This was exactly what I wanted: cults, mysteries and complex family dynamics. It took me a little while to get into, but it was worth sticking with

Louise is a talented writer who has the ability to pull you in and hold you captive. This was another fantastic book to read.

Alright, let me spill the tea on this one! The three-person narrative in this book had me hooked like a fish on a line - talk about an extra perspective of events! It's like being a sneaky voyeur, peeking in on the action and waiting for things to go down, all while resisting the urge to yell, "Hey, don't do that!"

The plot twists and turns like a rollercoaster on steroids, and you're left scratching your head, going, "What just happened?" But in a good way, you know? It's like a puzzle, and you're the reader with the insider info, watching the characters trip over their own feet, making mistakes left and right. Oh, the drama!

I gotta hand it to the author, they've got a talent for plotting - it all comes together like a perfectly baked cake at the end. But here's the thing - even though I enjoyed the book, something was missing for me to give it that elusive 5-star rating. Maybe it's because the characters didn't quite win me over. Like, I didn't dislike them, but I didn't go, "Hey, I want to be their BFF!" either.

Don't get me wrong, it's a well-written book with a juicy story, but there was just a little something-something that held me back from total fangirling. But hey, that's just me! The book still packs a punch, and if you're into cleverly crafted plots and some good old-fashioned twists, this one's worth a solid four stars!

In "The Family" by Louise Jensen, readers are drawn in to the disturbing reality of an extremist cult whose dark secrets and sinister lies are the currency of the commune's existence. As Laura and her daughter, Tilly, try to cope with the death of Laura's husband, they accept the offer to move to Oak Leaf Farm to make a fresh start. What awaits them is something more than they could ever have anticipated, as Tilly is seduced by the charismatic leader of the family, Alex. It soon becomes clear that Alex and the cult have their own motives in bringing Laura and her daughter into their family, as sinister truths are revealed. The atmosphere is ominous and tense as readers uncover what lies beneath the perfect, utopian existence at Oak Leaf Farm, and why the family is so determined that Laura and Tilly never leave. An utterly gripping and atmospheric thriller, this book will keep you hooked from the start.

A simply stunning book that is incredibly easy to read with many twists and turns. No wonder Jensen is a bestselling author, her writing is brilliant, Each chapter ratchets up the tension in this creepy compelling thriller. I loved it. I'm only sorry it's taken me so long to get around to reading it. Superb.

This has lingered on my digital to read shelf for quite some time - apologies to the author, publisher and netgalley for not reading sooner. Well, this was my first thriller by this author and I enjoyed it. It’s more of a slow burn than I was expecting, but that just kept me hooked. I couldn’t put it down and will look out for more from this author. Highly recommended!

From the start it reels you in by letting you know something bad has happened, so I could not stop till I knew what's what. Great story good characters and this book started well and ended well.

It's great to be in a position to recommend much more diverse books to our young people at school. Building the senior school library as a place where students actually come and find books that they want to read as opposed to books that teachers think they ought to read is an important responsibility and one we take really seriously.
Books like this are such a positive move as they will appeal to a broader set of readers than we are usually attracting. Dealing with modern issues in a clear and captivating way with a strong narrative voice and characters that the students can relate to is critical as we move forwards. This book is both an intelligent and compelling read that will hold even the most reluctant reader's attention and keep them turning the pages long into the night. It keeps the reader on their toes and ensures that you give it your full attention too. I found myself thinking about its characters and events even when I wasn't reading it and looking forward to snatching kore time with it and I hope that my students feel the same. An accessible, gripping and engrossing read that I can't recommend highly enough. Will absolutely be buying a copy for the library and heartily recommending it to both staff and students.

Enjoyed this book and the slow burn of the buildup. We know from the very beginning that something terrible has happened but not why or how. I couldn't stop reading to see how it unfolded. Some great twists along the way too!

My thanks to NetGalley and HQ for a copy of “ The Family”:for an honest review.

Another excellent psychological thriller by Louise Jensen.
Well written and suspenseful, this kept me guessing right to the end.
Highly recommended

Brilliant! A terrifying gripping psychological thriller. I could not put this one down. This certainly kept me on the edge of my seat.

A gripping book that is a real page turner right to the end. A sad story that becomes a thriller. I will look out for more by this author.

This book had me feeling uneasy all of the way through, I didn't know where it was going to go. A truly fantastic read for anyone who loves a physiological thriller. I will definitely check out Louise Jensen again. Thank you Netgalley, by allowing me to read this book for an honest review, you've opened my eyes to a new author!

Thank you Netgalley and HQ for this book. This was my first Louise Jensen novel and I enjoyed it.

Well written, a good plot and interesting characters. I would definitely recommend.

A gripping thriller that keeps you hooked right up until the final twist. Very enjoyable, with great characters and engrossing plot. too. Highly recommended.

I think this may have been the first book that I've read by Jensen and it most certainly won't be the last!

Struggling to cope financially and emotionally following the death of her husband Gavan, Laura gratefully accepts an offer for her and her 17 year old daughter Tilly to stay at a commune on a local farm, Gorphwysfa. Initially overwhelmed by the community's kindness, generosity and support, Laura gradually starts to become suspicious of both the community and their charismatic and secretive leader, Alex. However, as her suspicions grow, so does Tilly's immersion into the community. Are Laura's concerns mere paranoia or is something sinister afoot?

Told through the eyes of both Laura, Tilly and Alex, the story behind Gavan's death is slowly revealed as, simultaneously, the reader gradually learns of the cause of Alex's deep-seated issues. The author has skilfully portrayed those three characters and has taken the time to explore their emotions and motivations. The mother-daughter relationship between Laura and Tilly was of particular interest to me. It is sad to note how a little bit of honesty between the two could have helped them to avoid a lot of the problems they experienced. The supporting characters remain mostly undeveloped, placing the spotlight deliberately and entirely on Laura, Tilly and Alex.

I have puzzled over what would persuade seemingly normal, sensible people to get involved in communes and cult-like communities and this book gave me some insight as to why people may find some comfort in that way of life. 

The book is fast-paced and twisty, with a number of subplots to grab your attention. As soon as you think you know where the story is going, there will be another surprise to keep the reader on their toes. The story is well-plotted and becomes increasingly tense and atmospheric as the tale becomes darker and more sinister.

The Family is a story of tragedy, grief, family, secrets and lies. It explores the strength of relationships, both those with blood-ties and those of our own choosing. We've all heard the saying "blood is thicker than water", but is that really true?


Chilling, creepy and compelling, The Family is an absolute page-turner from beginning to end. I would definitely recommend this book!

After losing her husband and her business, Laura decides she needs a change. When a local farm community offers her and her daughter a home, things seem to be looking up, but like so many good things, it comes with a catch. There's more going on at the farm than first appears and Laura needs to get out before it's too late. But she may already have been there too long...

A fun thriller told from the POV of three different characters. While there's a few too many convenient coincidences for my liking, it's engaging enough for that not to matter and I really enjoyed this.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

Wow! Wow! Woswer!!!!

What a cracker this one is!

In typical Jensen style, we are taken on a twisted journey through a family dynamic full of lies and deceit.

Once again, Jensen has created a book full of tension and an unease that doesn't let up from the first page until the last.

Laura's husband is dead. An accident at work has robbed him of his future and has crushed Laura, and their daughter Tilly. As things fall apart for them, starting with their relationship, Laura is also fighting the insurance company as her finances are in a mess. With no end in sight, Laura takes drastic measures to get them back on the right path.

Jensen shows us just how easy it is for things to change in the blink of an eye. One wrong step can have the most devastating effect on your future and those changes can turn you into a person you never thought you'd be. The lose of a loved one is never easy but when everything else unravels too, it is easy to fall into a state of vulnerability and depression ... to see no way out ... and Jensen has written these characters with such skill that their emotions are more than obvious on the page, you actually feel them. I felt Laura's desperation, her turmoil at how to things better for her daughter, how utterly heartbreaking each decision was to make ... all these things were right in my head. All the way through.

And so was the unease.

As soon as certain characters appeared there was an immediate shift in my emotional reactions. I was on edge, I was terrified at times, I was sucked in to the new life Tilly and Laura were making and I was completely sucked in to the action.

What always gets me about Louise's work is the rawness of the characters. The reality of their situations and how easy it is to relate to them. They are so real. Every time.

As you expect in a Louise Jensen book, all is not what it seems and when Laura and Tilly move into Oak Leaf Organics, the tension is palpable and the thrills start coming thick and fast. Strange things start happening, emotions are running high, and nothing is what they think it is!

You really must get involved with this one, it's another belter from Louise!

I enjoyed this book and read it in one day. An interesting plot and characters. Would highly recommend.

Laura has lost pretty much everything. Her husband is dead, her business bust. With no friends or family to rely on it feels as if there is no hope for her and her seventeen year old daughter Tilly. But then shes offered refuge at a community at a local farm and for the first time since her husbands death it feel like things could be ok. But gradually she realise things at the farm are not quite as they seem, perhaps even dangerous.She decides they have to leave before they get in too deep, but it's already too late for Tilly who has fallen under the thrall of their charismatic leader Alex...

As always a immensely enjoyable and engrossing thriller from Louise Jenson. The story is told from three points of view, more been unsaid than actually revealed throughout. Enough is withheld to prevent all the twists from been revealed. There are far too many coincidences to be believable but it doesn't stop this from being a cracking good read.