This is such a compelling book. Right from the start you are drawn into a web of guilt, secrets, lies and intrigue. Almost every character has a reason for you to be suspicious of them and so this is a very tense read as you wait in anticipation of the truth being revealed. There are shocks aplenty as little tidbits of information are drip-fed to the reader, as our protagonists are drawn closer and closer to a danger which is even more terrifying for its mystery and as things you thought you knew to be true are turned on their head. I finished the book in one sitting, staying up well into the early hours to do so. I was so gripped by the story, nothing could have dragged me away from finishing it. The Family is a masterclass in tension and suspense and I highly recommend it.

Having read all Louise’s other books, I just knew this was going to be of a high standard simply because it had Louise’s name on the front cover. What I didn’t realise is that this would be something totally different to her other 4 books!
This new thriller is so much darker, much more intense, and has so many twists in it that the shock element really takes you by surprise. I loved how Louise wrote the book as in it made you want to keep reading to find out what was being said behind closed doors, or what had been whispered into someone’s ear.... absolutely brilliant how it keeps you on the edge of your seat to find out what is going on!
My favourite book from Louise has always been The Gift, but this thriller has taken Louise’s writting to a whole new level for me, and this is now topping the list of my favourites from her.

I Highly recommend The Family

Most people know that Louise Jensen is a pro at psychological thrillers, but The Family is in a league of its own. With multiple threads woven through, twists at every turn, and a pace fast enough to make your heart race, I couldn't stop turning the pages of The Family. Another triumph for Jensen.

Wow! Just simply wow! I have read a few of this authors books now and this has simply got to be my favourite. It is a story that will stick with me for a long time. Thinking about the bonds between flesh family or chosen family. We always say we wish we could choose our family, and after this book I dont think I would ever say it again! The twists and turns keep coming right up until you turn that last page. If you have some time to kill, pick up this book because quite simply you wont be able to put it down!

Wow! What a book, every time I had to stop reading I couldn’t wait to get back to it to see what happens!! Very gripping and tense. 😄

They say every family has its secrets. This story is told from the points of view of Laura and her daughter Tilly, and occasionally from the third person POV of the charismatic Alex. Laura’s husband dies in an accident and she’s in danger of losing her house and her business. Alex, a trained lawyer, and his group of friends – a ‘family’ from choice – seem to be set to save them. They go to live at Oak Leaf Farm with its organic vegetable business and come under Alex’s influence and care. Everyone has secrets and I loved the way things appeared to be one way but turned out another. It was very well done and a most enjoyable read. Sadly, for me, the ending felt rushed and incomplete. It almost felt like it was setting up for a sequel. I’d have preferred a firmer and more final end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

This book was just too far fetched and unbelievable for me.

An old weaver's cottage, one hundred years old, really, more like three to four hundred. An Aga in somewhere that remote, not a real Aga. They don't run on wood and never have. Farmers putting lambs in the top oven to keep warm. The oven's aren't that big for a start and the top oven is a roasting oven, soon be roast lamb. They didn't put them in the bottom one either. In a box by the side, in front of, but never in.

So, your husband dies after falling from scaffolding and as only an interim death certificate is issued until the inquest, you can't claim on the insurance and you think running off to some “hippie commune” is the answer to your problems. Some Svengali, who just happens to have trained as a solicitor offers to help you sort it all out and you fall for it.

The book skipped between different people, Laura, Tilly, Alex etc. All this did was make the book longer and broke the flow and at times I lost who was talking. Every so often a Welsh word would be thrown in, why? It didn't add to the book and the word Anyhoo, where did that come from. Don't try and do dialects and accents, most of the time it doesn't work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC copy in return for an honest review.

I was totally gripped by this clever, twisty thriller, and couldn't put it down. The author leads the reader into making assumptions, which aren't necessarily correct, leaving us, like the main character Laura, unsure about everything. A really original and intelligent book, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A very twisty/turny book, I never did work out the true culprit so the reveal was a complete surprise to me! I enjoyed the cult-type setting and thought it was very clever. Alex was a creep even though he was supposed to be a nice guy and I didnt believe the nice guy routine.

A great book and actually with the sunshine being out I was able to relax and read it almost from start to finish without putting it down.

What would you do if you were offered a chance to heal after a tragedy and go to live on a farm. You can stay as long as you want as long as you work on the farm and help out. There's someeone there who can help you with legal matters too. You and your daughter have a second chance with this new set of people. A new family perhaps?

Well, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is not the kind of family but more of a cult. The novel however is much more than just about a cult. It's about family and wanting to belong, We hear from the mum and daughter and Alex who runs the farm. Each of them have very different views about the situation and what the family really means.

Creepy and compelling

The suspense in this book was not as intense of some of her previous books, but it did keep my attention and keep me guessing. I kept telling myself it was predictable but then once you get to the end, you find out it was not predictable at all! Lots of storylines come together at the end you never would have though connected.

Having read and loved several of Louise Jensen’s books I knew that I was in for a thrilling ride with lots of twists. Fasten you’re seatbelt and enjoy!

Laura’s husband has died after falling from scaffolding on his construction site. She and her daughter are struggling over his loss and are going to lose their home and flower shop as the insurance company are delaying paying up.

When Saffron comes to the shop she offers her help, she lives on a farm running the Saffron Farm Oak Leaf Organics. She offers her a place to stay rent free in exchange for her helping out on the farm and suggests that Alex the charismatic leader can give her legal advise. Everyone seems friendly. Have they found a safe haven?

The story is told from Alex, Tilly and Laura’s point of view. There are hints along the way that all 3 are keeping secrets and are not whom they seem to be.

A very intriguing, addictive book. What would a mother do to protect her daughter? I was worried that this was going to be about another cult, but this is more intricate that with its clever plot and twists along the way.

Looking forward to Louise’s next book, you’re imagination knows no bounds!!

A must read book that I can not recommend enough.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

A fast paced read, with lots of twists. Lots of secrets and touched on the relationship between a mother and daughter. Very suspenseful and kept you guessing right to the end.

I persevered with this to the end and there were one or two surprising twists. However, the plot was muddled and confusing, too many facts were held back until the end, the dialogue was melodramatic and the characters ranged from weak to nasty. This is a typical plot- driven thriller with a theme of brainwashing which didn't really develop enough.

Very dark and twisty... was another good book from this Author. Lots of twists that i didn't see coming. Looking forward to her next book. Never seems to disappoint.


Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an early release of this book.

Even when I dislike a book I always try and start a review with a positive comment, I’m failing to come up with one for The Family.

The blurb sounded amazing and I knew I had to read it....oh how I wish I’d never requested this. There isn’t a single likeable character in this story, too much stupidity for me to even list. I understand brainwashing, I’ve read many a good book where it’s easy to see how characters become manipulated and entwined, The Family failed on every level. I can’t even recommend this to casual readers.

It’s terrible, with predictable “twists”, don’t waste your time on this when there’s plenty of better books on the market.

An intriguing and compulsive read. The story follows Laura and her 17-year-old daughter Tilly who after the tragic loss of Gavan move into a local farm which houses a small commune of people lead by Alex.

The story is told from the perspective of Laura, Tilly in the first person and Alex in the third person. It is interesting to see the different perspectives of Laura and Tilly in certain situations and clearly shows the angst and uncertainties in their relationship. The story heavily teases at the secrets held by each of the three as it progresses.

There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the tale and nothing is as it seems.

A gripping page-turner that I would recommend to others.

This is the third book I have read by Louise Jensen (the other two being The Sister and The Gift), and I love how they are all thrillers with a difference. This is definitely the darkest of her stories I have read; addressing how brainwashing can be perceived by different people from the perspectives of 17 year old Tilly and her mother, Laura (as well as a couple of other characters). I was really gripped during the last quarter of the book, where the action really picks up, and becomes very dramatic - yet still somehow believable, which is something many thrillers lack.