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The New Family
Can you really trust the family next door?
Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three-year-old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings?
When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can’t shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. Why aren’t her new tenants’ names listed anywhere online?
Then Brooke arrives home to find orange flames dancing in the upstairs windows. As her whole life goes up in smoke, she is convinced it wasn’t an accident. And when she finds Finley drawing a picture of an angry burning house with terror in his eyes, her blood runs cold. What is Finley so frightened of? And why does Oliver snatch the drawing away the moment he sees it?
Brooke is convinced Finley is in serious danger, but given her past, she’s not sure anyone will believe her. Is Brooke ready to face up to her own demons to save the little boy? And when the truth is finally revealed, who is really the one in danger?
Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three-year-old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings?
When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can’t shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. Why aren’t her new tenants’ names listed anywhere online?
Then Brooke arrives home to find orange flames dancing in the upstairs windows. As her whole life goes up in smoke, she is convinced it wasn’t an accident. And when she finds Finley drawing a picture of an angry burning house with terror in his eyes, her blood runs cold. What is Finley so frightened of? And why does Oliver snatch the drawing away the moment he sees it?
Brooke is convinced Finley is in serious danger, but given her past, she’s not sure anyone will believe her. Is Brooke ready to face up to her own demons to save the little boy? And when the truth is finally revealed, who is really the one in danger?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2021
651 people are currently reading
856 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Jenkins
25 books350 followersVictoria Jenkins is a Welsh author who has made a name for herself writing the highly popular Detective King and Lane series of novels. The first novel in the series was “The Girls In The Water” that Jenkins first published in 2017, to much critical acclaim and popularity among crime fiction fans.
The series of novels features Detective Constable Chloe Lane and Detective Inspector Alex King, who are the lead investigative characters that solve some mysterious murders in their hometown.
Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based.
The series of novels features Detective Constable Chloe Lane and Detective Inspector Alex King, who are the lead investigative characters that solve some mysterious murders in their hometown.
Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 16, 2021
In September 2019 Brooke meets father Oliver and son Finlay on a secluded beach in a quiet area of Wales. They’re currently staying at a B and B and although Brooke senses that something is not quite right with the pair, she impulsively offers them use of her holiday cottage for their stay. On the outskirts of London eighteen months previously, Christina is struggling with a number of things including the death of her sister a year earlier. She’s married to Matthew and they have young twins Elise and Edward. The two women are strangers but they are similar in that they are living a half life, both being weighed down with issues. The story is told from each perspective, both are interesting and you keep pondering on if or how their lives could interconnect in an unexpected way.
This is an enjoyable read starting with an unsettling incident and then building with little hints of mystery in both of their backgrounds which becomes very intriguing. The troubles that they are dealing with are depicted well, strongly conveying a variety of emotions such as anxiety, pain, grief and guilt. The children in the storyline are characterised well and I like how their personalities are polar opposites. The Welsh coastline adds a good dramatic dimension and it’s also used effectively to match a mood, especially those of Brooke. These are complicated people with complicated lives with entangled webs and all the resulting emotions. There is plenty of tension in the storytelling, some weird moments when things don’t add up as you realise characters have been caught out through their lies. In the last 20% tension really ramps up and scales fall from eyes and you realise you are dealing with obsession, fantasy and delusion. There are one or two occasions where it’s necessary to don disbelief suspenders but I don’t actually mind because it’s an entertaining read with plenty to keep you absorbed!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is an enjoyable read starting with an unsettling incident and then building with little hints of mystery in both of their backgrounds which becomes very intriguing. The troubles that they are dealing with are depicted well, strongly conveying a variety of emotions such as anxiety, pain, grief and guilt. The children in the storyline are characterised well and I like how their personalities are polar opposites. The Welsh coastline adds a good dramatic dimension and it’s also used effectively to match a mood, especially those of Brooke. These are complicated people with complicated lives with entangled webs and all the resulting emotions. There is plenty of tension in the storytelling, some weird moments when things don’t add up as you realise characters have been caught out through their lies. In the last 20% tension really ramps up and scales fall from eyes and you realise you are dealing with obsession, fantasy and delusion. There are one or two occasions where it’s necessary to don disbelief suspenders but I don’t actually mind because it’s an entertaining read with plenty to keep you absorbed!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 10, 2022
WARNING tho story contains domestic violence sexual assault & stalking!
September 2019
Oliver & his son Finley meet Brooke on a secluded beach,Oliver is looking for a place to stay so Brooke offers him her family home that her mother owned & Brooke has fond memories of her childhood.
When Oliver moves in Brooke is surprised at how little belongings he has, with a little boy. who is shy & introverted Brooke knows something is wrong but Oliver says he is fine.
When Brookes home is lost to a fire her existence disappears all her things destroyed , she calls the police & they find it was deliberately lit by who & why is the question?
Well this was an okay book but i picked out what was going to happen early on this was my first read by this author & not sure if Miss Jenkins writing style suits me.
September 2019
Oliver & his son Finley meet Brooke on a secluded beach,Oliver is looking for a place to stay so Brooke offers him her family home that her mother owned & Brooke has fond memories of her childhood.
When Oliver moves in Brooke is surprised at how little belongings he has, with a little boy. who is shy & introverted Brooke knows something is wrong but Oliver says he is fine.
When Brookes home is lost to a fire her existence disappears all her things destroyed , she calls the police & they find it was deliberately lit by who & why is the question?
Well this was an okay book but i picked out what was going to happen early on this was my first read by this author & not sure if Miss Jenkins writing style suits me.
December 1, 2021
A bit of an interesting read, not the first time I’ve read something with the same storyline but I noticed that a couple of events in the story didn’t exactly happen like how the premise initially stated them. But, it didn’t actually ruin anything so it wasn’t a big deal. Something I could just ignore.
It was an OK book. The twists were crazy and sometimes a bit ridiculous, how the characters were connected and how their lives got tangled up with each other, although everything happened too fast, (almost like rushed) when I reached the ending.
I love how the author played with the timeline and introduced the readers to two different characters with their own grief and struggles.
Thank you to Bookuture and Netgalley for this! Cheers!
It was an OK book. The twists were crazy and sometimes a bit ridiculous, how the characters were connected and how their lives got tangled up with each other, although everything happened too fast, (almost like rushed) when I reached the ending.
I love how the author played with the timeline and introduced the readers to two different characters with their own grief and struggles.
Thank you to Bookuture and Netgalley for this! Cheers!
November 14, 2021
**TRIGGER WARNING** This story contains domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three year old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings? When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can't shake off the feeling that something isn't right.
You will have to suspend your belief a few times whilst reading this book. with relatable female protagonists, it's easy to get caught up in the story straight away. There's two stories, Brooke's and Christina's, two timelines with two mysteries. The story is told from Brooke and Christina's perspectives and in alternating chapters. This is a cleverly crafted story where the tension slowly builds. Both women have had their own struggles. The two stories eventually merge together seamlessly in this well written and addictive read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #VictoriaJenkins for my ARC of #TheNewFamily in exchange for an honest review.
Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three year old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings? When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can't shake off the feeling that something isn't right.
