What do you think?
Rate this book
The Family Man
You take ONE risk. Now, those you love must pay …
Emma thought she could trust her husband, Dom. She thought he would always look after her and their daughter Daisy….
Then one reckless act ends in two innocent deaths – and Dom’s family becomes the target of a terrifying enemy.
There’s nowhere to hide. They’re on the run for their lives. And if Dom makes one more wrong move, he won’t have a family left to protect...
372 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2016
11 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 3, 2016
I received a copy of The Family Man through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to T.J. Lebbon and to Avon Publishers for the opportunity.
"A bird of prey circled on thermals high above."
As in the complications of life, it is difficult, time and again, to determine who is actually the predator and who is actually the prey.....roles that we may ourselves play from both sides of the street.
Dom Morgan is an avid cyclist out in the countryside of Monmouthshire with his friend, Andy Holson. The two enjoy each other's friendship and engage in the "what if" scenario while drinking coffee in an outside cafe. They plan the perfect crime and escape.....and escape is the operative word here. The two friends open the door to a monstrous evil. And it is coming after them in full horrendous force as they are dropped into a cesspool of unimaginable happenings.
The guilty swim in that cesspool along with the innocent.
Enter: Jane Smith and Holt who arrive with a Glock 17 in hand and a bag of tricks. Who are they and are they predators on which side of the street? Smith and Holt have their own set of backstories. "The grief was not tempered, the rage not calmed."
T.J. Lebbon writes of a man's decision on a warm, sunny day that jeopardizes all that he knows and all that he holds dear. His dark storyline is relentless and the breathless chase is on. The character development is deep and many of them are deserving of a smackdown on all sides. You'll know exactly what I mean as you turn the pages on this one. Intense, brutal, and unforgiving is what The Family Man evokes. You're in for one wild emotion-laden ride.
"A bird of prey circled on thermals high above."
As in the complications of life, it is difficult, time and again, to determine who is actually the predator and who is actually the prey.....roles that we may ourselves play from both sides of the street.
Dom Morgan is an avid cyclist out in the countryside of Monmouthshire with his friend, Andy Holson. The two enjoy each other's friendship and engage in the "what if" scenario while drinking coffee in an outside cafe. They plan the perfect crime and escape.....and escape is the operative word here. The two friends open the door to a monstrous evil. And it is coming after them in full horrendous force as they are dropped into a cesspool of unimaginable happenings.
The guilty swim in that cesspool along with the innocent.
Enter: Jane Smith and Holt who arrive with a Glock 17 in hand and a bag of tricks. Who are they and are they predators on which side of the street? Smith and Holt have their own set of backstories. "The grief was not tempered, the rage not calmed."
T.J. Lebbon writes of a man's decision on a warm, sunny day that jeopardizes all that he knows and all that he holds dear. His dark storyline is relentless and the breathless chase is on. The character development is deep and many of them are deserving of a smackdown on all sides. You'll know exactly what I mean as you turn the pages on this one. Intense, brutal, and unforgiving is what The Family Man evokes. You're in for one wild emotion-laden ride.
August 30, 2016
This is a really great thriller that kept my attention throughout. Dom Turner is a great husband, wonderful father and is happy with his lot in life, but you never know what will happen when you wake up of a morning and what the day may hold. Unfortunately Dom will make a decision that will change not only his life but also that of his family. Once this decision has been made, Dom and his family are now running for their lives. The Family Man is very a thrilling, fast paced read that will take you in and not let go until the end. Highly recommended.
August 19, 2016
I wasn't wild about the premise with this one but am becoming such a fan of Lebbon's work I figured I'd give this a shot. Pleased to say what could have been a tragically ordinary thriller was elevated into something far greater.
So yeah, we've got a family who's sort of stuck in a rut, the dad who's "ordinary" and "boring." And then there's his mate who lives the enviable life, and who convinces this family man to participate in a small scale robbery. No one gets hurt, one and done, all of that jazz. Only it doesn't go to plan.
