Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟✨

Make Yourself at Home is a quick, twisty thriller that can easily be read in one sitting. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story and the unreliable narrators. The narration was excellent and the story perfectly paced.

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy Clarke is a new-to-me author, but I can never resist a good-sounding book when it comes my way. I love the idea of books where people keep hidden secrets from their upbringing, and this was the kind of audiobook that I couldn’t wait to start.

It is narrated by Lucy Paterson, who did a fantastic job with the characters and the story. There isn’t a huge cast of characters, but set in the UK, so there are quite a few different voice tones, accents, and manner of speech that Peterson demonstrates throughout the story. As someone who read this book only in audiobook format, my favorite thing is when the characters really have some personality come through clearly, and it was simple to keep track of the characters and the events, since each character was easily distinguishable by vocal tone and accent.

Reading a lot of one genre in a row never works well for me, and I always forget that it is especially true in the mystery/thriller books—they can become formulaic, rely on a deus ex machina, or just leave events kind of open to interpretation. It’s so hard to find a solid author to stick with, so I try to remain open to reading books from new or unfamiliar authors. Sometimes I find a great new author, and sometimes they aren’t a good fit for me.

This book is narrated through the eyes of Catherine, who initially struck me as a character that I found easy to empathize with. However, her personality and behavior changes over time, as she struggles with unresolved grief, increasing paranoia, and situations that become dangerous. I wasn’t sure if she was being set up as an unreliable narrator or if there was something else in the works.

However, over time, I struggled to stay connected to Catherine. The character that I liked at first became more and more oblivious and gullible over time, making it hard to empathize with her when she suffers consequences of her behavior, since it always seems to come as news to Cath. Her relationship with her husband, Gary, baffled me. He was always talking down to Cath, and he was a character that was easy to hate, especially since he had so much motive.

The story opens with Cath getting to school early in the morning, and getting her classroom set up before the children arrive. Cath seems to have a small group of coworkers that she is friendly with, but I really got the feeling that her husband has done an effective job of blocking her from making supportive relationships. Part of it was the way he actively tries to manipulate Cath, while she does everything for him except wash his feet, basically. While she is getting ready to start her work day, she discovers that someone has lit her car on fire in a shocking act of arson.

Events quickly devolved into Cath receiving threatening text messages as the threat came closer to home. I couldn’t figure out why Cath seemed to be unable to make a healthy adult choice throughout the book—I’ve never once brought a random, new coworker home to stay with me for an unmentioned amount of time. Even worse, she kept disregarding Gary’s opinion when she finally did ask about it. The relationship between Cath and Gary was like watching some of the rowdier talk shows, where everything is laid out on the table for all to see.

That is what is was like reading the book: we found out more about Cath’s past and what makes her feel even more stress and fear in response to the messages she is receiving.

Along the way, the friendship between Cath and Lisa develops pretty nicely, and I was thrilled for each of them to have a coworker who is also a friend. The interactions between Gary and Lisa, as well as in his private discussions with Cath, show an entirely different side of her husband, and Cath discovers more about the secrets her husband has been keeping from her. It also slowly reveals pieces from the puzzle of her own past, so that we get a more complete picture of the events that led up to this strange living arrangement.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad book, but it didn’t have that extra thing that makes me sigh when finishing a book that I really loved. Technically, there wasn’t anything wrong with the book other than that I didn’t find myself fully invested in the story. I think part of it was staying connected to a character who I struggle to respect, and Cath’s innocence worked against her in this book.

This book made a 600-mile road trip much more entertaining than it would have been! I was able to question, shout, scream and mutter out loud at the twists, turns, and outrageous behaviour of the characters to my heart's content.

Excellently narrated to capture the fears and frustrations of Catherine as the story unravels.

This was a good read, but it was just missing something for me. It was a little predictable, I had the culprit guessed very early on and some twists were just weird for me.

A compelling psychological mystery about a teacher whose life is turned upside down at the same time as a young colleague, who she is mentoring, reveals herself to be her sister-in-law, estranged from her brother after their parents’ bitter divorce and second marriage. This story is written entirely from Catherine’s point of view and it is evident from the start that nothing is entirely as it should be in her life and that she is either oblivious or in denial. With a single narrator, this works particularly well as an audiobook, and keeps the listener engaged throughout.