You will have to suspend your belief a few times whilst reading this book. with relatable female protagonists, it's easy to get caught up in the story straight away. There's two stories, Brooke's and Christina's, two timelines with two mysteries. The story is told from Brooke and Christina's perspectives and in alternating chapters. This is a cleverly crafted story where the tension slowly builds. Both women have had their own struggles. The two stories eventually merge together seamlessly in this well written and addictive read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #VictoriaJenkins for my ARC of #TheNewFamily in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2021
It looks like so far my three-star rating is a rarity for this book! Everyone seems to love it, and it is a decent book, but I felt like it was two different stories that were awkward once they came together. Those stories, points of view from women named Brooke and Christina, are really good on their own, but we’ll get to what I think about the ending soon enough…
Brooke is a single lady living in the same tiny seaside town she grew up in. Her family is gone, and she rents out the house that she was raised in so that she can afford her true passion - painting. Her newest tenants are Oliver and his son, Finley, and while she likes them, she has many questions about how they ended up in her area. Where did they come from? Where is Fin’s mother? Why doesn’t Finley speak, and what is Oliver hiding?
Christina is a physiotherapist, mother of twins, and is cheating on her husband, Matthew. One day, she guiltily breaks off the affair, but her paramour, Joel, isn’t taking it well. Soon, bizarre gifts, phone calls and threats are haunting her. Is Joel trying to get her back, or ruin her life? Does anyone else know what she’s done? What if Matthew finds out? Would he take the twins? And why does she feel so sick all the time?
Both are good stories with lots of questions and involving plot lines. Had they been two separate books with two separate endings, I think they’d have been fantastic. As it was, though, the relationship between the two women seems like such a convoluted way of getting to the ending, as the connection between them is slightly tenuous. The whole book felt nice and easy, then the ending felt forced and difficult. I still think this was enjoyable read though, so I’m giving it 3.5 stars, rounded down because it was slow to start as well as having that discordant finish.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Victoria Jenkins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Brooke is a single lady living in the same tiny seaside town she grew up in. Her family is gone, and she rents out the house that she was raised in so that she can afford her true passion - painting. Her newest tenants are Oliver and his son, Finley, and while she likes them, she has many questions about how they ended up in her area. Where did they come from? Where is Fin’s mother? Why doesn’t Finley speak, and what is Oliver hiding?
Christina is a physiotherapist, mother of twins, and is cheating on her husband, Matthew. One day, she guiltily breaks off the affair, but her paramour, Joel, isn’t taking it well. Soon, bizarre gifts, phone calls and threats are haunting her. Is Joel trying to get her back, or ruin her life? Does anyone else know what she’s done? What if Matthew finds out? Would he take the twins? And why does she feel so sick all the time?
Both are good stories with lots of questions and involving plot lines. Had they been two separate books with two separate endings, I think they’d have been fantastic. As it was, though, the relationship between the two women seems like such a convoluted way of getting to the ending, as the connection between them is slightly tenuous. The whole book felt nice and easy, then the ending felt forced and difficult. I still think this was enjoyable read though, so I’m giving it 3.5 stars, rounded down because it was slow to start as well as having that discordant finish.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Victoria Jenkins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
November 17, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
Let me start this review by making one thing clear. Victoria Jenkins is a f*cking master at misdirection! I will never tire of recommending The Argument, a psychological suspense with one of the craziest twists I’ve ever read. Since I read that one a couple of years back I immediately became a fan, I have read all her following novels and she has managed to catch me unaware every single time.
I started The New Family without even reading the synopsis, and going over it now I noticed that it does not give away part of the plot so I will not go over it myself. I enjoyed it a lot without knowing beforehand about it so I’m sure you will too.
The story alternates Brooke and Christina’s chapters. At first one can’t help but wonder how, if at all, both timelines will tie up at the end. Although apparently independent, both timelines share a feel of isolation, one geographical and one self-isolation, but not in the sense of actual lockdown but that she has no one around to trust the secret that is destroying her live.
Although it is slow paced, especially at first, I found I could not stop turning pages and it ended up being a really quick read.
Once the link between both POVs is revealed halfway through, I thought I could formulate a plausible theory but oh boy, was I wrong! As secrets start to get revealed, the tension keeps ramping up leading to an ending that, although it required to suspend disbelief a little bit, was so good…and heartbreaking. It was absolutely disheartening.
Both main characters, Brooke and Christina, were very well fleshed out. They were both pretty flawed, but that’s what made them so interesting and real.
Another fantastic psychological suspense story from Ms. Jenkins. I can’t wait to see how she will trick me next time!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start this review by making one thing clear. Victoria Jenkins is a f*cking master at misdirection! I will never tire of recommending The Argument, a psychological suspense with one of the craziest twists I’ve ever read. Since I read that one a couple of years back I immediately became a fan, I have read all her following novels and she has managed to catch me unaware every single time.
I started The New Family without even reading the synopsis, and going over it now I noticed that it does not give away part of the plot so I will not go over it myself. I enjoyed it a lot without knowing beforehand about it so I’m sure you will too.
The story alternates Brooke and Christina’s chapters. At first one can’t help but wonder how, if at all, both timelines will tie up at the end. Although apparently independent, both timelines share a feel of isolation, one geographical and one self-isolation, but not in the sense of actual lockdown but that she has no one around to trust the secret that is destroying her live.
Although it is slow paced, especially at first, I found I could not stop turning pages and it ended up being a really quick read.
Once the link between both POVs is revealed halfway through, I thought I could formulate a plausible theory but oh boy, was I wrong! As secrets start to get revealed, the tension keeps ramping up leading to an ending that, although it required to suspend disbelief a little bit, was so good…and heartbreaking. It was absolutely disheartening.
Both main characters, Brooke and Christina, were very well fleshed out. They were both pretty flawed, but that’s what made them so interesting and real.
Another fantastic psychological suspense story from Ms. Jenkins. I can’t wait to see how she will trick me next time!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2021
In this dual point of view story, that of Brooke and Christina, two very different women whose lives are on different paths. Cleverly, Victoria Jenkins weaves a tale where eventually their lives do converge, albeit in a tragic manner.
Brooke’s life takes a different turn after renting her cottage to Oliver and his three-year-old son Finley. Who is Oliver and why does Brooke feel so drawn to the quiet Finley?
What of Christina? Sadly, the mother of twins, Edward and Elise, her life is very much off-balance. Her relationship with husband Matthew is far less than perfect and at some point Christina had a brief affair. Desperate for Matthew never to discover this, the story soon makes it clear that she is very unhappy. In fact, there are other things in her life that concern her about Matthew, but she carries on nonetheless.
It won’t take long for the reader to realize the intensity in this book. Not only are there secrets and lies in abundance, there are the much more serious issues of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. As these things begin to unravel it pulled me in even more to Brooke and Christina and how in a rather disturbing way their lives do indeed converge.
These two very different women is lives do eventually connect and the ever-brilliant Ms. Jenkins does an excellent job at pulling everything together.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Brooke’s life takes a different turn after renting her cottage to Oliver and his three-year-old son Finley. Who is Oliver and why does Brooke feel so drawn to the quiet Finley?
What of Christina? Sadly, the mother of twins, Edward and Elise, her life is very much off-balance. Her relationship with husband Matthew is far less than perfect and at some point Christina had a brief affair. Desperate for Matthew never to discover this, the story soon makes it clear that she is very unhappy. In fact, there are other things in her life that concern her about Matthew, but she carries on nonetheless.
It won’t take long for the reader to realize the intensity in this book. Not only are there secrets and lies in abundance, there are the much more serious issues of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. As these things begin to unravel it pulled me in even more to Brooke and Christina and how in a rather disturbing way their lives do indeed converge.
These two very different women is lives do eventually connect and the ever-brilliant Ms. Jenkins does an excellent job at pulling everything together.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
November 23, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The New Family' by Victoria Jenkins.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Victoria Jenkins, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 16th November 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'First Playdate' and which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'The New Family is an addictive psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming, perfect for fans of The Wife, The Silent Patient and Lisa Jewell.' I am a huge fan of 'Lisa Jewell' and 'The Wife' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Victoria and if this is half as good as 'The Playdate' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 57 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is set in Wales 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always seem to get on with books that are set in the UK better as I am from Wales and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book. The fact that this book is based in Wales is even better. I've read the first chapter at this point and it has already mentioned Fishguard which is only an hour away and a place I've visited many times. I'm definitely excited to see if it mentions my home town or more places I recognise!!
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Brooke Meredith and Christina. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'The New Family' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Victoria discusses/includes suicide.
Wow!!! What a rollercoaster ride of a read!!! Fantastically written with vivid descriptions throughout making me feel like I was in the storyline. The synopsis, title and cover suited the plot perfectly.
I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting!!! I absolutely LOVE the fact it is set in Wales and written by a Welsh author, being Welsh myself. There were several places mentioned that I don't live that far from including Fishguard and Tenby along with are only about 60/70 minutes away from me. I definitely think that it being set in Wales was a huge bonus for me. The storyline was absolutely gripping and kept me up until the early hours of the morning as I could not put it down!! I was absolutely gobsmacked when everything came out, absolutely explosive twists which I was not expecting!!! A HUGE congratulations to Victoria on that as it is definitely getting harder and harder to shock me but you most definitely did that!!! There were points where my heart was in my throat and I was on the edge of my seat, and then the edge of my bed as I was not putting this book down until I finished!!! I loved that everything was tied up nicely at the end as a pet hate of mine is loose ends and having something mentioned in a book that the author seems to then forget about but absolutely everything was explained by the end of this one. This book would make a fantastic movie!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters were all strong, realistic and very well developed. I was completely invested in Brooke and Christina who were both very strong female leads. I really felt for Brooke as she seemed to go through one thing after another. My heart completely went out to a couple of characters in regards to something that happened but I don't want to say anymore as I wouldn't want to spoil it for future readers. The plot and characters were all very realistic which I think makes it scarier in more ways that one.
I absolutely loved your book Victoria and congratulations on yet another HUGE success . I cannot wait to read more of what promises to be heart stopping reads. Here's to your next success 🥂.
Overall a heart pounding, page turning, edge of your seat psychological thriller that will keep you up late at night.
Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Noir Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction and Police Procedural amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'The Wife' , 'The Silent Patient' and Lisa Jewell.
365 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon or which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNewFamily #Bookouture #VictoriaJenkins #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@VictoriaJenkins @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'The New Family' by Victoria Jenkins.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Victoria Jenkins, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 16th November 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'First Playdate' and which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'The New Family is an addictive psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming, perfect for fans of The Wife, The Silent Patient and Lisa Jewell.' I am a huge fan of 'Lisa Jewell' and 'The Wife' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Victoria and if this is half as good as 'The Playdate' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 57 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is set in Wales 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always seem to get on with books that are set in the UK better as I am from Wales and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book. The fact that this book is based in Wales is even better. I've read the first chapter at this point and it has already mentioned Fishguard which is only an hour away and a place I've visited many times. I'm definitely excited to see if it mentions my home town or more places I recognise!!
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Brooke Meredith and Christina. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'The New Family' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Victoria discusses/includes suicide.
Wow!!! What a rollercoaster ride of a read!!! Fantastically written with vivid descriptions throughout making me feel like I was in the storyline. The synopsis, title and cover suited the plot perfectly.
I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting!!! I absolutely LOVE the fact it is set in Wales and written by a Welsh author, being Welsh myself. There were several places mentioned that I don't live that far from including Fishguard and Tenby along with are only about 60/70 minutes away from me. I definitely think that it being set in Wales was a huge bonus for me. The storyline was absolutely gripping and kept me up until the early hours of the morning as I could not put it down!! I was absolutely gobsmacked when everything came out, absolutely explosive twists which I was not expecting!!! A HUGE congratulations to Victoria on that as it is definitely getting harder and harder to shock me but you most definitely did that!!! There were points where my heart was in my throat and I was on the edge of my seat, and then the edge of my bed as I was not putting this book down until I finished!!! I loved that everything was tied up nicely at the end as a pet hate of mine is loose ends and having something mentioned in a book that the author seems to then forget about but absolutely everything was explained by the end of this one. This book would make a fantastic movie!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters were all strong, realistic and very well developed. I was completely invested in Brooke and Christina who were both very strong female leads. I really felt for Brooke as she seemed to go through one thing after another. My heart completely went out to a couple of characters in regards to something that happened but I don't want to say anymore as I wouldn't want to spoil it for future readers. The plot and characters were all very realistic which I think makes it scarier in more ways that one.
I absolutely loved your book Victoria and congratulations on yet another HUGE success . I cannot wait to read more of what promises to be heart stopping reads. Here's to your next success 🥂.
Overall a heart pounding, page turning, edge of your seat psychological thriller that will keep you up late at night.
Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Noir Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction and Police Procedural amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'The Wife' , 'The Silent Patient' and Lisa Jewell.
365 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon or which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheNewFamily #Bookouture #VictoriaJenkins #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@VictoriaJenkins @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
November 21, 2021
3.5 stars
This is one of those books where the less you know going in the better.
Keeping in the spirit of that I will give very few details about plot points and stay away from specifics but will say that this is almost too clever. It felt like you had two books for the price of one until they came together right at the very end and that is where it all made absolute sense.
The stories are told via dual narration and in different timelines by Brooke and Christina, both having complicated lives. Brooke has just taken in Oliver with young child Finley as new tenants but something doesn’t feel right. With no family and a past that makes her wary is it all in her head?
Then there is Christina, mum to twins she is trying to make her marriage work after she had an affair and hoping her husband never finds out.
This is a slow burn character led book with a setting that really adds to the atmosphere and heightens the eeriness. This would be perfect for those that love a more in-depth read where you feel you actually get to know the characters and get a real view of their lives.
This is one of those books where the less you know going in the better.
Keeping in the spirit of that I will give very few details about plot points and stay away from specifics but will say that this is almost too clever. It felt like you had two books for the price of one until they came together right at the very end and that is where it all made absolute sense.
The stories are told via dual narration and in different timelines by Brooke and Christina, both having complicated lives. Brooke has just taken in Oliver with young child Finley as new tenants but something doesn’t feel right. With no family and a past that makes her wary is it all in her head?
Then there is Christina, mum to twins she is trying to make her marriage work after she had an affair and hoping her husband never finds out.
This is a slow burn character led book with a setting that really adds to the atmosphere and heightens the eeriness. This would be perfect for those that love a more in-depth read where you feel you actually get to know the characters and get a real view of their lives.
November 16, 2021
A fast-paced story told in two pov, and more from then and now, from 2019, with interesting characters and so different life leading. It really intrigued me to see where the story was going with both of them because while there were similarities in both women’s life, there were so many interesting aspects that kept me wanting to know more about each one as well.
I was on the edge by the end, especially since I got to the point when I knew what’s going to happen and I actually felt sorry for Finlay.
Overall, the story brings up many emotions and deals with situations like pain, grief and emotional anxiety and teenagers and what some people think it’s best for their children and where they leave it all out.
I am glad that the author ended it like that instead of the tragic ending like it was leading on.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy
November 15, 2021
3.5 stars
This is a good read.
With alternating chapters from Brooke and Christina we learn what events took place in the past.
Christina has just ended an affair and is desparate for her husband not to find out what she’s been up to.
Brooke is suffering from grief and lives alone, in a remote village.
She meets a man and his son while out walking and offers them a property to rent as they’re at a bit of loose end, and things develop from there.
It was a bit off putting to have what seemed like completely separate stories one after the other, but it does come together in the end.
A good read but a bit disjointed for most of the book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This is a good read.
With alternating chapters from Brooke and Christina we learn what events took place in the past.
Christina has just ended an affair and is desparate for her husband not to find out what she’s been up to.
Brooke is suffering from grief and lives alone, in a remote village.
She meets a man and his son while out walking and offers them a property to rent as they’re at a bit of loose end, and things develop from there.
It was a bit off putting to have what seemed like completely separate stories one after the other, but it does come together in the end.
A good read but a bit disjointed for most of the book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 10, 2021
I enjoyed this story a lot, but this is the second book I have read recently where the synopsis doesn't match the story. For most of the book, over half of the book, Oliver and Finley and Brooke get along well. Brooke is not suspicious of them. She doesn't think something isn't quite right. She wonders what happened to Finley's mom and when she talks with her friend about it her friend is just like well have you asked him? You will never get to know him if you don't talk to him. Which she does and he immediately answers her questions. When Finley draws the house on fire Oliver doesn't "snatch the drawing away the moment he sees it." He talks to Brooke about how he is concerned for Finley. How Finley has nightmares, but he doesn't know the details as he won't talk to Oliver about it. For most of the story Brooke likes Oliver and Finley and they come off as a nice, normal family with a bit of an unfortunate past. Just like Brooke. So having the synopsis set it up as there is something fishy about Oliver made me keep thinking he was fishy. That something is not right even though for at least half the book everything was fine. Or Brooke thought it was. I mean she doesn't even get a chance to tell anyone that she thinks something is off with them before the big ending happens. As soon as she starts worrying for Finley it is the end of the book! So...not quite an accurate synopsis and kind of spoiled the book. Maybe I would have been just as suspicious of Oliver if I hadn't read the synopsis beforehand, but I don't know since I did. Oh well.
So this is the story of Brooke and Chistina. Brooke who had something happen 16 years ago that has affected her life ever since. Brooke who doesn't really get close to people. Who doesn't have family left. Who no one believed so long ago. Only now Oliver and his son Finley moved to town and she likes him. She likes them. Can she open up to them?
And Christina, whose story takes place over a year prior to Brooke. Who is struggling with being a new mom to twins and figuring out who she actually is. She has made some mistakes, but she wants to make her marriage work and be happy. If only she could figure out how.
These two stories don't really seem to intersect, but of course things come together in the end. I enjoyed how everything played out, how we see both of these women and the struggles they are facing and how they try and figure everything out. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
So this is the story of Brooke and Chistina. Brooke who had something happen 16 years ago that has affected her life ever since. Brooke who doesn't really get close to people. Who doesn't have family left. Who no one believed so long ago. Only now Oliver and his son Finley moved to town and she likes him. She likes them. Can she open up to them?
And Christina, whose story takes place over a year prior to Brooke. Who is struggling with being a new mom to twins and figuring out who she actually is. She has made some mistakes, but she wants to make her marriage work and be happy. If only she could figure out how.
These two stories don't really seem to intersect, but of course things come together in the end. I enjoyed how everything played out, how we see both of these women and the struggles they are facing and how they try and figure everything out. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
A first for me from this author and was totally blown away by how well crafted and beautiful her writing is. With a picturesque setting by the coast, it was reminiscent of my time when I lived by the sea. Beautifully written with wonderfully detailed surroundings, rare in most thriller or crime novels as many are set inland. I loved the location and the images it brought with it.
This novel is chilling, a little confusing which it’s meant to be and the suspicious characters were brilliantly written. It is definitely veering more to the psychological aspect rather than thriller but both elements are evident.
It’s a slow burn novel which is typical of a psychological thriller as it’s focus is on the thoughts and behaviour within the storyline. Having said that, there are elements of thriller within it too. In the first half we get to know the characters featured in the duel timeline, Christina in 2018 and Brooke in 2019. Once I was further in I was wondering how the two timelines would merge and as hints were dropped and the pace increased at around 65% I was still totally blown away by the twist that was revealed. So clever.
The new family were both mysterious characters, strange things happened and it really got me thinking about what could be going on in one characters mind which led me on all kind of suspicions which I had fun working out.
I know this book isn’t a debut novel but as a first to me from this author I have added her back catalogue to my to read list purely from this book. It was fabulous and can’t wait to find the time to read the authors other books.
This novel is chilling, a little confusing which it’s meant to be and the suspicious characters were brilliantly written. It is definitely veering more to the psychological aspect rather than thriller but both elements are evident.
It’s a slow burn novel which is typical of a psychological thriller as it’s focus is on the thoughts and behaviour within the storyline. Having said that, there are elements of thriller within it too. In the first half we get to know the characters featured in the duel timeline, Christina in 2018 and Brooke in 2019. Once I was further in I was wondering how the two timelines would merge and as hints were dropped and the pace increased at around 65% I was still totally blown away by the twist that was revealed. So clever.
The new family were both mysterious characters, strange things happened and it really got me thinking about what could be going on in one characters mind which led me on all kind of suspicions which I had fun working out.
I know this book isn’t a debut novel but as a first to me from this author I have added her back catalogue to my to read list purely from this book. It was fabulous and can’t wait to find the time to read the authors other books.
March 19, 2022
2018-Christina is married to Matthew. They have beautiful twins, Elise & Edward. Christine has not felt well for a while. She still grieves the loss of her sister & hasn't been feeling well with nausea & fatigue; however, she also has guilt for betraying her husband with an affair-guilt, even when she ends the affair. Her lover does not want to let go & sends her flowers. Then more sinister gifts follow. She tries to hide the gifts & the affair from her husband, because she loves Matthew & wants a happy marriage with him.
2019-Brooke meets a man named Oliver & his son Finley on the beach. Oliver is looking for a place to stay & Brooke still has her childhood home that she rents to vacationers. After showing Oliver the house, he wants to rent it. Something is strange about Oliver & his son. He avoids answering questions about his past & doesn't have many belongings when he moves in. Then Brooke's art studio/home catches on fire. She too has suffered loss, her parents & her sister. She worries about Finley-he has nightmares; his dad always answers for him. She begins to have her suspicions on Oliver.
I really enjoyed this book. It was twisty & I was unable to guess the ending.
2019-Brooke meets a man named Oliver & his son Finley on the beach. Oliver is looking for a place to stay & Brooke still has her childhood home that she rents to vacationers. After showing Oliver the house, he wants to rent it. Something is strange about Oliver & his son. He avoids answering questions about his past & doesn't have many belongings when he moves in. Then Brooke's art studio/home catches on fire. She too has suffered loss, her parents & her sister. She worries about Finley-he has nightmares; his dad always answers for him. She begins to have her suspicions on Oliver.
I really enjoyed this book. It was twisty & I was unable to guess the ending.
November 15, 2021
Two women. Two stories. And the twisted fate that links them.
Brooke Meredith, an artist who resides in the tiny village of Aberfach by the sea, leads a solitary life. Christina Hale, a physiotherapist, lives in London with her loving husband and toddler twins. Brooke has hesitatingly embarked on a romantic relationship, but her past trauma makes her cautious, not to mention the strange turn of events that have begun to occur around her. Christina has just ended an extramarital affair, but it doesn't seem like her paramour is going to walk away quietly.
Set in different timelines and locations, the vastly different lives and stories of the two women, narrated in alternating chapters, initially confuses the reader. While the individual stories themselves are compelling, for a major part of the book, you fail to connect the dots. The suspense in the plot is not in your face - more like a lingering sense of something not right - and it is this feeling that urges you to sink deeper into the story. The climax, where the two storylines converge was quite an aha! moment for me.
Both Brooke and Christina are well-etched out and flawed characters who are dealing with their own share of grief and trauma in their own respective ways. I do wish though that more had been mentioned about the character Alice, since she turned out to be pivotal to the suspense reveal.
Overall, initially confusing but evolved into an unexpected, yet satisfying suspense story. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Brooke Meredith, an artist who resides in the tiny village of Aberfach by the sea, leads a solitary life. Christina Hale, a physiotherapist, lives in London with her loving husband and toddler twins. Brooke has hesitatingly embarked on a romantic relationship, but her past trauma makes her cautious, not to mention the strange turn of events that have begun to occur around her. Christina has just ended an extramarital affair, but it doesn't seem like her paramour is going to walk away quietly.
Set in different timelines and locations, the vastly different lives and stories of the two women, narrated in alternating chapters, initially confuses the reader. While the individual stories themselves are compelling, for a major part of the book, you fail to connect the dots. The suspense in the plot is not in your face - more like a lingering sense of something not right - and it is this feeling that urges you to sink deeper into the story. The climax, where the two storylines converge was quite an aha! moment for me.
Both Brooke and Christina are well-etched out and flawed characters who are dealing with their own share of grief and trauma in their own respective ways. I do wish though that more had been mentioned about the character Alice, since she turned out to be pivotal to the suspense reveal.
Overall, initially confusing but evolved into an unexpected, yet satisfying suspense story. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2021
The New Family is an inventive piece of fiction told from two different points of view, whose characters do not overlap until many chapters into the story.
First, and who I would consider the main character, we have Brooke. In an effort to pursue her passion of painting, Brooke rents out her family home to a man named Oliver and his son, Finley. While they both seem nice, Brooke does question why Oliver is without Fin’s mom and also why Fin is SO quiet, barely speaking.
The other storyline follow Christina. She is a married mother of twins, currently wrapped up in an affair. When she breaks it off, her former lover is not happy.
Who is really the most in danger, and how do these characters’ stories cross each other?
I was very engaged with both story plots, and perhaps would have actually enjoyed separate books centering around each one! It took quite a while to piece together the puzzle, and I was left still wanting more details.
Overall, this was an easy and fun book that has well depicted characters.
First, and who I would consider the main character, we have Brooke. In an effort to pursue her passion of painting, Brooke rents out her family home to a man named Oliver and his son, Finley. While they both seem nice, Brooke does question why Oliver is without Fin’s mom and also why Fin is SO quiet, barely speaking.
The other storyline follow Christina. She is a married mother of twins, currently wrapped up in an affair. When she breaks it off, her former lover is not happy.
Who is really the most in danger, and how do these characters’ stories cross each other?
I was very engaged with both story plots, and perhaps would have actually enjoyed separate books centering around each one! It took quite a while to piece together the puzzle, and I was left still wanting more details.
Overall, this was an easy and fun book that has well depicted characters.
November 13, 2021
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PUBLICATION DAY: November 16, 2021
SUMMARY:
This is the story of two women: Brooke and Christina...both have had trauma in their life, both have lost people important to them. Where one is a fulfilled wife and mother (or is she entirely fulfilled?) the other seems to be afraid to fully embrace life. What do these women have in common? And what will happen when a new family moves in just across the street?
PROS and CONS:
Such a fast paced, and honestly, such a well written book! It was entirely captivating. The two different timelines, and vastly different lives of our two heroines had me wondering what the two had in common. The ending brings everything together and it was well worth the read! Victoria Jenkins’ books don’t seem to get a great deal of notice...I sincerely hope this changes because this is a good book and I’d love to read more from her!
READ IT?
Yes - if you’re in any way a fan of the abundance of psychological thrillers out there today (yes please!)...then you’ll love this one!
4 Stars
PUBLICATION DAY: November 16, 2021
SUMMARY:
This is the story of two women: Brooke and Christina...both have had trauma in their life, both have lost people important to them. Where one is a fulfilled wife and mother (or is she entirely fulfilled?) the other seems to be afraid to fully embrace life. What do these women have in common? And what will happen when a new family moves in just across the street?
PROS and CONS:
Such a fast paced, and honestly, such a well written book! It was entirely captivating. The two different timelines, and vastly different lives of our two heroines had me wondering what the two had in common. The ending brings everything together and it was well worth the read! Victoria Jenkins’ books don’t seem to get a great deal of notice...I sincerely hope this changes because this is a good book and I’d love to read more from her!
READ IT?
Yes - if you’re in any way a fan of the abundance of psychological thrillers out there today (yes please!)...then you’ll love this one!
4 Stars
February 21, 2023
I enjoy this author’s clever writing style, she captivates me from the very beginning of her books. This story is kind of complex, told from two POVs, over different timelines and locations. But it all came together in the end. I would suggest going into this one blind and allowing the author to carry you away like I did. **Trigger Warning for domestic and sexual abuse. Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Available now
October 19, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance copy of this book to be published 16th November 2021..
This is a good psychological thriller with so many twists. I enjoyed every minute of it and will definitely look out for more from this author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a good psychological thriller with so many twists. I enjoyed every minute of it and will definitely look out for more from this author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 28, 2021
This was an ok thriller, I'm writing this review though a few days after reading and I have already forgot most of it as it's quite generic. Story moves along quick enough from both perspectives. Few things didn't quite add up for me even though everything is explained towards the end. I've read worse but I've also read better.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Victoria Jenkins for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*
*Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Victoria Jenkins for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*
December 10, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review -
I loved this book! It was so interesting and the ending blew my mind. I'm literally running to go read Victoria Jenkin's other books because this was everything a psychological thriller should be!!
I loved this book! It was so interesting and the ending blew my mind. I'm literally running to go read Victoria Jenkin's other books because this was everything a psychological thriller should be!!
February 5, 2022
📚 Book Review 📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The New Family by Victoria Jenkins
Brooke lives in her art studio in a seaside town and rents out her family home to make extra money. When Oliver and his son Finley come to town, she is intrigued why they want to rent for more than the normal few weeks and why doesn’t Fin speak. Meanwhile Christina is a married mom of twins who has ended an affair and now strange things start happening to her. What is the link to these women?
The book alternates between Brooke and Christine and each woman’s story is intriguing with their own plots and would have been good books independent of each other. I had a feeling where it was going/the twist and once it was shown the book felt very rushed and anticlimactic. It was a good book but not an “oh my gosh I have to tell everyone about it” kind of book 🤷🏼♀️
The New Family by Victoria Jenkins
Brooke lives in her art studio in a seaside town and rents out her family home to make extra money. When Oliver and his son Finley come to town, she is intrigued why they want to rent for more than the normal few weeks and why doesn’t Fin speak. Meanwhile Christina is a married mom of twins who has ended an affair and now strange things start happening to her. What is the link to these women?
The book alternates between Brooke and Christine and each woman’s story is intriguing with their own plots and would have been good books independent of each other. I had a feeling where it was going/the twist and once it was shown the book felt very rushed and anticlimactic. It was a good book but not an “oh my gosh I have to tell everyone about it” kind of book 🤷🏼♀️
June 24, 2025
★★★★ 3.5 stars (rounded up)
I've seen many post trigger warnings for this book but I don't think it is needed as most psychological thrillers often have an element of these things. But not only that, they are so subtle or are just part of a backstory that they are not really the main event. All but one of them, that is. And even so, it is just subtle nuances that allude to it - a photo here, a message there - nothing so in your face to warrant clear cut warnings.
It's been a while since I've read Victoria Jenkins and I've usually enjoyed her thrillers so was looking forward to this one. Especially as they are generally featured in Wales, one of my favourite settings. This tale of woe (and it really is) was published back in 2021 and somehow slipped through my shelf. It's a slow burn with two parallel stories unfolding through alternating chapters with the reader wondering how the two will collide.
September 2019: Brooke is taking a walk along the coastal path to her favourite secluded beach when she meets handsome Oliver and his young son Finley. Oliver is looking for somewhere to stay and as Brooke rents out her childhood home as a holiday let, which is currently standing vacant until her next booking in January, she offers them the use of the little cottage. When he and Finley move in, Brooke is surprised with how few belongings they have but doesn't question it. Who is she to judge anyway with the skeletons rattling around in her closet?
Then the little gallery and loft in which she lives and sells her paintings suddenly burns down in which she loses everything. The fire is investigated and soon deemed to be arson but the police are no closer to finding the perpetrator, leaving Brooke without a home until it is repaired. But her lifelong friend and neighbour Sylvia lets her move into her spare room indefinitely which proves to be a godsend. She begins to spend a lot of time with Oliver and Finley. Despite the little boy being quiet and introverted, he begins to warm to Brooke but it is clear he is haunted by something which makes him withdrawn and always looking so sad. Added to that, he has begun sleepwalking.
The more time Brooke spends with Oliver and Finley the more she in curious about their past. She has so many questions about where they've come from? How did they end up here in Wales? Where is Fin's mother? What is their story? But again, Brooke can hardly judge given her own past. She's just curious.
February 2018: Juggling motherhood and her job as a physiotherapist, Christina is married to Matthew and mother to twins Elise and Edward. But she's not happy and she doesn't know why that is when she has an adoring husband and two beautiful, yet demanding, toddlers. She has been embarking on an illicit affair with lawyer Joel who had come to her a client with a football injury.
But when Christina breaks off their affair, Joel doesn't appear to take it well. Soon he bombards her with bizarre gifts, strange phone calls and messages - all threatening by nature with the undertone of "tick tock, time is running out". For what? Is he threatening to reveal their affair to her husband? Her family? Her friends? Or worse... her clients? Is Joel trying to win her back through his threats or does he want to ruin her life? If Matthew discovers her secret, he will surely take the twins and she wouldn't see her children again. Just the anxiety of this whole debacle is making her sick - and Matthew has noticed her constant headaches and nausea so it won't be long until he figures out just what she has been hiding. And Christina has no idea what she will do then...
The slow burn unfold of each tale is twisted with both women and the secrets they are hiding, giving the reader plenty of questions about how these two women are related to the same story. I must admit, I had no clue at first - so different they were. Brooke in Wales, Christina in London. Not only that, the events take place around 18 months apart. I had many questions running through my mind until I settled on one that seemed to fit. I picked up little nuances, little clues that Jenkins peppered throughout both stories, and I was convinced I had one half of the big reveal. And I did. Once I worked that out, it wasn't difficult to figure out the rest.
I must say though you will have to suspend belief a little - as is usually the way with psychological thrillers - and the story does get a little convoluted, particularly with how it all collides into one big explosion. I will say that things ramped up for the last 20% and that's where it all became interesting and everything fell into place. Prior to that, it was very slow moving. A little too slow for my tastes but my interest was piqued enough to keep turning the pages and I'm glad I did because you do get there in the end.
This is a hard book to rate. I'm not a fan of slow burns and tend to fall asleep at the non-event of happenings but I think it was one woman's story that kept me turning the pages. I felt more invested in Brooke's than I did in Christina's. I didn't care for her as I felt she had everything and yet it still wasn't enough so she went looking elsewhere. Plus Brooke's story unfolded in Wales which was a far more picturesque setting, if not unstable in both weather and WiFi. LOL It was still an enjoyable read and I am leaning towards 3.5 stars - but to round it up or down? I'd round it down for the 80% slow burn (too much in my opinion) or up for the satisfying conclusion.
Just a bit of trivia: I found it ironic that one of the characters is Christina and her husband is Matthew. My name is Christina and my brother is Matthew.
I would like to thank #VictoriaJenkins, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheNewFamily in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I've seen many post trigger warnings for this book but I don't think it is needed as most psychological thrillers often have an element of these things. But not only that, they are so subtle or are just part of a backstory that they are not really the main event. All but one of them, that is. And even so, it is just subtle nuances that allude to it - a photo here, a message there - nothing so in your face to warrant clear cut warnings.
It's been a while since I've read Victoria Jenkins and I've usually enjoyed her thrillers so was looking forward to this one. Especially as they are generally featured in Wales, one of my favourite settings. This tale of woe (and it really is) was published back in 2021 and somehow slipped through my shelf. It's a slow burn with two parallel stories unfolding through alternating chapters with the reader wondering how the two will collide.
September 2019: Brooke is taking a walk along the coastal path to her favourite secluded beach when she meets handsome Oliver and his young son Finley. Oliver is looking for somewhere to stay and as Brooke rents out her childhood home as a holiday let, which is currently standing vacant until her next booking in January, she offers them the use of the little cottage. When he and Finley move in, Brooke is surprised with how few belongings they have but doesn't question it. Who is she to judge anyway with the skeletons rattling around in her closet?
Then the little gallery and loft in which she lives and sells her paintings suddenly burns down in which she loses everything. The fire is investigated and soon deemed to be arson but the police are no closer to finding the perpetrator, leaving Brooke without a home until it is repaired. But her lifelong friend and neighbour Sylvia lets her move into her spare room indefinitely which proves to be a godsend. She begins to spend a lot of time with Oliver and Finley. Despite the little boy being quiet and introverted, he begins to warm to Brooke but it is clear he is haunted by something which makes him withdrawn and always looking so sad. Added to that, he has begun sleepwalking.
The more time Brooke spends with Oliver and Finley the more she in curious about their past. She has so many questions about where they've come from? How did they end up here in Wales? Where is Fin's mother? What is their story? But again, Brooke can hardly judge given her own past. She's just curious.
February 2018: Juggling motherhood and her job as a physiotherapist, Christina is married to Matthew and mother to twins Elise and Edward. But she's not happy and she doesn't know why that is when she has an adoring husband and two beautiful, yet demanding, toddlers. She has been embarking on an illicit affair with lawyer Joel who had come to her a client with a football injury.
But when Christina breaks off their affair, Joel doesn't appear to take it well. Soon he bombards her with bizarre gifts, strange phone calls and messages - all threatening by nature with the undertone of "tick tock, time is running out". For what? Is he threatening to reveal their affair to her husband? Her family? Her friends? Or worse... her clients? Is Joel trying to win her back through his threats or does he want to ruin her life? If Matthew discovers her secret, he will surely take the twins and she wouldn't see her children again. Just the anxiety of this whole debacle is making her sick - and Matthew has noticed her constant headaches and nausea so it won't be long until he figures out just what she has been hiding. And Christina has no idea what she will do then...
The slow burn unfold of each tale is twisted with both women and the secrets they are hiding, giving the reader plenty of questions about how these two women are related to the same story. I must admit, I had no clue at first - so different they were. Brooke in Wales, Christina in London. Not only that, the events take place around 18 months apart. I had many questions running through my mind until I settled on one that seemed to fit. I picked up little nuances, little clues that Jenkins peppered throughout both stories, and I was convinced I had one half of the big reveal. And I did. Once I worked that out, it wasn't difficult to figure out the rest.
I must say though you will have to suspend belief a little - as is usually the way with psychological thrillers - and the story does get a little convoluted, particularly with how it all collides into one big explosion. I will say that things ramped up for the last 20% and that's where it all became interesting and everything fell into place. Prior to that, it was very slow moving. A little too slow for my tastes but my interest was piqued enough to keep turning the pages and I'm glad I did because you do get there in the end.
This is a hard book to rate. I'm not a fan of slow burns and tend to fall asleep at the non-event of happenings but I think it was one woman's story that kept me turning the pages. I felt more invested in Brooke's than I did in Christina's. I didn't care for her as I felt she had everything and yet it still wasn't enough so she went looking elsewhere. Plus Brooke's story unfolded in Wales which was a far more picturesque setting, if not unstable in both weather and WiFi. LOL It was still an enjoyable read and I am leaning towards 3.5 stars - but to round it up or down? I'd round it down for the 80% slow burn (too much in my opinion) or up for the satisfying conclusion.
Just a bit of trivia: I found it ironic that one of the characters is Christina and her husband is Matthew. My name is Christina and my brother is Matthew.
I would like to thank #VictoriaJenkins, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheNewFamily in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 2, 2024
2.7 🌠
Hard to follow and a bit crap.
Hard to follow and a bit crap.
November 11, 2021
The New Family by Victoria Jenkins is a very highly recommended psychological thriller.
When Oliver and his three-year-old son, Fin, decide to rent Brooke's family home along the coast in south Wales for several months, she is thankful to have the income of a longer term rental during the off season, especially after Brooke's studio is burned in an act of arson. The Father and son were staying at an area B and B so they can easily move in quickly. It doesn't hurt that Oliver is a handsome young man who seems to have had a sad past, much like Brooke herself.
In London over a year earlier, Christina, a new mother of twins is trying to cope with being a mother. She loves being a physiotherapist, but feels she is losing herself. Adding to this is the fact that she feels sick all the time, is having difficulty sleeping, and is struggling with in her marriage to Matthew. She starts a brief affair with Joel, but ends it with determination to work on her marriage. After she ends the affair, Joel begins sending her messages threatening her that it's not over.
Both Brooke and Christina are well developed characters. They are very different women and are depicted as such. Each of them has a distinct individual personality and are struggling with different problems in their lives. They both are unable to control events happening around them, or experiences from their past, and this makes them both realistic but flawed people.
This well written novel follows these two completely different narrative threads with mysteries set in two timelines. Both women have had struggles in their past and are trying to the best they can under trying circumstances. Throughout almost all of the novel these two stories are separate, but both narratives are fraught with tension and the foreboding feeling that something nefarious is going to happen. The dual plots both move at a quick pace and are equally engaging and compelling. Beyond the two mysteries in these dual story lines, is the underlying mystery of how these two stories are going to merge. They do merge and in a manner that is unpredictable until it is about to happen.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/1...
When Oliver and his three-year-old son, Fin, decide to rent Brooke's family home along the coast in south Wales for several months, she is thankful to have the income of a longer term rental during the off season, especially after Brooke's studio is burned in an act of arson. The Father and son were staying at an area B and B so they can easily move in quickly. It doesn't hurt that Oliver is a handsome young man who seems to have had a sad past, much like Brooke herself.
In London over a year earlier, Christina, a new mother of twins is trying to cope with being a mother. She loves being a physiotherapist, but feels she is losing herself. Adding to this is the fact that she feels sick all the time, is having difficulty sleeping, and is struggling with in her marriage to Matthew. She starts a brief affair with Joel, but ends it with determination to work on her marriage. After she ends the affair, Joel begins sending her messages threatening her that it's not over.
Both Brooke and Christina are well developed characters. They are very different women and are depicted as such. Each of them has a distinct individual personality and are struggling with different problems in their lives. They both are unable to control events happening around them, or experiences from their past, and this makes them both realistic but flawed people.
This well written novel follows these two completely different narrative threads with mysteries set in two timelines. Both women have had struggles in their past and are trying to the best they can under trying circumstances. Throughout almost all of the novel these two stories are separate, but both narratives are fraught with tension and the foreboding feeling that something nefarious is going to happen. The dual plots both move at a quick pace and are equally engaging and compelling. Beyond the two mysteries in these dual story lines, is the underlying mystery of how these two stories are going to merge. They do merge and in a manner that is unpredictable until it is about to happen.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/1...
November 12, 2021
I’d like to start off by saying thank you to Victoria Jenkins, Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
I’m not really sure what to say about this books there were parts that I loved and really enjoyed and other parts that I didn’t enjoy and found really confusing.
I think this book would have worked better as 2 separate books, it was told from Brooke and Christina’s point of view and I found it difficult to get my head around the ending the way the 2 stories fitted into one. I did however really like Brooke as a character I really warmed to her and I found my heart went out to her as she strikes me as someone who doesn’t seem to have a lot of luck in life. Literally the day she finds someone to rent her old family home off her, her own home that she’s currently living in goes up in flames. Poor Brooke is desperate for the money so allows her tenants to stay but there’s also the fact that Brooke doesn’t want to go back to ever living in that house again.
Unlike anyone else who’s ever rented off her Brooke found an interest in her tenants Oliver and his son Finley however there was a lot of mystery around them. Finley doesn’t speak and every time Brooke try’s to talk to Oliver about his personal life he changes the subject. There’s a lot of fear that Brooke noticed coming from Finley and she becomes convinced that he is in danger however as someone who’s had a difficult past is Brooke being over cautious towards him.
There was a lot of suspense in this book that I really enjoyed however at times I did find the pace a little slow but that being said it wasn’t a bad read. I certainly recommend it to someone who is looking for a thriller that is easy to put down and come back to.
I’m not really sure what to say about this books there were parts that I loved and really enjoyed and other parts that I didn’t enjoy and found really confusing.
I think this book would have worked better as 2 separate books, it was told from Brooke and Christina’s point of view and I found it difficult to get my head around the ending the way the 2 stories fitted into one. I did however really like Brooke as a character I really warmed to her and I found my heart went out to her as she strikes me as someone who doesn’t seem to have a lot of luck in life. Literally the day she finds someone to rent her old family home off her, her own home that she’s currently living in goes up in flames. Poor Brooke is desperate for the money so allows her tenants to stay but there’s also the fact that Brooke doesn’t want to go back to ever living in that house again.
Unlike anyone else who’s ever rented off her Brooke found an interest in her tenants Oliver and his son Finley however there was a lot of mystery around them. Finley doesn’t speak and every time Brooke try’s to talk to Oliver about his personal life he changes the subject. There’s a lot of fear that Brooke noticed coming from Finley and she becomes convinced that he is in danger however as someone who’s had a difficult past is Brooke being over cautious towards him.
There was a lot of suspense in this book that I really enjoyed however at times I did find the pace a little slow but that being said it wasn’t a bad read. I certainly recommend it to someone who is looking for a thriller that is easy to put down and come back to.
November 12, 2025
Brooke meets a man and his son lost on the beach, and offers them her holiday home. But as she returns to her own nearby house, she finds flames licking through her beloved possessions and destroying her artworks which threatens her livelihood. Could Brooke have been deliberately targeted and why?
The New Family is a psychological thriller with danger and secrets lurking beneath the surface.
The book is written in two timelines: Brooke in 2019 and Christina 18 months earlier. Brooke is struggling to cope with her grief after the death of her mother. Christina is risking her perfect family by having an affair. How are the two timelines connected?
Brooke has suspicions about who is responsible for the fire and questions whether she was intended to be inside the burning building. She has a mysterious past and the name Lewis crops up and seems to be haunting her. Meanwhile Oliver and Finley have appeared from nowhere and need somewhere to live. Where have they come from and are they alone? How do these strands connect with Christina and her former lover who won’t let go?
The writing of the book is engaging and I found myself equally immersed in both timelines. The chapters alternate between Brooke and Christina so we get to understand their situations and feel a connection with them. Both women are vulnerable and flawed but this makes them feel more authentically human. There were plenty of questions raised as the plot develops and the tension mounts especially as the book races towards a shocking conclusion (suspend disbelief and just enjoy!)
The New Family in an entertaining and intriguing psychological thriller.
The New Family is a psychological thriller with danger and secrets lurking beneath the surface.
The book is written in two timelines: Brooke in 2019 and Christina 18 months earlier. Brooke is struggling to cope with her grief after the death of her mother. Christina is risking her perfect family by having an affair. How are the two timelines connected?
Brooke has suspicions about who is responsible for the fire and questions whether she was intended to be inside the burning building. She has a mysterious past and the name Lewis crops up and seems to be haunting her. Meanwhile Oliver and Finley have appeared from nowhere and need somewhere to live. Where have they come from and are they alone? How do these strands connect with Christina and her former lover who won’t let go?
The writing of the book is engaging and I found myself equally immersed in both timelines. The chapters alternate between Brooke and Christina so we get to understand their situations and feel a connection with them. Both women are vulnerable and flawed but this makes them feel more authentically human. There were plenty of questions raised as the plot develops and the tension mounts especially as the book races towards a shocking conclusion (suspend disbelief and just enjoy!)
The New Family in an entertaining and intriguing psychological thriller.
June 17, 2023
I loved The New Family's prose and the intricate way the plot was structured. The character development was great, and I enjoyed the suspense that was built incrementally in each chapter, and found it hard to put the book down once I'd started reading. The story had a lot of depth to it, making the ending quite emotional.
The reason it doesn't get 5* is the moral of the story is slanted in favour of a person who was just as bad as the antagonist.
I also easily predicted every twist very early on in the book, which made the climax much less dramatic than it could have been.
That said, I would definitely read another book by this author.
4*
The reason it doesn't get 5* is the moral of the story is slanted in favour of a person who was just as bad as the antagonist.
I also easily predicted every twist very early on in the book, which made the climax much less dramatic than it could have been.
That said, I would definitely read another book by this author.
4*
April 10, 2022
The New Family by Victoria Jenkins
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Can you really trust the family next door?
Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three-year-old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings?
When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can’t shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. Why aren’t her new tenants’ names listed anywhere online?
I am not sure what I thought of this book - initially I was hooked, I put the book down at around 30% and found myself quickly picking it back up again. Once the two stories joined up I found myself struggling to read on. This book is full of secrets and lies along with deep issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence. Two well constructed timelines. This is an 'ok' thriller, I just wish it had held my attention a little more.
Rating 3/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Can you really trust the family next door?
Brooke is delighted when Oliver decides to rent her old family home with his three-year-old son Finley. Finally, someone to bring happiness to the rundown house across the street. They seem like the perfect tenants, but Brooke is a little unnerved when they move in with just a single bag between them. Where are their belongings?
When Brooke asks Oliver about his past, he quickly changes the subject. Her best friend tells her to leave it, after all, Brooke has been through enough trauma in her life. But Brooke can’t shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. Why aren’t her new tenants’ names listed anywhere online?
I am not sure what I thought of this book - initially I was hooked, I put the book down at around 30% and found myself quickly picking it back up again. Once the two stories joined up I found myself struggling to read on. This book is full of secrets and lies along with deep issues such as sexual assault and domestic violence. Two well constructed timelines. This is an 'ok' thriller, I just wish it had held my attention a little more.
Rating 3/5
November 11, 2021
OMG OMG OMG. Run…do not walk…to read this psych thriller. I am not exaggerating when I say that it is is one of the best I have read in recent memory. It has absolutely everything a person could want in the genre. The author does a masterful job of laying out plot threads that are seemingly unrelated. The connections only become clear when the author is ready for them to be revealed. I can’t talk too much about the plot because I really do NOT want to give anything away. What can I safely say? The way that Brooke uncovers what is really going on is natural and fits the story. She is not a superhero – in fact, she is someone overcome with grief and guilt. But she has good sense. And her artistic eye allows her to see details that other people may miss. Even with that, though, she is still piecing together parts of the puzzle on the very last page. My theories changed at least a dozen times throughout the story, which means it absolutely kept me guessing. Straight to the top of my best reads of the year list. For more details, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. This review was written based on a digital copy of the book from Bookouture.
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