately disappointed. 2.75 rounded to 3 stars.

Thank you to Inkubator and NetGalley for the arc in return for an honest review.

Three siblings, Annabelle, Isobel, and Harold Marconi are grieving the tragic loss of first their father from cancer, and then their mother in an awful hit and run accident. At the double funeral for both of their parents, the siblings are stunned when a woman named Mary and her son David show up and announce that David is their half brother from an affair that their father had. Grappling with this startling revelation, the siblings make Mary and David an offer, stay at the estate with them while the estate is settled and the money from the will gets distributed. Annabelle is uneasy with this arrangement however. She can't help but feel like something is ... off with these strangers. Then when she keeps seeing the same car following her and her sister gets violently ill. Annabelle knows she must figure out the truth about who these people really are.

I though that this was just an okay thriller but it definitely had more of a YA feel to it. The first part caught my attention but I had a hard time with some of the choices the characters made. It felt like they all were misplacing their trust and it had me suspending my disbelief a little too much. I also would have liked more character development. It felt like the characters were very one dimensional and flat. I'm sure that a lot of people will love this for the emotional aspects and the quick, fast paced story, but this one wasn't for me. I am usually a fan of Theo Baxter's writing so I will definitely give the next book he writes a shot!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Theo Baxter, and Inkubator Books for this ARC!! Publication date is June 22nd 2025.

In You Don’t Know Me, Theo Baxter delivers a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the complexities of grief, betrayal, and buried family secrets. When an unexpected stranger shows up at their parents’ funeral claiming to be an illegitimate sibling, the surviving children are thrust into emotional chaos. While one sibling is eager to welcome the newcomer and his mother, the others are more cautious—suspicion grows as unsettling events begin to unfold. Baxter expertly captures the vulnerability of a family in mourning, making them ripe targets in a mystery that keeps readers questioning motives and alliances. With taut pacing and well-drawn characters, this suspenseful story keeps you guessing until the very end. Another standout from Theo Baxter.

I loved Theo Baxter’s other book “I Remeber You” so I had assumed I would love this one too. Unfortunately I didn’t.

This story is about 3 wealthy siblings who have lost both their parents. After the death of their mother, a random woman claims her son shared the same father as them and they let her stay with them. They also had trouble settling the inheritance with another family member.

All of the characters were flat and I didn’t like any of them. They seemed too immature for their ages and bickered a lot. The story itself was very unrealistic and had too much family drama for my personal liking. The plot twist were predictable and not shocking. I also didn’t like how it ended.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 🌟 rounded up

You Don’t Know Me by Theo Baxter is a quick, twisty thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish. The premise is intriguing—someone from the past shows up, and suddenly everything unravels. I love that kind of setup, and this one delivered on the suspense.

The writing is easy to get into, and the pacing moves along quickly. There are a few good twists, and while I saw some of them coming, others still surprised me. It’s definitely one of those “just one more chapter” books.

That said, I didn’t fully connect with the characters, and a few parts felt a little far-fetched or rushed. I wish there had been a bit more emotional depth or complexity, but for a fast-paced, popcorn-style thriller, it worked.

Overall, a fun and entertaining read that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for something suspenseful without being too heavy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator for the ARC!

A murder mystery within a disjointed family. Fairly obvious who the culprits were but an interesting story nonetheless.

You Don’t Know Me had all the ingredients for a gripping psychological thriller, but unfortunately, it felt more like a paint-by-numbers suspense novel than a truly memorable read. The plot was fast-paced, yes, but also quite shallow, relying heavily on overused tropes and predictable twists that didn’t pack much punch.

The biggest letdown? The characters. They felt more like outlines than fully developed people. Their motivations were murky at best, and emotional depth was practically nonexistent. I kept waiting for someone, anyone, to show real growth or surprise me, but it never happened. The main character in particular was frustratingly one-dimensional, making it hard to care about the high-stakes drama unfolding around them.

This book might scratch the itch for a quick, uncomplicated read, but if you’re looking for layered storytelling or complex characters, this one probably won’t stick with you after the final page. Not terrible, but not terribly memorable either.

You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter is a fast-paced psychological thriller that blends mysterious family secrets with relentless suspense.

The novel follows Annabelle Marconi, who, after the tragic deaths of her parents, discovers a hidden half-brother, David. And soon tensions start building up with eerie occurrences around them.

It's more or less good. The story is packed with gripping twists and high-stakes drama.

Gets kind of unbelievable at times, though, as how a character of such rich family could be that reckless. Plus, they kept talking about maintaining their family image as if heartless. May be, the riches are like that. I won't know.

I had my doubts who's behind that at around 50-60% of the book, and glad I got it right.

Just happy that the book delivered on its promise, though. It created intense tension. If you're in the mood for a thriller that keeps you questioning everyone, this one might just pull you in!

what does family mean? does family mean you do trust them, or have to trust them? sometimes love isnt going to stop from revenge and harm being sought because really they dont know you.
Annabelle is heir to a family fortune. the family empire belongs to her and her siblings after the tragic loss of her parents. but out of the mist comes a man, a man who claims to be their half brother.
but this isnt just family drama of a new siblings. oh no, much darker things are going to come there way. one leaving them and us questioning everyone and everything. and not just with this new interloper.
there is so much atmosphere and emotional tension just seething through this book. and it doesnt let up. you dont know why you are so tense but you are so by the end you are almost taught with it,ha. but in the best way. this book had me gripped and i need to know how it was going to play out.

First, thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC!

What can I say, another great Theo Baxter! At this rate, he surely will soon be one of my auto-buy authors, as well!

I have basically been reading this one in one sitting, seeing it was an easy read with just the right pace and a lot of twists and turns! Yes, maybe it was a little predictable, but that did not kill the fun in any way. In my opinion, at least.

4.5 stars from me for this one! very well done!