I have read and enjoyed all of Louise Jensen's books so far and this was no exception. It held my attention from the first page and I read late into the night to finish it..

The Family is a well written, complex and atmospheric psychological thriller full of twists and turns that will have you guessing to the end.

Highly recommend!

What an amazing book - I was hooked from the first page. A book that starts with a gun killing but does not say who or why - all is explained in the last few pages. The story Centres around Laura and her daughter Tilly, but as time goes on more and more lies emerge changing the route of the story. A wonderful read covering topics such as rape, teenage issues, infidelity, murder and cult life in a plausible way.
I loved it and can’t wait for the next book by this great author who weaves such convoluted psychological scenarios.

What a book! This had me hooked from the very start and I raced through with my heart in my mouth at times. This is a real psychological thriller, a must read for anyone who likes the genre. I’ll definitely read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

It's my stop on the blog tour for The Family by Louise Jensen. Grateful thanks to Jess at HQ Stories for my copy. I was hugely excited when I heard Louise had written another book, I have devoured every book she has written and with each the tempo, pace and bar is raised. She has immense talent, an author that sucks you right into the heart of the story from page 1.

This book follows the story of Laura and daughter Tilly as they navigate their way through the path of grief, Gavan, husband and father died tragically after falling from the roof of a house he was building. At the same time they are faced with sudden isolation from the rest of the family too, for reasons unknown to them. Almost from the very first chapter I had a nervousness low in the belly, a grey, miserable feeling of dread that hung like a cloud over me. Laura is struggling to cope both emotionally and financially and is trying to hold it together for Tilly. Tilly is finding herself without friends and ostracised at school by her friends and both try to keep their hurt and grief from each other.

There are hints and insinuations that Gavan, Lauras husband didn't die as a result of an accident and the insurance company are withholding payment of his life insurance whilst it is investigated. The family are at rock bottom and broken. Laura is about to lose the roof over their heads and has no idea what she is going to do, how they will survive, where they will live. She is thrown a lifeline in the form of Alex and Oak Leaf Organics - Saffron came to Laura's rescue one day after she fell ill and they became friends, she told her she should visit the farm, that she'd be made welcome whilst she gathered her thoughts and planned a strategy for the months ahead.

Laura reluctantly accepts the lifeline, she has no choice, things couldn't get any worse. Family have turned their back on her and she is desperate. As her car rattled up the potholed, lane to the secluded farm I was internally repeating don't do this, turn around, don't go in. The atmosphere as I read felt tight and claustrophobic I had the most uneasy feeling and my senses were on full alert.

The farm turned out to be a commune of sorts that was a refuge to several others - they were welcoming and caring and welcomed Laura and Tilly into their fold. So why did it feel so wrong, why did I feel anxious and had a gut feeling that screamed things weren't quite right? Laura and Tilly were at rock bottom, they'd lost everything and gave off a sense of empty hopelessness. Saffron, Alex & commune should be their saviour but oh boy, I so wished she'd had second thoughts. Oak Leaf Organics turned out to be both heaven and hell as both Tilly and Laura got sucked into the life there and were pulled in different directions. I didn't trust anyone.

The more I read, the more I couldn't shake the sick feeling of dread that rose from low in the heart of my stomach. I had that feeling that makes you want to stop reading or start reading in equal measures. Too scared to know what’s behind the story yet a burning need to know what comes next. This was a book that haunted me whilst I read it and haunted me when I finished it. Nobody is who they seem, everyone has a back story and a hidden agenda, with individual stories so separate yet joined like the links on a bracelet.

Louise Jensen is a firm go to author of mine, an author that I would buy and read without having read anything about the story. Louise thank you for yet another page turning thriller that hooked me in and gripped me so tightly I felt captive, breathless and broken as I walked in the footsteps of Laura and Tilly. An outstanding read that will stay with me forever, a read I have already recommended to so many friends, thank you.

Gah, I am not sure what words I can use to review this book! This is the first book I have read of Louise’s but it is no way going to be my last…mainly because I have most of them on my Kindle but more importantly I love love love her writing and I need more!

The Family is filled with so much intrigue and tension it had me devouring the book in two sittings, two because I had to be sociable! My god this was fantastic, I was enamoured by Alex, the “leader” of Oak Leaf Farm, I was sucked in just like Laura and Tilly. This should have been a fresh start they both needed after losing Garvan, husband and dad and dealing with the all the family drama, as it says on the blurb things really do not appear to be what they seem!

Most authors can pull the rug out from under me, however, Louise not only pulled the rug, but she also pulled the carpet, floorboards and kept going until I was in the cellar with a hard thud! I had no idea where I was being taken until I got there and I did not expect what I got! I was so sucked in with the way of life on the farm, the community that although I suspected something was off-kilter I didn’t want to believe it. Yes, I know you are basically told in the blurb something isn’t right, but I wanted it to be wrong! So wrong!

I really don’t want to spoil any part of the book for you but I do have to say it is a belter. The chapters are told by Laura, Tilly and Alex, all have their own secrets, some will do more damage than others. Even the reader is not exposed to what the secrets are until they are revealed adding to the shock for us the reader. Some of these secrets really did break my heart and I may have shed a small tear at one point, some shocked and some chilled me to the bone. I was devoted to The Family in the same way that Laura and Tilly were devoted to Alex, it played on my mind when I did not have the book in my hand, I had a need to get back to the farm, the “family”, my chosen family for the duration of the book. The ambiguity in this story also chilled me, I felt no relief and I found I was looking over my shoulder, you know just in case as you never quite know who is watching you.

One thing this book did remind me of was the tv show The Affair, but I am talking about the essence, one thing that drew me to the show was how well they filmed it. In one scene Noah, the dad is with his family in a restaurant and he spies Alison, to him she is a goddess and full of life and confidence. Yet, when you see it from her point of view, she sees herself as all dowdy and worthless and broken. Here, Louise adopted this type of point of view, in Laura’s chapter she felt Tilly was being cold and uncaring and angry. When you are in Tilly’s head, she is angry but at herself for the way she behaved, always feeling like her mum was condescending her, both being unreliable to us, yet adding to the realistic element of the book because it is true. We all see things one way when in fact sometimes it is the complete opposite but it is how we interpret it. Here, in The Family, this misinterpretation causes a lot of friction and causes pain and anger where it just did not need to be, if only we all spoke to each other, but come on where would the fun be in that!

My final thought…..that ending. Jeez, Louise! Woweeeeeeeeeeee, I am still thinking about it now. I am still thinking about the book. This is what Louise has done, maybe it was always her plan to create her own little cult. I am like a lamb to the slaughter off to read her other books now it is now demanded, as her hashtag says #WelcometoTheFamily…..

Well, I don't know where to start with this review... I remember reading The Sister and being quite creeped out but also in awe of how this author could weave such an intricate, twisted tale. I've been rather hooked on her books ever since.

When I read the synopsis for The Family, I was really intrigued. It sounds really dark and thought provoking. It is absolutely both of those things, and so much more!

This is a story that often quotes that "blood is thicker than water" and talks about chosen family. I'm a firm believer in both of those concepts so this story really gripped me. It's deep, dark, eerie, compelling and emotionally driven. It's very much a whodunit, in the sense that you don't know who to trust, who to believe, if anyone at all. Nothing is as it seems, no one should be trusted but it's all so innocent sounding and calming. A retreat from the rat race.

I read this book in 5 hours, a record for me! I loved every breath taking second of this roller coaster ride!

I’d not read a Louise Jensen before but I think I’ll read another. Despite being pretty busy recently, I flew through The Family on one hell of a fast ride.

There is a lot of mother-daughter relationship exploration, which is always an interesting dynamic in a psychological thriller. Laura and Tilly’s relationship is a driving force for many of the decisions they both made. Getting both of their perspectives really helped me to understand them, so although it did feel a little disjointed at times, the multiple perspectives were the best choice for characterisations. I read this as an eBook ARC, which often involve display issues and I’m sure that didn’t help with the flow between chapters.

As there often is between mothers and daughters, there is an intense unspoken rivalry between Laura and Tilly. This shows itself in many guises throughout the novel and it definitely reinforces the believability of their relationship. It also adds to the ante of the plot and another level of conflict to contend with.

The book is bursting with a constant sense of unease. The cause of the unease changes but there is never a lull into true peace, which is ironic considering the kind of atmosphere the residents of Gorphwysfa are trying to provide. I knew that an explosive ending was hurtling its way towards me and my mind was frantically trying to figure out the ins and outs of it. I got a little confused when one of the twists was revealed as the timeline of events didn’t seem to add up but that’s something that a re-read should clear up, if I’m mistaken.

I really loved spending time with Tilly and she felt so real to me. She is incredibly insecure and sad and she does everything she can to hide it. My heart went out to her on multiple occasions and I just wanted to protect her from Alex and the commune that she has been dragged into. She is the ideal cult victim and I didn’t really know whether she’d come out of things well or whether the whole experience would damage her beyond repair. She is constantly seeking approval from pretty much everyone and I was willing her to find her own self-acceptance but her vulnerability gave her an authentic endearing quality.

Alex is a cookie-cutter cult leader and as soon as I met him, I realised what the situation really was. The whole atmosphere has a Manson family vibe about it and I lost some respect for Laura, when she decided to inexplicably put the scraps of her life into Alex’s hands. I found him so creepy and I couldn’t really understand why the women of the community were so drawn to him. I grew to like him and sympathise with him more as his story was revealed but I never understood his charm.

At his core, Alex isn’t a bad person and although he is manipulative and dangerous, I did feel sorry for him. I’m not completely convinced of a lot of his motives and I feel there are still a few secrets that didn’t quite get a chance to come to light. However, I believed that he has a good heart. I can’t talk too much about what is actually happening behind the scenes for fear of spoilers but the truth is much more complicated than a simple brainwashing.

As you might expect from the title, The Family explores the idea of family and the many forms that can take. All of Gorphwysfa’s residents are seeking some kind of love, acceptance and sense of belonging and in each other, they find that. They advocate for chosen family over flesh family, which becomes even more relevant as Laura’s secrets surface. The title is also a nod to the Manson case that I’m sure was an inspiration for the story, as a real-life case of deadly indoctrination.

There’s no doubt that this is a very haunting, unsettling novel and I really loved drawing the parallels between the cult of Gorphywysfa and what I know about the Manson Family. I didn’t see the little details of the story coming and I have to commend Jensen for that. Despite some continuity and confusion issues, it was a very quick, twisty read for the spooky season.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

How far would you go to protect those you love?

This book is fast paced and grips you from the first chapter, drawing you in for a bumpy, heartbreaking ride full of twists you don't see coming.
The story unfolds told from the perspective of three of the main characters - Laura, Tilly and Alex.
I loved the twists at the end of the book and all my guessing throughout the book never came close to the ending it panned out to be.
Such a gripping read.
#netgalley #thefamily #partners

‘Once you’re in, they’ll NEVER let you leave’ - cover ‘The Family’

My thanks to HQ for an eARC via NetGalley of Louise Jenson’s ‘The Family’ in exchange for an honest review.

After the sudden death of her husband, Laura is struggling with her overwhelming grief and severe financial problems. While there was an insurance policy it cannot be paid out until after the inquest some months away. Also, Laura is having issues with her husband’s family.

Then a lifeline is presented to Laura and her 17-year old daughter, Tilly, by local community, Oak Leaf Organics. Alex, its charismatic leader, offers them both a home and work for Laura in their business. Yet there are sinister undertones with this new ‘family’, including Alex’s controlling nature. Even more worrying for Laura is that Tilly seems enthralled by Alex. No more plot details to avoid spoilers.

This was my first experience of Louise Jensen’s work and I found it quite a well paced, engaging read with the kind of twists that are standard for this type of psychological thriller/domestic noir. As suggested by the title the narrative explores a number of issues around the meaning of family.

(Probably my age is showing with the title reminding me of Charlie Manson.)

After this positive experience I certainly will consider reading more of her novels.

This book was well written, thrilling and had a good pace. I did enjoy Jensen's writing style. But, it was rather darker than I thought it would be. I will definitely look for her books in the future.
If you're looking for a family drama/thriller type of book, this is a good option.

Thanks a lot NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.

My Review
I must admit I always find it such a treat to read a book by author Louise Jensen. You just know you are in for a mighty read when you pick one of her books up.
In "The Family" we meet Laura & her daughter Tilly. Both are mourning the loss of a husband and father.
I felt throughout the novel that both wanted to have a closer relationship with each other but couldn't quite get there.
Both are hurting in their own way and neither wants to upset or burden the other.
So perhaps given the emotional and financial turmoil Laura finds herself struggling with, Oak Leaf Organics seems like a good idea, a welcoming community, a place where she can clear her head and receive help with the mess she finds her husband has left her in.
She's vulnerable, maybe not thinking quite clearly but wants to protect her daughter and find a home for both of them.
I felt quite sad for Laura. With no family as such to turn to and a cloud of suspicion surrounding her husbands death, she needs support to help her get through her grief.
When suspicious and sinister things begin to happen in the community they now call home, Laura must try to protect them both and take them as far away as possible from these people.
But how do you do this when your daughter refuses to leave?
And then, what if the community doesn't want you to leave?
This story is completely engrossing, chilling to say the least and you will feel the hairs stand on the back of your neck throughout it.
At times I had one eye on the book pages frantically reading and the other looking around me in case anything leapt out of the dark crevices....
Definitely one to put on your list. I couldn't put it down if I'm honest..
Well done Louise, a brilliant book..

Thank you kindly to author Louise Jensen and her publishers HQ for my copy of this book. Much appreciated.

This review will be hard for me. Let me first say that I love Louise Jensen’s writing style, however, with that being said this was definitely a tough book for me to get through. This one is my fourth book by her and I have one more yet to read. First, I loved the tough topic of brainwashing and manipulation she talks about. I love the fact she touches on family issues whether it is blood family or non blood family. This book tore at my heart strings with all of the lies, deceit, and doubt of self worth and love. Second, I loved the twists and turns and the connections found between certain characters. Last, the hard part was, the book started out slow. I love the fact that she threw in everyone’s turmoil and huge secrets held but it did not pick up for me until close to the end. Overall it was a good book and I would definitely
recommend it.

Family. Secrets. Lies. Cults. Death. Revenge.

As soon as I read the chilling synopsis and saw the eerie cover I knew I HAD to read this book. Shadowy, sinister, claustrophobic, and dripping with suspense, this was an intoxicating and involving read.

Louise Jensen is an author who’s been on my radar for a while, but somehow I’ve never quite got around to reading one of her books. I am so glad I finally did and that it was this book. The Family is a sharp, well plotted and twisty novel, and a cunning hall of mirrors experience that I couldn’t put down. Right up until the final page she had me guessing and on the edge of my seat.

I read a lot of thrillers and I always think that reading a story where the characters are trapped in a situation or place elevates the tension. Laura and Tilly are slowly lured into their new “family” and imprisoned in the community. It happens with such subtlety that it takes them a while to see the warning signs, and some they don’t see at all.

The story is told from multiple points of view which is something I always enjoy. I love getting a glimpse into the minds of the characters and trying to ascertain if they are reliable in what they’re saying. I also find it fascinating to read the same event from different points of view and in this book I particularly enjoyed doing so from a mother and daughter perspective as there viewpoints were inevitably very unalike. As a mother of teenagers these glaring contrasts were thought provoking and a great reminder of the fact that how we intend things is not always how it comes across or is received.

The believability of this story is a testament to the author’s talent. All the characters had depth and I thought she chose her narrators perfectly. Laura is vulnerable, helpless and desperate and her daughter is both her weakness and her strength. She’s only there for a short-term fix and never fully buys into what they’re selling her. Tilly is feeling isolated, confused and angry. Her pain is palpable and her fierce need for acceptance sees her drinking the kool-aid quickly while also falling under Alex’s spell. Alex is the perfect cult leader and villain. He’s magnetic, charming and affable but the readers also get to see his inner turmoil and flagitious nature. Together they are a perfect storm.

So, if you’re looking for something creepy and dark to read on a cold autumn night, I would highly recommend this jaw-dropping and unnerving thriller.

Thank you to HQ for my invitation to take part in the blog tour and to NetGalley and HQ for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve never read a novel by Louise Jenson, but I will definitely look out for her again, she writes a brilliant thriller that is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing right to the end, it’s hard to write a review with out giving away the plot, but this is definitely worth reading.

Not really sure about this book, overall it was a good story but not an edge of seat thriller for me but it's not easy to pinpoint why I felt like this.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Harlequin for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this. I really enjoyed it. Was totally not what I thought it would be. Well written and full of exciting twists.

Laura loses her husband, her business and her house. Some people from a farm offer her a chance to live with them..... the locals call them a cult... but are they? They look like one big happy family.

Laura is struggling after the unexpected death of her husband and is at breaking point trying to support herself and her daughter. Then an offer of help from Oak Leaf Organics is one that she seemingly can't refuse. But the decision to accept their help leads to them becoming part of an unusual community where sinister things start to happen. Right from the first page the story drew me in and kept me enthralled. At times the relationship between Laura and Tilly had me almost shouting out in frustration because I really wanted them to be able to help and support one another without all the misunderstandings and I felt real empathy for both of them. As they become more deeply involved in their new life things take a dark turn and the twists and turns of the plot really keep you guessing. I thought at one point I had it all figured out, but I was wrong. This addictive and creepy psychological thriller is difficult to put down once you start and will keep you gripped until the end.

As a big fan of Louise Jensen’s previous books I jumped at the chance to read this and I have to say I was not disappointed! The Family is by far my favourite (perhaps my favourite book this year)! The storyline is fantastic, the characters very well written and the twists unseen. I had so many questions and suspicions throughout the book - the answers unexpected. I loved how the story was told from certain characters perspectives - especially between mother and daughter. It really made me think about how others perceive the same situation/conversations in a different way. If you’re looking for a great read - I cannot recommend this enough. Could not put this down!

I found the beginning of the book rather confusing. I don’t like having no idea what is going on. The reader is left in the dark for a few chapters as to what is actually going on in the lives of the main characters Laura and her daughter, Tilly. Even after you find out the current situation, there are still big chunks of their lives that are hinted at, but not divulged. I understand this was supposed to keep you interested in the story, but honestly, I just found it annoying. So ignoring that, once I got further into the book, I did enjoy it and I am glad I stuck with it. Each chapter tells you who’s view point you are reading. It was really interesting to see how the same situation can be interpreted differently, depending on the person. I haven’t seen this technique used in many books and it was a refreshing change. I recommend this book, stick with it, you will enjoy it. Thank you #netgalley

What would you do if, in your time of need, a stranger offers you a helping hand? Would you accept it and take it as kindness? And is it really kindness, or could it be deceit?

Because that’s exactly what’s happening to Laura. While she’s grieving the recent loss of her husband, she is struggling to cope financially as well. She’s about to lose everything, including her business and her home. And just as things seem to be completely falling apart, a kind young woman that walks into her store offers her a solution.

Laura and her daughter Tilly are offered a home in a local community called Oak Leaf Organics. It would be perfect solution for her problems. Because they’ll have a roof over their heads, she’ll have a place to grieve the loss of her husband in peace and there will be a communal income because the community sells their home-grown produce to provide for them all.

It sounds like the perfect solution, but is it really?

Above all, everyone works for the greater good of the group and it all seems happy and peaceful. Yet it doesn’t take long for the cracks the show in this perfect picture.

Meanwhile the community leader, the charismatic Alex, soon has his eye on Tilly. And teenager Tilly finds herself head over heels with Alex shortly after arriving. When someone dies in suspicious circumstances things really take a turn for the worse. It might have been the perfect decision to come and stay, but it will be near impossible to leave.

While Louise Jensen created a seemingly perfect and idyllic place with Oak Leaf Organics, she also manages to make it seem creepy and sinister at the same time. As a reader I saw lot of red flags with this community and Alex. The vibe she created made it appear obvious for an outsider that there was a lot of manipulation going on as well as things “just don’t adding up”. Yet, Louise perfectly mastered the point of view for Laura and Tilly who didn’t see those things. Not right away anyway.

Meanwhile, nothing was as straightforward as it seemed. There were plot twist and events that put me on the wrong track for the ending of the book. Exactly what a psychological thriller should do.

Therefore I really recommend this book to everyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. Louise Jensen created another masterpiece with The Family.