Does it ever?!?
From this point on, you're on a runaway freight train just trying to keep from being tossed from the tracks. Some fantastic character development, (personally I think Lebbon shines when dealing with the inner turmoils of a family trying to survive), beautifully constructed twists, and great settings. This pretty much has everything you'd want from a fast-paced thriller. Including some pretty nasty meanies.
Now I had no idea this was a sequel, of sorts, to a novel called The Hunt. While there are characters and references to their pasts, not once did I feel out of place by not having the previous knowledge of whatever came before. (I am, however, planning to pick up that first novel as well).
With a few moments that might have gone too far past the "just call the cops, already" realm of disbelief, this was overall a fantastic piece of work from an author who's at the top of his game. Highly recommended.
** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free review copy of the book. **
So yeah, we've got a family who's sort of stuck in a rut, the dad who's "ordinary" and "boring." And then there's his mate who lives the enviable life, and who convinces this family man to participate in a small scale robbery. No one gets hurt, one and done, all of that jazz. Only it doesn't go to plan.
Does it ever?!?
From this point on, you're on a runaway freight train just trying to keep from being tossed from the tracks. Some fantastic character development, (personally I think Lebbon shines when dealing with the inner turmoils of a family trying to survive), beautifully constructed twists, and great settings. This pretty much has everything you'd want from a fast-paced thriller. Including some pretty nasty meanies.
Now I had no idea this was a sequel, of sorts, to a novel called The Hunt. While there are characters and references to their pasts, not once did I feel out of place by not having the previous knowledge of whatever came before. (I am, however, planning to pick up that first novel as well).
With a few moments that might have gone too far past the "just call the cops, already" realm of disbelief, this was overall a fantastic piece of work from an author who's at the top of his game. Highly recommended.
** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free review copy of the book. **
August 3, 2016
The Hunt, the previous novel to this, I read in one huge gulp of a sitting and actually the same thing just happened so really, Mr Lebbon it could be said writes utterly banging unputdownable thrillers.
The first part of this story had me putting my hands over my eyes going NO NO JUST DON’T DO IT YOU FOOL whilst our main protagonist Dom considers a risky, unlikely and totally out of the blue plan from one of his friends. Then I spent the next part of the book hanging on by my fingernails whilst things took a terrible turn for Dom and suddenly his family are in mortal danger. Just goes to show, you should never trust your friends. Or something.
As for the last bit well. Killer. Loved it. So really the whole thing was terrific. Opening salvo to insanely exciting finish. Tis what a good thriller should be for sure. Plus the author sneaks some devilish little plot twists in there to keep you on your toes in case you thought you knew what was going on.
Addictive writing style, utterly absorbing story, if you need to actually sleep at night don’t start this one late. Thats all really.
Highly Recommended
The first part of this story had me putting my hands over my eyes going NO NO JUST DON’T DO IT YOU FOOL whilst our main protagonist Dom considers a risky, unlikely and totally out of the blue plan from one of his friends. Then I spent the next part of the book hanging on by my fingernails whilst things took a terrible turn for Dom and suddenly his family are in mortal danger. Just goes to show, you should never trust your friends. Or something.
As for the last bit well. Killer. Loved it. So really the whole thing was terrific. Opening salvo to insanely exciting finish. Tis what a good thriller should be for sure. Plus the author sneaks some devilish little plot twists in there to keep you on your toes in case you thought you knew what was going on.
Addictive writing style, utterly absorbing story, if you need to actually sleep at night don’t start this one late. Thats all really.
Highly Recommended
September 1, 2016
Originally reviewed on Becca's Books.
I originally stumbled across T.J. Lebbon's books when his first novel The Hunt was published with Avon, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, when The Family Man was announced, I really couldn't wait to get my hands on another book by Lebbon. The cover, the title and the blurb hooked me right away and once I started reading, I knew I was in for a wild ride.
The Family Man focuses on Dom Turner. A lover of the simple things in life, Dom really didn't ask for a lot, although the differences between him and his best mate Andy were picked up on quite a few times. Andy was the opposite of Dom in a number of ways. More daring, more exciting, more promiscuous... And it was clear to see that in some aspects, Dom compared and would find himself lacking in a few departments. A friendship built on biking, banter and a few pints in the pub, they were good mates and the bond between them was easy-going, as you'd expect. Until, after a sunny afternoon of beer-infused playful planning and plotting following the surfacing of a ludicrous idea to rob the local post office, Dom and Andy suddenly find themselves preparing for something they hadn't, in a million years, seen coming. The consequences of which threaten the lives of the people they love dearest, especially for Dom, when his wife and daughter become involved too...
Pacey and adrenaline-pumping, The Family Man by T.J. Lebbon was a fantastic novel full of high-speed chases, knife-point scenarios and shoot-outs. From the very moment the seed of his and Andy's idea was planted within Dom's mind, I just knew that the author was about to take me on a journey full of twists and turns and boy, was I right. It had my heart going ten to the dozen, and some of the situations that arose within the plot were pretty damn gruesome, only ever adding to the overwhelming sense of terror that stuck around throughout the entirety of the novel. It was grim, descriptive and totally menacing, with a villain who, truth be told, scared the friggin' beejeezus out of me. As the novel progressed and Dom and Andy found themselves spiralling deeper and deeper into a nightmare of fear and danger, I couldn't bear to put this book down, as I was so desperate to remain with the characters and see where Lebbon would take them next. From hiding out to doing a runner, I was kept hooked right the way through and found myself gripping my Kindle to absolute death in suspense as the pages continued to turn.
The characters within T.J. Lebbon's The Family Man were fantastic and definitely made this story what it was. Dangerous, violent and incredibly dodgy, there was a real essence of fear surrounding them, and when certain truths were revealed and relationships surfaced that I had no idea existed, it only added to the excitement. Lip and Sonja were two particular favourites of mine, as well as Rose and Holt who I was thrilled to find reappear after first meeting them in Lebbon's first novel. With complex personalities and unique back stories, I loved learning about each of the characters in turn and learning what it was that drove them to make the decisions they'd made. It was such a fascinating book, as well as being action-packed enough to hold my attention from beginning to end. I also loved the focus on family. The relationships between Dom and his wife, as well as Dom and his daughter, sort of softened the hard-hitting nature of this book and, at times, warmed my heart completely, despite the nasty stuff that was going on around them.
All in all, a tremendously gripping novel, with a host of characters mean enough to have you quaking in your boots. Pacey, addictive and adrenaline-pumping, I loved this book from back to front and will of course be awarding it five of my bookish cupcakes.
I originally stumbled across T.J. Lebbon's books when his first novel The Hunt was published with Avon, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, when The Family Man was announced, I really couldn't wait to get my hands on another book by Lebbon. The cover, the title and the blurb hooked me right away and once I started reading, I knew I was in for a wild ride.
The Family Man focuses on Dom Turner. A lover of the simple things in life, Dom really didn't ask for a lot, although the differences between him and his best mate Andy were picked up on quite a few times. Andy was the opposite of Dom in a number of ways. More daring, more exciting, more promiscuous... And it was clear to see that in some aspects, Dom compared and would find himself lacking in a few departments. A friendship built on biking, banter and a few pints in the pub, they were good mates and the bond between them was easy-going, as you'd expect. Until, after a sunny afternoon of beer-infused playful planning and plotting following the surfacing of a ludicrous idea to rob the local post office, Dom and Andy suddenly find themselves preparing for something they hadn't, in a million years, seen coming. The consequences of which threaten the lives of the people they love dearest, especially for Dom, when his wife and daughter become involved too...
Pacey and adrenaline-pumping, The Family Man by T.J. Lebbon was a fantastic novel full of high-speed chases, knife-point scenarios and shoot-outs. From the very moment the seed of his and Andy's idea was planted within Dom's mind, I just knew that the author was about to take me on a journey full of twists and turns and boy, was I right. It had my heart going ten to the dozen, and some of the situations that arose within the plot were pretty damn gruesome, only ever adding to the overwhelming sense of terror that stuck around throughout the entirety of the novel. It was grim, descriptive and totally menacing, with a villain who, truth be told, scared the friggin' beejeezus out of me. As the novel progressed and Dom and Andy found themselves spiralling deeper and deeper into a nightmare of fear and danger, I couldn't bear to put this book down, as I was so desperate to remain with the characters and see where Lebbon would take them next. From hiding out to doing a runner, I was kept hooked right the way through and found myself gripping my Kindle to absolute death in suspense as the pages continued to turn.
The characters within T.J. Lebbon's The Family Man were fantastic and definitely made this story what it was. Dangerous, violent and incredibly dodgy, there was a real essence of fear surrounding them, and when certain truths were revealed and relationships surfaced that I had no idea existed, it only added to the excitement. Lip and Sonja were two particular favourites of mine, as well as Rose and Holt who I was thrilled to find reappear after first meeting them in Lebbon's first novel. With complex personalities and unique back stories, I loved learning about each of the characters in turn and learning what it was that drove them to make the decisions they'd made. It was such a fascinating book, as well as being action-packed enough to hold my attention from beginning to end. I also loved the focus on family. The relationships between Dom and his wife, as well as Dom and his daughter, sort of softened the hard-hitting nature of this book and, at times, warmed my heart completely, despite the nasty stuff that was going on around them.
All in all, a tremendously gripping novel, with a host of characters mean enough to have you quaking in your boots. Pacey, addictive and adrenaline-pumping, I loved this book from back to front and will of course be awarding it five of my bookish cupcakes.
July 13, 2016
Review of THE FAMILY MAN by T. J. Lebbon
Let me tell you this: I really enjoyed (and found frightening) THE HUNT, the first in this thriller series by prolific author T. J. Lebbon. But THE FAMILY MAN, second in the series (there are some continuing characters, even though each is otherwise a stand-alone), brings the sport to an entirely new level. THE FAMILY MAN is electrifying, a can't-put-down roller-coaster read. I literally raced through it as the characters, settings, and convoluted twisty plot kept me glued to the page.
Instead of sensible architect husband-father Chris Sheen in THE HUNT, a man who was randomly targeted for killing and acted to save his family, here we have Dom, an electrician, husband and father; but unfortunately feckless and too easily led by others, especially his "close friend" Andy. Andy scarcely has to mention a potential criminal enterprise, and Dom leaps in, no thought of prison or of the potential damage to his family and marriage. Unthinkingly he trusts Andy, whose secrets are very, very dangerous, to Andy himself and now to Dom, his wife Emma, and their daughter Daisy. Of course, there is collateral damage including other fatalities, because the secret Andy is hiding is explosive, a real killer.
Let me tell you this: I really enjoyed (and found frightening) THE HUNT, the first in this thriller series by prolific author T. J. Lebbon. But THE FAMILY MAN, second in the series (there are some continuing characters, even though each is otherwise a stand-alone), brings the sport to an entirely new level. THE FAMILY MAN is electrifying, a can't-put-down roller-coaster read. I literally raced through it as the characters, settings, and convoluted twisty plot kept me glued to the page.
Instead of sensible architect husband-father Chris Sheen in THE HUNT, a man who was randomly targeted for killing and acted to save his family, here we have Dom, an electrician, husband and father; but unfortunately feckless and too easily led by others, especially his "close friend" Andy. Andy scarcely has to mention a potential criminal enterprise, and Dom leaps in, no thought of prison or of the potential damage to his family and marriage. Unthinkingly he trusts Andy, whose secrets are very, very dangerous, to Andy himself and now to Dom, his wife Emma, and their daughter Daisy. Of course, there is collateral damage including other fatalities, because the secret Andy is hiding is explosive, a real killer.
March 9, 2021
Easy read, but bit far fetched.
August 23, 2016
Loved it. Lots of twists that had me on the edge of my seat and didn't see coming. Quite easy going Dom has a new friend Andy, who is confident slightly lonely seeking friendship. Andy suggests that they rob a post office. No one will lose out or get hurt and no one will ever suspect them. But after they robbed the post office things are never the same again for Dom and his wife or his daughter, they become chased by a gang running for their lives. And who is Dom's best mate Andy really? Reckless, innocent deaths occur. This is a high tension thriller with a sad ending. Highly recommend.
March 24, 2022
I persevered with this book, hoping it would get better....it didn't!
The beginning seemed promising but it rapidly went down hill. Rubbish plot, totally unrealistic, very disappointing.
The beginning seemed promising but it rapidly went down hill. Rubbish plot, totally unrealistic, very disappointing.
March 10, 2017
A really good fast paced thriller, even if a bit far fetched in places it is a real page turner.
August 20, 2016
The Family Man is just the sort of book I love! Dom is a dependable and might be considered boring. He is his own greatest critic, worried that his wife is bored with good old safe Dom. His friend Andy on the other hand is exciting, has a great physique compared to Dom's squashy middle and has the type of bachelor lifestyle that would make anyone jealous. What Dom doesn't realise is that his wife Emma likes Dom just the way he is. She likes their safe and happy lifestyle with their daughter. She doesn't trust Andy and she has good reason not to.
Andy and Dom meet regularly for bike rides. Keen cyclists, Dom plays it safe on the roads, much like his safe life, while Andy is a bit of a speed demon, taking risks. After their bike ride they like to stop in the village pub for a drink. Over one such drink the pair begin to joke about doing something illegal and what starts out as something they are playing about with in their heads, soon turns into reality with devastating and terrifying consequences that Dom could never have foreseen. Andy tries to reassure Dom that all will be ok but Dom is now suspicious that his friend is not who he seems. Dom has put himself and his entire family at risk and all to prove that he wasn't boring! And, in the background is the elusive and almost shadow-like character of 'Rose' who has her own tragic background but who has come back fighting.
The Family Man is literally a roller-coaster ride from start to finish. We've all had those conversations with friends whilst a little bit drunk. You know the ones that start off, 'Can you imagine what would happen if we did this...........' And, I think that's what makes this such a great story. It's not that far fetched! The idea that a quiet and normal man can have his head turned to commit a crime in a show of bravado fascinates me. T.J Lebbon has crafted a really interesting character in Dom. I particularly liked the fact that there were strong women in this book too who weren't afraid to kick a bit of ass!
This is an exciting read that will keep your nose stick in the book right until the very end. Great characters and great writing. Highly recommended if you like an edge of your seat thriller!
Andy and Dom meet regularly for bike rides. Keen cyclists, Dom plays it safe on the roads, much like his safe life, while Andy is a bit of a speed demon, taking risks. After their bike ride they like to stop in the village pub for a drink. Over one such drink the pair begin to joke about doing something illegal and what starts out as something they are playing about with in their heads, soon turns into reality with devastating and terrifying consequences that Dom could never have foreseen. Andy tries to reassure Dom that all will be ok but Dom is now suspicious that his friend is not who he seems. Dom has put himself and his entire family at risk and all to prove that he wasn't boring! And, in the background is the elusive and almost shadow-like character of 'Rose' who has her own tragic background but who has come back fighting.
The Family Man is literally a roller-coaster ride from start to finish. We've all had those conversations with friends whilst a little bit drunk. You know the ones that start off, 'Can you imagine what would happen if we did this...........' And, I think that's what makes this such a great story. It's not that far fetched! The idea that a quiet and normal man can have his head turned to commit a crime in a show of bravado fascinates me. T.J Lebbon has crafted a really interesting character in Dom. I particularly liked the fact that there were strong women in this book too who weren't afraid to kick a bit of ass!
This is an exciting read that will keep your nose stick in the book right until the very end. Great characters and great writing. Highly recommended if you like an edge of your seat thriller!
January 4, 2017
Phew, what a nail biter that was! Dom Turner is a somewhat boring but devoted family man. One day he is egged on by his cycling buddy, Andy, to rob a post office for a bit of excitement - dumb, I know. But Dom agrees in a moment of madness, he just wants to be a bit more cool and edgy. Of course it all goes horribly wrong and Dom and his wife, Emma, and daughter along with Andy are soon on the run from a vicious crime family.
As the net tightens it becomes apparent that Andy hasn't been entirely honest with the family about his motives or even who he is. It got quite harrowing as the story progressed and I wondered how on earth they could possibly survive. Andy enlists help from a shadowy woman who calls herself Jane Smith. She is actually Rose who also featured in Lebbon's The Hunt. There a most thrilling finale to the book.
As the net tightens it becomes apparent that Andy hasn't been entirely honest with the family about his motives or even who he is. It got quite harrowing as the story progressed and I wondered how on earth they could possibly survive. Andy enlists help from a shadowy woman who calls herself Jane Smith. She is actually Rose who also featured in Lebbon's The Hunt. There a most thrilling finale to the book.
May 6, 2017
First third was an interesting story-line and plot that draws two friends into a plan that could changes their lives for the better; but things unwind quickly after a pivotal event, and for me the story and characters then become typical action-type heroes with all the standard type stuff you get in car-chase bad-guy movies.
August 10, 2016
I did not finish this. I hate to be judgemental but I just didn't like Dom and while I understand people can sometimes make bad choices, his was beyond stupid. THe writing is fine, the pace moves quickly, but I did not like the characters. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
August 6, 2016
This one was not for me although the plot moved quickly I did not connect with the characters and really had to plough my way through
March 4, 2023
Not for me.
Tim Lebbon is at his best when he is writing books based on movies; at that he excels. I have not found a single book otherwise that I like.
The Family Man began with a shocking scene of torture and I thought that was it for a while but, no, it was a different kind of torture reading the ludicrous plot with two ludicrous characters - one a gung ho action man called Andy, and the other a paranoid wanna-be-an-action man called Dom, aka dumb.
I'm getting on in life, my biological time clock is running out, and I don't have time to waste on a book I know I will hate. You see, about 170 pages in, I decided to check other reviews, and what was generally said in positive and negative reviews didn't entice me to read on.
There are things in a writer's style that bug me. It's just a personal preference so, naturally, others will feel differently. It's when there is a scene which should be riveting but which is broken by the insertion of a distraction.
For example (making this up)...😂
The serial killer threw her on the floor and started to strangle her. She knew she was about to die and it was agony as she struggled to breathe. Over the killer's shoulder she could see the mantelpiece clock that her grandmother had left her in her Will. Sally had always loved this clock and it reminded her of the time when they were on a family holiday together in Spain only a few years ago when they had such a fun time, going swimming, relaxing on the beach...
Yeah, I know, bit extreme but this is the kind of thing I simply cannot stand.
Sorry Tim. I absolutely loved Alien and Predator books, and the 30 Days of Night which was an absolute cracker!
Tim Lebbon is at his best when he is writing books based on movies; at that he excels. I have not found a single book otherwise that I like.
The Family Man began with a shocking scene of torture and I thought that was it for a while but, no, it was a different kind of torture reading the ludicrous plot with two ludicrous characters - one a gung ho action man called Andy, and the other a paranoid wanna-be-an-action man called Dom, aka dumb.
I'm getting on in life, my biological time clock is running out, and I don't have time to waste on a book I know I will hate. You see, about 170 pages in, I decided to check other reviews, and what was generally said in positive and negative reviews didn't entice me to read on.
There are things in a writer's style that bug me. It's just a personal preference so, naturally, others will feel differently. It's when there is a scene which should be riveting but which is broken by the insertion of a distraction.
For example (making this up)...😂
The serial killer threw her on the floor and started to strangle her. She knew she was about to die and it was agony as she struggled to breathe. Over the killer's shoulder she could see the mantelpiece clock that her grandmother had left her in her Will. Sally had always loved this clock and it reminded her of the time when they were on a family holiday together in Spain only a few years ago when they had such a fun time, going swimming, relaxing on the beach...
Yeah, I know, bit extreme but this is the kind of thing I simply cannot stand.
Sorry Tim. I absolutely loved Alien and Predator books, and the 30 Days of Night which was an absolute cracker!
May 7, 2017
This is a very fast paced book, lots of chasing, hiding, doubting, the loving family man (hence the title) and his bad boy best friend thrown in, a bunch of sadists who love killing, plus a mysterious vigilante couple, it's all here. Not my cup of tea to be honest, I found Dom to be a bit of a twat, and as one of the main characters that marred my judgement of the book a little.
It dawned on me at the end that this is a follow up to The Hunt, but this is a totally separate story of its own.
It dawned on me at the end that this is a follow up to The Hunt, but this is a totally separate story of its own.
October 23, 2018
This wasn’t bad, nothing amazing but it kept me reading. A nice easy read that doesn’t need any effort to get through.
I have to say I did feel for the wife and daughter with how it went for them that said I liked the character of the husband, it was honest the way he made a dumb choice thinking it was a easy option not realising the massive consequences that it came with and he then did all he could to put it right, I liked that.
I have to say I did feel for the wife and daughter with how it went for them that said I liked the character of the husband, it was honest the way he made a dumb choice thinking it was a easy option not realising the massive consequences that it came with and he then did all he could to put it right, I liked that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2020
There was violence in the first few pages which should have warned me about how bad it would become. A lovely family threatened by carnage but a compulsive story so that you needed to know the outcome. If you like Martina Cole you’ll enjoy this!
May 23, 2017
For me, after a promising start this descended into something totally unbelievable
July 30, 2017
It was an ok book
July 6, 2018
Wow! Another terrific book - one of those that when you're not reading it, you're thinking about it and wondering what happens next. I would have given it 5 stars were it not for a sad ending.
November 27, 2018
Read in a day!!!! Awesome
Read
March 25, 2023Not quite for me, ended up skimming to finish and get gist of ending
October 20, 2023
Excellent
August 7, 2016
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com
3.25 Hearts We have all thought about dropping all the responsibility for a day and taking a walk on the wild side. It is in our DNA but Dom decides to actually do it with his friend Andy and the consequences turn the family’s life upside down.
The problem with this book is I never found a character I wanted to root for or even liked. Dom is a jerk who wants to be in charge of everything. He wants to show he is mister tough guy and can beat the crap out of anyone that comes along. The problem is we just don’t care and he comes off as an ass. His wife is a pushover doormat if you ask me. I felt sorry for her in more ways than one…. First being put into this trouble because of Dom but also because she has to deal with him as a husband.
The reason I didn’t give it 3 stars is because the thriller part is well pretty thrilling. It does keep you wondering what will happen.
The best way I can describe this book is as a guy’s book. I can see them enjoying the cinematic feel of it with the fighting and action packed moments but it just wasn’t for me.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
3.25 Hearts We have all thought about dropping all the responsibility for a day and taking a walk on the wild side. It is in our DNA but Dom decides to actually do it with his friend Andy and the consequences turn the family’s life upside down.
The problem with this book is I never found a character I wanted to root for or even liked. Dom is a jerk who wants to be in charge of everything. He wants to show he is mister tough guy and can beat the crap out of anyone that comes along. The problem is we just don’t care and he comes off as an ass. His wife is a pushover doormat if you ask me. I felt sorry for her in more ways than one…. First being put into this trouble because of Dom but also because she has to deal with him as a husband.
The reason I didn’t give it 3 stars is because the thriller part is well pretty thrilling. It does keep you wondering what will happen.
The best way I can describe this book is as a guy’s book. I can see them enjoying the cinematic feel of it with the fighting and action packed moments but it just wasn’t for me.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
September 1, 2016I know it's a bit of a cliche but this is really a roller coaster of a ride. It is fast paced action that rarely slows down when the story shifts into high gear. Dom Turner is a reliable and some might say "boring" average family man like the title suggests, but as you go through the book the title has more than one connotation. Dom is friends with his much more athletic and handsome friend, Andy. They often go off biking together and it is on one of these trips that Andy randomly suggests they knock off the rural post office.
It starts out as a joke and quickly becomes much more serious as they do the job, only to find a ruthless family of career criminals are after them for knocking the place off before them. A robbery gone very wrong, revenge, murder and scary flight to survive. Dom wants to keep his wife and daughter safe at all costs and finds strength inside himself that he never knew he had How well do you really know your friends is the main theme of this book and how well do you really know those you let into your life. It could make you quite paranoid, lol.
It starts out as a joke and quickly becomes much more serious as they do the job, only to find a ruthless family of career criminals are after them for knocking the place off before them. A robbery gone very wrong, revenge, murder and scary flight to survive. Dom wants to keep his wife and daughter safe at all costs and finds strength inside himself that he never knew he had How well do you really know your friends is the main theme of this book and how well do you really know those you let into your life. It could make you quite paranoid, lol.
October 1, 2016
The Family Man is an all around, good, entertaining crime thriller.
If one is looking for a thriller to read with an interesting hero and nasty villains, then this book is for you. However, to enjoy this book, one must read it for pure enjoyment. Some parts require one to suspend believability, just like that found often in current action movies or television.
Also, it appears this is a sequel to T.J. Lebbon's The Hunt. I have not read that novel, but after reading this one when looking to see if there was a sequel planned for The Family Man, I came across The Hunt.
In this story, two male friends decide to pull off a heist that leads into trouble "The Family Man" never anticipated. From there, the two men gain the attention of some really nasty people and nothing is quite as it seems.
As the story develops, more characters are introduced and move the plot along.
This is a decent thriller and recommended.
If one is looking for a thriller to read with an interesting hero and nasty villains, then this book is for you. However, to enjoy this book, one must read it for pure enjoyment. Some parts require one to suspend believability, just like that found often in current action movies or television.
Also, it appears this is a sequel to T.J. Lebbon's The Hunt. I have not read that novel, but after reading this one when looking to see if there was a sequel planned for The Family Man, I came across The Hunt.
In this story, two male friends decide to pull off a heist that leads into trouble "The Family Man" never anticipated. From there, the two men gain the attention of some really nasty people and nothing is quite as it seems.
As the story develops, more characters are introduced and move the plot along.
This is a decent thriller and recommended.
July 24, 2016
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - how one decision can change your future in the blink of an eye. Is it not enough to live a sensible normal life? Dom has his doubts as he is led into an exciting situation by Andy but the events that happen during Dom's one reckless moment will change his family's life forever. The book flowed really well and I finished it very quickly as it was so easy to read. There were no twists or turns as such but that didn't detract from the books appeal at all and there were plenty of answers to questions and a few surprises along the way. Will the family get out unscathed?
October 29, 2016
Be careful how you choose your friends - Dom didn't and ended up running for his life with his wife and child. Excitement or a boring life? Sometimes it's better to stick to the mundane and be nondescript as Dom was soon to learn. This author knows how to get the adrenaline going and does so from the very first page as he draws you into Dom's life. Loved it and couldn't put it down. There's some pretty nasty individuals in this story plus a couple from earlier. Highly recommended for a bit of escapism - a perfectly, thrilling book! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews