An incredible domestic thriller/suspense novel. Drew comes alive off the page as the most sinister father and husband with a bottomless rage constantly simmering under the surface. The houseboat adds to the feelings of danger and isolation, and you find yourself rooting hard for Peggy. This was a truly unique story and I couldn't read it fast enough.

Thank you to #NetGalley and to Atria Books for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve got to say, I was REALLY excited for this one ever since I read the synopsis. The prologue reels readers in. The beginning (about 33%) is rough. My hope for this book started to dwindle the more I read. It’s hard to connect with the main characters and the writing is very elusive, almost feels up to the readers interpretation.

Not much has been going on so far and I’m eager to see if this book can turn my feelings around because right now I’m just feeling meh. Like when are things going to actually happen?! It’s just sad right now. You feel bad for Peggy and Samson.

77% done and I feel like literally not a damn thing has happened. Does not feel like a thriller. I hate Drew and I’m not a fan of how the writer has him talking. Just feels odd. Waiting for something, ANYTHING, to happen but it just hasn’t. Same old same old. Peggy wants to run away with Samson but doesn’t have money. If I hear about not having gas one more time from Drew I’m going to scream. I want to just finish this book already.

The last chapter and epilogues were the best part of the book. I wouldn’t categorize this as a thriller, but more so a book about domestic violence.

I had very high high hopes for this book and it just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. I didn’t feel the thrill or like I was on the edge of my seat, the characters were a bit annoying and didn’t feel fully developed. I felt like the book was going on and on sayin the same thing over but not really going anywhere. Would not recommend this book to friends and family.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. This book made me constantly uncomfortable and angry. But I couldn’t stop reading it. I felt terrible for the characters and needed to know what happened to them. I really enjoyed this book, but it’s a lot to stomach. Reader beware.

This book had me intrigued from the beginning. At first I was angry at Peggy for not standing up for herself and allowing her husband to mentally abuse her, but as the story went on, I felt myself understanding her decisions more.

Wow. Not having read a Will Dean novel before, I'll have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect. From the beginning, I was pulled into the story of Peggy, Sammy, and Drew. It was a story that has probably come to pass for so many families throughout time, with a different tale ending in much the same way. Or not.

Who do you turn to when everything isn't going the way it should? When you have no one in your corner? When those you love the most find it easy to just let you go? When a sliver of success impedes everything you've ever known? When you have that turn of fate that opens your eyes wide enough for the blindness to become clarity?

The story picked up the pace with each chapter and the characters were very well developed. Peggy was so easy to love and route for throughout this novel. Drew not so much. Sammy was hard to peg from the beginning. Facts came to light that left me skeptical, but with the help of a boat neighbor, I was brought to realize that things aren't always what they seem and evil never changes.

This book was one of those I had to take a few days to process completely before moving on, as it has continued to stick with me. I would definitely recommend reading Adrift, and I myself am off to read more of the author's work. Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of Adrift by Will Dean. It will pull you in and make your mind wonder what if...

Well, this is most certainly not a warm, happy family tale! Dark, disturbing, wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I still really enjoyed! We even know the bad guy from the start, but the story still grabs you! Drew, Peggy and their son, Samson live on a 300 ft boat on a canal. Drew is a controlling frustrated writer. Peggy has been secretly writing, and someone wants to buy her book. This is just among the many issues in this marriage. Drew becomes more and more abusive, Peggy becomes a bit more assertive, and the story goes from there. This is not your typical thriller from this author, but it is still suspenseful and riveting. Looking forward to more from Will Dean!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Will Dean and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of February 17, 2026.

The premise of this story is really, really good: a family who lives on a boat faces mysterious and dark challenges as their home is purposely moved deeper into the canal. Unfortunately, the book fell a little flat for me. enjoyed the characters and overall plot, but the pacing seemed a little slow and repetitive. don't think this should be classified as a thriller, to be honest, though it does have some suspenseful moments.

The biggest issue for me was the setting. I'm not sure why this book was set in America because there were so many British turns of phrase (example: "kit" instead of "uniform") and European references (example: chains on toilets). Plus, many of the characters spoke in a way that matches dialogue from other parts of the world. If that doesn't distract you, it's probably not a big deal. For me, it took me out of the story and made me wish it was set on a canal in England instead.

