Michele Packard has a strong writing style for the thriller genre, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the suspenseful atmosphere. I was engaged with what was happening and enjoyed the overall feel of this world. It had that psychological thriller element that I was looking for and was glad I got to read this.

Oh, this was a special one! It took dark to a different, multilayered level and family relations to their rawest extreme.
When an unidentified patient is admitted to a psychological ward in a state of deepest mental confusion, she is motivated to write. And so she writes about her memories of a particular time in her life. The chapters alternate between her memories and her parents’ voices. But something immediately felt off to me, like some information was being deliberately withheld, as if hiding a dark secret, much like in so many households.

Then, about halfway through the book, we get a second account of the exact same events. Darker, more twisted, but perfectly plausible. It seems to explain some of the gaps in the first account. But what is the real truth?

I don’t think everyone will love this book. It’s not exactly a popcorn thriller! It’s deep, it touches on very complex topics, and the repetition might put some readers off. But if you enjoy a well-layered dark psychological story with an edge, this might just be the shiny gem you’ve been looking for.

Personally, I absolutely loved it, and I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

Family Ties is a tense, layered psychological suspense that kept me guessing all the way through. The story begins with a mysterious patient whose disturbing behavior and journal entries raise more questions than answers, and I found myself just as drawn in as Dr. Teresa Brock, who is desperate to uncover the truth. Every new detail added another twist, and I loved how the book blurred the lines between reality, delusion, and manipulation. I enjoyed reading it because it felt like being dropped into a puzzle I couldn’t put down, and the atmosphere kept me turning the pages late into the night

What in the world did I just read!!! What happened, oh my goodness! I’ll always wonder what really happened!

I love how this book was written in 3 different voices and then in two different versions. It was super interesting to follow it. Maybe the second version, I read less detailed since it was similar, but I was so drawn to read this book! I read it in 2 sittings! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC!

this is one of those hit you in the nerves of your mind kind of books. you are instantly intrigued by the blurb. and then it leads to you questioning things. questioning the woman who has come into this hospital with very little to go on. shes held by the Psyche's in order to get a deeper understanding of what could be wrong with her and who exactly she might be.
shes asked to try and write it down, what she remembers of herself and life so the professionals can get a better picture. but are they, are we reading truths. i found myself conflicted at this point. there are many mental illness that can lead some people not to believe the narrators or what they might have gone through whether its actually "reality" or not. but i stuck with it anyway and trusted the author would play to that a stigma and im so glad i did. i love these kind of emotional and psychological to the max books. when done well they are my favourites.
this book tossers and turns inside your brain until you are delighted lol. because that means the book is brilliant, for me in means its had me in its grips. and it did grip me. i was tense and held in suspense the whole way through.
what is true about this woman and what is due to this poor woman's mental health struggles. its up to the staff and one doc in particular to find out more.
i loved trying to figure out my own theories on this book. i loved trying to see into the world of this woman and figure out which parts were true. and then little clues she gave led me to thinking a whole lot of other things.
this was a great back and id recommend it to all. there lots of deeper levels to this book and i thought it explored that really well via this plot.
the author held you tight to their story and it all felt so well thought out and was just so cleverly laid out for us.
i loved this book. its one of those i want to now type in a search engine "similar to?"

Okay, this book had me playing detective in my own head the whole time! 🕵️‍♀️ Family Ties is a wild ride through secrets, lies, and a psychiatric ward that feels way too real. I couldn’t stop reading because just when I thought I had it figured out—bam!—another curveball smacked me in the face. It’s creepy, twisty, and totally addictive. If you love stories that mess with your mind and keep you second-guessing everything, this is your next binge read. 😱📖

Who would love this book? I truly think this book is for anyone. It is definitely a psychologically suspenseful story with a mystery to solve. It is also a book about family dynamics, relationships, and the psychology of the human mind. It is a great read if you are looking for something new, exciting, and novel. This is a different kind of book for the writer, but you will find the same quality storytelling and writing that the author consistently delivers to her readers.

Oh me! This book sucks you in and keeps hold! When an unidentified woman is admitted to a psych ward, the staff is bumfuzzled, she is not making any sense. As Dr Brock digs in she is determined to find answers. This was a stark harrowing psychological thriller. The ending will leave you breathless. This is perfect for the approaching spooky season.