A slightly predictable psychological thriller that is still a pager turner as I was intrigued to see how far the author would push the main protagonist.This was my first experience of Jackie Kabler and overall the writing style was strong, I was definitely invested in the main girl Beth's plight.She had been without a mother since the age of ten after mum Alice walked out on the family.This influenced an impressionable young Beth that it even effected the way she was at school.30 years later and...

When Beth was ten years old, her beautiful, wild mother Alice walked out and never came back. Beth's life since then hasn't always been plain sailing, but she's happy and settled with a successful career, a loving family and a beautiful home. Then one day there's a knock at the door. Alice has returned and Beth invites her mother to move in. At first, everything was wonderful. But Beth's friends begin to drift away, strange things start to happen at home and rumours start to circle about her pas...

UGH, I hate writing bad reviews but I gotta be honest, right? I really enjoyed The Perfect Couple by this author so I was really excited to get this from NetGalley. Unfortunately I was really disappointed with this one. It was very repetitive, the main character was whiny and weak, and I had figured out the big secret and the twist about 60 pages in. Three big negatives from me. Sadly I can’t think of anything positive to say about this read, I won’t get the time back. One dimensio

Wow - this is another fast paced read from Jackie Kabler. Although I’d sort of worked out bits of it by the mid point, it definitely didn’t spoil the ending. Such great defined characters and the storyline grabs you and takes you a ride.

Beth's mom, Alice, disappeared 30 years ago. But wouldn't you believe the luck? Alice has magically reappeared into Beth's life after all these years! But strange things are happening. Who is responsible?This book was not for me. First, it had body shaming in it. That is a big no-no, and I really, really wish the character involved would have said, "I'm a real woman. I've had children. This is what a real body looks like." Instead, the character just felt guilty and self conscious. Second, the p...

This is a Suspense Mystery/Thriller. This is a super slow moving thriller. I have to say I found reading most of this book just ok. I guess the big reveal way before it was revealed, but the was a small reveal at the end right after the big reveal that I did not see coming. I did really enjoyed that part of the book. I found this book to be to slow moving. I only give this book three stars because the last few chapters was so good. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (O...

Beth is a busy but happy divorced mother of two young children but her life has not always been easy. When Beth was only ten years of age her mother (Alice) suddenly left her and her dad and they never heard from her again. Beth was raised by her loving and doting father but it could never replace her sorrow at feeling abandoned by her mom. Being a loving mother herself she could never imagine leaving her children behind in any circumstance. One day an unexpected visitor arrives at her door and

This was a fast-paced read, centered on divorced mom of two, Beth, whose mother walked out on her 30 years ago when she was just 10 years old. Beth lives a happy and fulfilled life, but always felt like something was missing due to the absence of her mother in her life. One day, out of the blue, her mother appears at her door. Beth is overjoyed when her mother shows up and immediately invites her into her life, even staying with her at her house. However, strange things almost immediately start

I was not very happy with "The Happy Family".WHY? "The Happy Family" was a lackluster thriller that was predictable and anything but thrilling. I selected the book because I enjoyed Jackie Kabler's two earlier books: "The Perfect Couple" and "Am I Guilty?" Unfortunately, "The Happy Family" lacked the compelling storyline, believability, and intrigue of the author's earlier novels. The book's whiny protagonist made the book a challenge to finish. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was e...

Favorite Quote:There will be more rain, more darkness, of course there will. But there will always be rainbows. You just have to weather the storm, and then lift your face up and look for them.My Review:This was a slowly unfolding, busy, and multi-layered tale that kept me tethered to my Kindle, although I was conflicted with the main character throughout as I found her to be annoying and rather witless. Maybe because I was a mercilessly bullied youth myself, so I had a heaping helping of antago...

Publication date 4th June 2021, thank you netgalley harper Collins publishers and Jackie Kabler for the digital advanced copy of the happy family. After 30 years Beth opens her front door to discover her long lost mum. Although this should be the best time of her life, she's privately dealing with incidents that's lead her to believe that her biggest regret and secret is coming back to haunt. Her happiness at her mothers return is dampened as her life seems to be falling apart in the process. Wh...

Jackie Kabler does it again with another of her psychological thriller books. I’ve read “The Perfect Couple” and I enjoyed it very much. This time, I did not just enjoy it, but also had unstoppable anxiety feelings while reading it, in a positive way of course. I couldn't guess “whodunnit” and at the same time I’m thinking “how come I missed the clue?” Beth Holland, a single mother, has a settled and happy life with two children and best friends around her. Until one day, a woman knocked on her

I liked this book but it did not blow me away. I thought the plot was too obvious and the protagonist, Beth, excruciatingly naive. It was an ok read but I did not get the thrills I was hoping for.When Beth’s long-lost mother abruptly turns up on her doorstep, Beth asks no questions, instead seeking the relationship that she has craved for so many years. Keen to see her a part of the family, Beth encourages her mum to stay in the family home for the long-term so that she and Beth can catch up aft...

Oh, this book was so totally right up my alley. I devoured it. I could so easily myself and my own mother in these roles. Poor Beth was so happy that her mother had finally come into her life and opened up to her completely. To no surprise, her mother took advantage, no holds bar. I saw everything coming in this edge-of-my-seat thriller except . . . well, you'll see. I don't want to give anything away. Some of the story was redundant--similar things happening that didn't need to happen because t...

Well you know a book is pretty amazing when you actually exclaim WTAF in full out loud at a key moment. Thankfully no one was around and I didn't have to explain, but once again Jackie Kabler has managed to keep me on my toes throughout. I think at times I had thought about various of the outcomes and my mind flitted on most of the truths, but I couldn't quite figure out the specifics and I was still very shocked as everything is revealed. But the journey to get there was utterly addicting, kept...

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)I'm excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Jackie Kabler's latest tale of domestic suspense THE HAPPY FAMILY.Having read her previous thriller "The Perfect Couple" , I had high hopes for this book...and I wasn't disappointed. Addicted pretty much from the beginning, THE HAPPY FAMILY is anything but a happy family. But oh how it's dysfunctionality worked!When Beth was ten years old her mother walked out of their lives and never came back. Now she is forty, a...

I really didn't care for this book. Two things I dislike are knowing the ending to a thriller and having to push myself to finish a book. The main character was also a rather dreary individual, who I just could not connect with. I found her lack common sense utterly annoying and at the end was so fed up with her behaviour, I found myself having little empathy for her.Overall, I would recommend passing on this one if you like a strong main character and thrillers with a twist.Thank you to NetGall...

This book was a slow burner. It’s been a while since I’ve DNF’d a book because I am usually pleasantly surprised in the end. That was for sure the case here. The character development is spot on. It reminded me of a Tarryn Fisher novel in this regards, and the slow burn. The main character is Beth who’s mother walked out on her and her dad at 10. What unfolds is a story of a heinous childhood act, and an unraveling present. You know when Beths mother suddenly appears that something is amok, but