Overall, it was an interesting read. I've read good things about this author and will check out more of Dean's books so my opinion isn't based on one alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The story follows Drew, Peggy, and their son Sam. We start the book with Drew’s first chapter. And then the book skips ahead to his wife and 14 year old son’s perspectives. Drew has sold their home and moved them onto a boat. The boat is in rough shape and we follow the family as Drew increasingly isolates and manipulated them.
The bullying and psychological abuse was maddening and heart breaking. Will Dean’s writing had me feeling like I was right there in the book with them. I was so upset with all the bystanders in this book, because it’s a reminder that awful things like this have been endured. But the hope from the few that saw and cared, gave you hope and I was really rooting for Peggy. Beautifully written and thought provoking.

Thank you NetGalley and Will Dean for the ARC
This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last. The writing to me, started off a little slow but quickly had me emotionally invested. I was furious at some points of this book and i especially liked how we got the see into the different characters mind sets during certain things. The toxicity and level of mind games in this book was so believable . The fact that the characters could not see this as abuse is factual and the build up to the end i feel like was giving the reader the chance to see the steps it takes to try and end this treatment and even then … well read the book and find out Feb 17 2026 side note LOVE the cover but why did i feel seasick sometimes during the writing I could NOT live adrift lol 4 stars

Adrift - Will Dean

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Drew, Peggy and Samson live on a 300 square ft boat where food and power are scarce. Peggy and Samson walk on egg shells to appease him Drew. Drew is an aspiring author who hasn’t quite made it. Tensions rises when Peggy confesses she’s also been writing and a publishing house has offered to buy her book.

This is by far my favorite work by Will Dean.

This book evoked so much rage and tension. The gas lighting and abuse was almost unbearable, that is how well this story is written. This story was an emotional read that will stay with me for some time.

Thank you NetGalley and Will Dean for the ARC.

Wow! If you want an intense, dark and twisty psychological thriller then this book is for you! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! You follow a family of 3 in a boat on a canal. The story takes off from there. I would say there could be possibly some trigger warnings of DV for some. I overall really enjoy all this book! Thank you Mr. Dean!

This book went a direction I did not expect. The main emotions I felt throughout the entire book was rage and annoyance by what was going on. This story was just abuse throughout the entire book, domestic & bullying. I think that is what the author intended, I just personally was expecting a little more than what this gave, unfortunately. This has strong conversations and actions of certain topics so check your triggers. Also, I really enjoyed some of the important conversations. This just fell flat for me.

This book made me feel like I was being slowly pulled underwater. It’s not about big twists or everyone lying to each other — it’s worse than that. I knew who was guilty from the start. The tension wasn’t about discovering the truth but living inside a raw, painful family drama told from the husband’s, wife’s, and son’s perspectives.
Each viewpoint reveals how manipulation creeps through their lives — it’s obvious, harsh, and relentless. Not subtle at all. It’s a battle for control and trust that leaves you breathless. Watching the characters interact felt suffocating, like being trapped in a cycle they couldn’t break free from.

The emotions this book stirred up weren’t easy to shake. It didn’t offer comfort or answers — just raw, brutal honesty that sat heavy in my chest. It’s the kind of story that presses on your mind long after you put it down, leaving you tangled in the aftermath.

The tension and pain are constant and inescapable, wrapping around every moment until you feel it inside your own bones. This isn’t a story that lets you off the hook — it drags you deep into the heart of damage, and that weight stays with you.

The testament to a great story - an amazing writer - is not always one that provides an enjoyable escape for a few hours. It's not always a love story that leaves you giddy and kicking your feet. It's not always a suspense thriller with multiple twists and a surprise ending that you never could have predicted. And, it's not always one that resonates with your soul, leaving you in tears. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that sneak up on you, evoking such raw emotions from deep within - emotions that you didn't even know you could feel.

Adrift tells the story of narcissism and the negative (and, dangerous) toll it takes on a family. Andrew, an aspiring writer, is focused on penning his novel ... and, keeping his wife, Peggy, and teenaged son, Samson, as isolated and controlled as possible while living on a houseboat. As Andrew's hold on his family feels more threatened, he continues to move them farther away from civilization.

I have not been this triggered by a story since Lucinda Berry's Saving Noah. Having grown up in a household with a narcissistic father (albeit on a much smaller scale) and a mother who fought to keep the peace at every turn, I, of course, could draw parallels to my own childhood ... but, it was deeper than that. Every time I started to read, I found myself on that boat with this family - and, I desperately wanted off. This story was uncomfortable, sad and maddening. It made me feel unsafe and put me in a mood for days ... yet, I could not get enough.

Well done, Mr. Dean ... well done.