With thanks to the author, NetGalley and Bookouture audio for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook.

Thank you for the audio ARC. The narrator did a wonderful job. The story itself was a bit slow for me. It wasn’t quite as “thrilling” and I was hoping for but it had a few interesting twists. There are lies, deceit and mistrust. I felt for Catherine and started to dislike her husband as the story went on. I was torn about Lisa.

Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke is a gripping mystery/thriller that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The story unfolds with an air of suspense, gradually building tension until the shocking revelation of who is behind everything. Clarke masterfully constructs an intricate plot, drawing readers into a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected twists that leave them speechless.

One of the strongest aspects of this novel is Clarke’s ability to build suspense and mislead the reader, only to deliver a surprising and satisfying payoff. The pacing is well-executed, ensuring that every chapter contributes to the overarching mystery while keeping the reader engaged. Her writing style is immersive, with well-developed characters and a setting that enhances the eerie and unsettling tone of the story.

The novel excels in its unpredictability, making it a standout in the genre. Just when you think you have it figured out, Clarke throws in another twist that turns everything upside down. Fans of psychological thrillers and intricate mysteries will appreciate the way the narrative unfolds. If you enjoy a thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end, Make Yourself at Home is a must-read. Wendy Clarke has proven herself as a master of suspense, and this book leaves readers eager to explore more of her work.

I enjoyed this audiobook, I wasn't quite sure where it would go - part of me thought Cathy was crazy & all over the place, part of me got it right.....
It was full of twists and turns. It kept my interest & I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen.
I liked the narrator - I've listened to her narrate before and she's good. Just right for this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Summary: In this psychological thriller, the narrator's seemingly perfect marriage to Gary is upended when his estranged sister Lisa moves in and begins sowing seeds of distrust, hinting at dark secrets while unaware that the narrator harbors a mysterious past of their own.

My review: The Truth About My Husband is a gripping psychological thriller with shocking twists I never saw coming. Lucy Patterson's excellent audio narration brings this tense story to life, making it a quick and satisfying read despite lacking some depth. The well-paced plot delivers a satisfying conclusion that thriller fans will appreciate.

Fiction / Family Life / Psychological / Thrillers - Crime

Make Yourself at Home is scheduled for publication on March 5th, 2025, by Bookouture Audio.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #22/125 for 2025:
Rating: 4🍷🍷🍷🍷
Book: Make Yourself At Home
Author: Wendy Clarke
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
BOOK TOUR

Sipping thoughts: Keep your friends close and your enemies (family) closer? This is something Catherine has to come to grips with. I figured out the final twist and just could not wait for it to be revealed. If you are looking for a domestic thriller filled with lies, deceit, and family secrets then this is the one for you.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley, @BookoutureAudio, and @Bookouture for an advanced copy of @MakeYourselfAtHome.

#MakeYourselfAtHome #WendyClarke #BookoutureAudio #Bookouture #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult
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This is right up my street, great narration, good plot which keeps you engaged with a few twists it really works well. I have read/listened to several books by this author and never fails to disappoint

Catherine, a teacher at a sixth-form school, is being terrorized, not just in her personal life but also at work. When her car is destroyed in a fiery accident, her tragic past resurfaces. Meanwhile, a fellow teacher, Gary’s sister, Lisa, whom Catherine knew nothing about, finds herself without a place to live. Catherine, feeling compassionate, invites her to stay at her home, much to Gary’s disapproval. Tensions rise as secrets begin to surface. Secrets that could ruin more than one life if revealed.

Catherine, Gary and Lisa are not the only players in this tightly-woven story. There is Ross, who is best friends to both Catherine and Gary, and is Catherine’s fellow teacher. He has a story as well. As the story develops, the motivations of each of these characters comes to light, eventually coming to a thrilling conclusion.

Things at home for Catherine and Gary quickly shows signs of strain, and Lisa does feel the pressure of being an interloper, but she just might have her feet dug in nonetheless. For quite some time, Catherine had been carefully concealing her past, but her car’s destruction unravels a web of secrets. Threats emerge, making it difficult for Catherine to discern who to trust.

With the excellent narration by Lucy Peterson, this thrilling story flew by, leaving me shocked at the final outcome.

Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Here is another book by Wendy Clarke that you want to know what is going to happen next. The tension built up in an unbelievable roller coaster way.

The relationship between Gary, his wife Catherine and his half sister Lisa is complicated. Before Lisa stepping in their house, Gary and Catherine were living peacefully and happily. Once Lisa asked Catherine for help to stay at their house, things did change enormously. The loving husband became hiding more secrets. Lisa told Catherine that she should not trust her husband.

Who should Catherine trust?

The secrets, family relationship and their past were addictive. It kept me listerning chapter after chapter. I enjoyed the twisty ending and the ending was something that a surprise. The characters played very well in this thriller which I could imagine their faces when I was reading the book!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

The narrator did an amazing job and always enjoy books that she narrates. This is is a solid quick moving book and easy listen. The narrator brought Catherine the main character to life and made you engage in her story. I would definitely be checking out more by this author in the future especially via audio. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

Make Yourself at Home by Wendy Clarke was absolutely amazing and now available. Hook line and sinker, she caught me. I listened to this in one sitting because I just had to know what happened next. It is addictive, so many twists and it is fast-paced. I thought I had figured out what was happening and who was behind it another twist came and threw a wrench in my thoughts on it,

Schoolteacher Catherine becomes a mentor and takes pity on the newest English professor in training at her school. She definitely didn’t know that Lisa claimed to be Gary (Catherines Husbands) sister or so they thought. Catherine invites Lisa to stay with them when she finds her sleeping in the school because she was kicked out of her parents allegedly. Gary did not like one bit that Lisa was staying at their home and the tension was rising rapidly in that home.

The tension between Gary and Lisa gets ramped up when Catherine finds more out about Gary’s family and his so called sister. Catherine speaks to Garys parents who is estranged from them, and what she learned was horrifying, leading her to not be able to trust anyone, not even Gary.

The Narrator Lucy Paterson did an amazing job and really put the emotion in Catherine especially, you could feel what she was feeling. This is a solid book, and is a perfect quick (because you got hooked and couldn’t stop) read. Perfect for after reading something really heavy. I can’t wait to read more from Wendy Clarke!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this Advance listener copy.

3.6 stars — rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ARC audiobook of 'Make Yourself at Home'. This mysterious tale follows Catherine, her husband Gary, and Gary’s half-sister Lisa. While this wasn’t the most intense or heart-pounding thriller I’ve read, it was easy to follow and kept my interest throughout.

The narrator delivered a solid performance overall, though I do think the character voices could have been better differentiated to make it easier to follow the dialogue shifts.

By the halfway point, I felt like I had pieced together much of the plot — and I was partially right — but there were still enough twists, tension, and sabotage (plus a few fires!) to keep me engaged.

Overall, a quick and easy read with a decent dose of suspense.

This was a really good book. I listened to the audio version and enjoyed it so much. The narrator is excellent and her voice really draws you into the story. This book was tense and left you guessing throughout. It's one of those books where you think you know but you don't. There is a point where it's not incredibly hard to figure out who is doing what but it's okay, it still plays out nicely.
This book is written well and definitely worth the read. I'm looking forward to reading and listening to more by this author.

Well, that was a ride for sure! There was a lot that I expected but also many twists I did not see coming. I know an author did a good job when I have such strong feelings (good and bad) towards a character and wow I had feelings for each characters at every point in the story. As the story went on, it seems a little far fetched and I got a little bit of whiplash trying to keep up with the last 20%, but I still flew through this in a day!

the twists in this book are so good! that being said, there were a few things that didn’t fully piece together for me. like katherine and karen’s friendship, which i wish had been explored more. overall, this was such a gripping story of a messy, tangled friendship triangle between a couple and the husband’s best friend, who also happens to be close with the wife. it’s tricky, unsettling, and constantly has you second-guessing everything. definitely recommend for those who love psychological mind games and complicated relationships.

I have read a book by Wendy Clarke before and she does not disappoint, it was a great listen, I really enjoyed it, it was full of twists and turns, however I figured it out before the end, but still recommend reading or listening to Make yourself at Home! Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!