Woof as Amber would say….

A slow burn without any suspense. Drew is a controlling husband and Peggy just deals with it. They live on a boat that Drew moves around so nobody can talk to them. Samson is picked on at school and just takes it.
Really the only thing moving in this book is the boat. It was the same thing chapter after chapter.
The way Drew spoke drove me insane. “Rich are we now” “Talking to men behind me back, ah” “Stupid you think I is, ah” I felt like Drew was a speaking Yoda.
This writing style wasn’t for me and overall lack of suspense made this one drag.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity!

This book reminded me of The Last Thing to Burn by the same author and I loved this one just as much. I read it in two days- highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A compelling novel that at times was difficult to read. Mr. Dean captures the claustrophobia that Peggy and Samson feel so truthfully that I found it difficult to breathe. I ran through a gamut of emotions while reading this novel: anger, frustration, panic, dread, and also hope. Hope that they would fight back and run away from Drew. That’s what makes the novel so brilliant. Despite the bleak circumstances there is still hope for Samson and Peggy. Though it did drag a bit in the middle and the gaslighting felt like a noose around my neck, things pick up quickly once Peggy starts to push back against Drew’s abuse. The ending is inevitable, yet still riveting. One critique I do have is that while the story was told from both Peggy and Samson’s POV, I didn’t quite feel they were clearly defined. If the chapters hadn’t been labeled, I would’ve assumed it was one narrator. Other than that, it’s a well told and suspenseful story.

4.25 ⭐️

Will Dean’s signature writing style is distinct and atmospheric. He expertly builds tension through the character’s isolation and environment and uses the setting as though it were a character—oppressive, inescapable, and deeply symbolic. He even goes beyond the claustrophobic atmosphere by supporting his thrillers with psychological depth and slow burn suspense that builds a gradual simmering tension. Even more, rather than relying on nonstop action, Dean focuses on creating emotional tension through gaslighting, power dynamics, and psychological trauma.

Will Dean delivered a subtle, emotionally rich, and psychologically charged story in Adrift. Each character made the narrative less about shocking twists and more about how people break-and rebuild-under pressure. I especially appreciated how every character served a symbolic purpose, reinforcing themes of control, isolation, and resistance. What began as a quiet domestic situation slowly evolved into a chilling, claustrophobic thriller.

The characters were morally grounded yet deeply flawed, which added to their realism. Peggy wasn’t portrayed as a perfect victim; her doubts, fears, and hesitations made her arc all the more compelling. Drew’s menace didn’t come from cartoonish evil, but from the chilling authenticity of his emotional manipulation. Dean masterfully created a sense of suffocating isolation with just a few characters and a tightly confined setting. The tension simmered from within-driven by unspoken moments, shifting power dynamics, and internal unraveling.

I highly recommend Adrift to readers who appreciate Will Dean’s signature atmospheric suspense, character-driven storytelling, and psychological depth. It’s an ideal pick for fans of slow-burn domestic thrillers that linger long after the final page.

Once again, thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy of this immersive read by Will Dean in exchange for my honest review-I truly appreciate it!

This book was very unexpected 😳 I honestly requested this one on NetGalley because the cover looked eerie 👀 I’m a sucker for a good cover!

From the first “um seriously?!” moment in the first chapter, I was locked in and knew this book was up to no good 😬 The MMC is sooo unlikable!! One of those situations where you just want to punch someone through your Kindle 😂📱 Super frustrating and sad 💔 And as his behavior escalated, my anxiety level rose right along with it 😵‍💫😣

This book is a classic case of a toxic relationship 🧨 and the effects of gaslighting! Someone being made to feel like they’re going insane. 😣 The effects it has on children 💔 and how typically, if you feel uneasy about something and your gut tells you something isn’t right… you’re probably correct!😮‍💨

I had never heard of @willrdean before, but his storytelling and character development is something serious 👏🏼📖 Looking forward to reading more from him! 💪🏼 Definitely recommend this suspense-filled novel! 😱📚

#bookstagram #adrift #suspense #ARC #netgalley #gaslighting #manipulation #toxic #isolation #booklover

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster and the intensity that I felt deep into my bones! The suspense is there. The manipulation. The unfathomable decisions Peggy had to make, the experiences that Samson had to endure, and the haunting past of Drew....I just cant say enough how thought-provoking, heart-wrenching this book was. It is definitely unforgettable.

Overall, I gave this read 5 stars. I will touch your heart and keep you turning those pages.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc