The Foster Family is a psychological thriller. Howard and Elizabeth take their foster son Joe on holiday. Joe disappeared and the police are called. The book is fast paced and unravels the tangle of lives and lies an interesting story.

Elizabeth and Howard are foster parents to five-year-old Joe. For years they always wanted children, and now they have this adorable little boy. For Howard, this will at least keep Elizabeth happy. For Elizabeth, she loves Joe with every fiber of her body. The little family goes away on vacation but before long Joe turns up missing.

Before Joe becomes missing, both Joe and Elizabeth met their elderly neighbor Gordon. Gordon is a very kind man and one of his hobbies is birds, and viewing the birds makes little Joe happy. Gordon is in the early stages of dementia but there is a side of him that notices things are not quite right with Joe and his family. However, just when Gordon wonders if he will say anything about his concerns, his memory fails him, even causing him to doubt whether or not he actually had any suspicions at all.

Regarding Elizabeth's marriage to Howard. They are far from being a happy couple. In fact, Howard is controlling and abusive, sadly including explosive episodes of physical violence. For their twenty-year marriage, Elizabeth has experienced cycle after cycle of Howard's abusive treatment. Sadly, with Joe entering into the picture, Howard's violence is often directed to the precious little boy. In fact, it go without saying that this book comes with trigger warnings of domestic and child abuse.

There are alternating points of view in this emotional read by Nicole Trope. Also, there are two more characters that come into play in this riveting read. With intense drama, a sharp emotional edge and a satisfying conclusion, Nicole Trope has written another winner.

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

I’ve read several novels by this Author and am always impressed as to how many novels she releases in a year and the top quality of every single one. Nothing feels like it’s been done before, all of them have the most wonderous characters central to the plot full of flaws and life stories and this one did not disappoint.

Elizabeth has been married to her abusive husband Howard for over 20 years. She’s terribly unhappy and anxious though she won’t admit it even to herself, doing everything within her power to be the wife that Howard clearly demands. This has left her a shadow of her former self from years of trying to avoid arguments, disappointment which leads to Howard losing his temper and throwing his weight around. But when five year old Joe comes into their lives as a foster child with the potential of adoption, Elizabeth’s world is thrown into turmoil.

Howard wants to get away for the holidays and they rent a house opposite elderly Gordon, an ex-teacher and kind-hearted neighbour struggling with the symptoms of early dementia. Gordon is a terrific character and you’ll fall in love with his kindness and the impact he has on Joe and the way Trope describes his struggles with dementia is truly heart-warming.

When Joe goes missing, every passing hour is heartbreaking for Elizabeth who is trapped in her own thoughts too scared to tell the Police the truth about the past couple of days. The novel is fast paced and as one of Joe’s shoes turns up, the fear heightens in all concerned.

This is a heart-warming story that you won’t be able to put down.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to net galley and Bookouture for providing me an ARC of a thriller. I was excited to read this book I have read Nicole Tropes books before and she does not disappoint. This is an another who keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to read more. This book had alot of characters and sometimes I had to go back to reread to keep the characters straight.

Nicole Trope’s books are a ‘must read’ for me without knowing anything about them and this one was no exception.

From the outset I could feel the tension mounting as it became clear that lots of secrets were being hidden. Trying to work out why took me a while longer.

The characterisation of Howard was exceptionally depicted, it was clear what a manipulative bully he was, both verbally and physically , and the empathy provoked was strong. Contrasting him with Gordon, an elderly, retired teacher, obviously struggling with a form of dementia but still very much a caring gentleman and as the reader, I felt desperate to help him. I felt that the author must have researched victims of domestic violence carefully, as both Elizabeth and Joe portrayed subtle but terrifying characteristics of this.

Add into the mix, the mystery of the disappearance of Joe, the 5 year old foster child, and running parallel to this, the separate story of the man rescuing a young girl who was beaten, and my mind was working overtime trying to piece it altogether.

This story moved along at a great pace, I read quickly because I was desperate to see what happened. There were times too when my heart was in my mouth and I had tears in my eyes. An excellent read thank you Nicole Trope, totally recommend.

Here is another author, once I start to read her books I have to finish them.
The Foster Family by Nicole Trope is a standalone book and another brilliant book, Once I started to read it with this brilliant start to her latest book. I could not put down. I ended up reading it in one sitting, so glad I didn't have work or anything planned for the next day! This latest book by Nicole was engaging, though heartbreaking at the same time.

I highly recommend this latest book!

Big Thank you to Netgalley, and Bookouture and the author Nicole Trope for a copy of her book to read.

This author is just amazing with her psychological thrillers, they are true page turners. This one is no different from the others books I have read from her. We meet Elizabeth who is a foster mother, this is all she ever wanted to be was a mother, and fostering alongside her husband seems to be the only way. She finally gets to have the family she always wanted. But when her son Joe goes missing, we as the readers get to find out A LOT more than what we bargained for when it comes to this family. Secrets get revealed little by little, which I love because I couldn’t put this book down, and the TWISTS??!!!!!!……. Totally worth the read. Can’t wait til this book launches.

Thanks NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I was so excited to read this book because Nicole Trope is one of my favourite authors recently and this one sounded different. This book is all about a couple who stay at a rental house with their foster son Joe. When the young boy goes missing from the start of the book everyone becomes a suspect and foster dad Howard starts accusing their neighbour Gordon. The book then jumps to Gordon's and his view of the situation is much different. Gordon's sees a much darker side to the family full of abuse and neglect directed by Howard toward Joe. The multiple view points made for a much more exciting read because with so much secrecy between the characters it let the reader know what was really happening behind all of the closed doors. I loved how sweet Gordon's character was but it was so sad to see him get involved in the terrible situation that was happening with Joe and his foster mother next door. There are three different points of view in this novel Gordon's, Elizabeth's the foster mother and last we get a mystery persons perspective. I loved the mystery person the best because it almost felt like a he said she said and then the third one showing the truth. I also loved how the reader got multiple viewpoints because it gave different sides to what was actually going on. When they all came together in the end I was floored. I loved the characters both their personalities and they way that Nicole wrote them all with their own flaws made them more realistic. Nicole hits it out of the park again with this one and I just hope I don't have to wait to long for the next one.

In their holiday home, a stone's throw from the beach, Elizabeth dials the police with trembling hands. "My little boy is missing." Elizabeth is Joe's foster mother, but she loves him like her own. The five-year-old who adores superhero's and watching the birds outside, is the child she dreamed of. As she looks into the garden, where he was playing just moments ago, her heart feels liked it's been ripped from her chest. She never meant to save Joe from his birth mother who almost harmed his chances at life. The woman who has been trying to get Joe back.

We follow two separate stories at the beginning - Elizabeth and Howard with their foster son Joe on holiday. and a man who found a young girl on a bench who had been hurt. Tension builds throughout this story. The characters are well developed and relatable. This is another gripping and well written story from the author. The story is told from Elizabeth and Gordon's perspectives. The first quarter of the book the pace is slower but it's not long in ramping itself up. The story does cover domestic violence and child abuse. The two storylines come together seamlessly. I loved how this story ended.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #NicoleThorpe for my ARC of #TheFosterFamily in exchange for an honest review'

Elizabeth and Howard are fostering young Joe who one morning mysteriously goes missing. As the story unfolds you begin to realise that Elizabeth has been in an abusive relationship for 20 years. This raises the question as to wether Joe has also suffered at the fate of Howards wrong doing.
Malcolm lives across the road and witnesses some things that he does not like. The problem is it seems like he is starting to suffer with dementia. Can he or anyone trust his judgement? He just hopes his son Malcolm will be home soon to help him.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this story. I didn't enjoy the elements of child abuse but this subject was explored sensitively but also created the effect it should do. As a therapist that understands childhood trauma and, who also, has worked with victims of domestic abuse and coercive control I can see how well written and researched the subject matter was. The characters were developed at just the right pace and the story was told in a manner that kept you wanting to move onto the next chapter. It also sensitively explores the effects of dementia.
I would definitely recommend this book.

The Foster Family revolves around a family who is fostering a young boy.

The Characters.
Elizabeth: the foster mom
Howard: the abusive husband, foster father
Joe: the five year old boy being fostered
Gordon: The man across the street with dementia

When Joe goes missing, Elizabeth is afraid. She is afraid of the past repeating itself. Years ago another foster child ran away from them.

Told in the past and the present.

Lot's of good in the story as well as some darker moments. The first half was quite slow, but picked up later. I became much more involved at this point.

The characters were all realistic, unfortunately in some cases. I really felt for Gordon with all the stress the medical condition put on him.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc

The Foster Family by Nicole Trope is a heartwarming story of foster children and how they are sometimes treated and become victims of the system. This story has an unusual beginning with a Good Samaritan helping someone in distress before it settles down to its main theme of 5 year old Joe and his new foster family. Along the way, we become involved not only with the foster family but also with an elderly neighbor who lives across the street and his family.
Ms. Trope develops her characters in a manner which causes the reader to despise some of them and to empathize with others. While reading, we never know what will occur and how it all will tie together— including the beginning with the Good Samaritan. Because of some of the characters, I cannot say this novel is enjoyable reading; but, it is worthwhile reading. I thank NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this different kind of thriller.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review.
It starts with a man finding a young girl badly beaten and not wanting the police or hospital, so he takes her home and cares for her. We never get any names to know who they are and throughout the story we go back to them from time to time, it's obvious that they are connected to the ongoing story.
A young boy called Joe has been fostered by a couple, Malcom and Elizabeth, but Malcom is a bully and a control freak who likes to implement rules in his house and then punish when they aren't met. He's always begging forgiveness after his outbursts, but he doesn't really mean it, it's just a way for him to do it again and again. His wife Elizabeth is nice to Joe and she cares for him greatly, but she's a doormat who has put up with her husband for many years and always forgives him. If she speaks out she will lose Joe, but if she doesn't then what kind of life will that be for Joe.
Needless to say I disliked both Malcom and Elizabeth.
I did really like Gordon, the old man who lives across the road and who is suffering from the early stages of dementia. He only wants to help Elizabeth and Joe, but then he gets confused and people become concerned about him instead of listening to him.

I really enjoyed the book, it had its slow parts and it didn't have me eager to turn the pages as much, but I still finished it in a day and I was invested in the story and finding out who the girl and man where from the start. It's nice the way that evolved and parts of the book where bittersweet at the end, sad but happy too.

Gordon is in his 80s and lives alone in a house near the ocean. He struggles with his memory and loves watching the birds visit the feeders in his yard.
Elizabeth and Howard are vacationing in the house across from Gordon with their foster son, Joe. Elizabeth loves Joe as her own and is hoping to adopt him.
Joe is enthralled by the birds at Gordon's house, and Gordon is delighted with the young boy who is close in age to his granddaughter. However, Howard doesn't seem too fond of Elizabeth and Joe visiting Gordon. Gordon finds Howard to be unfriendly and abusive towards Elizabeth and Joe.
Then one day, Joe goes missing. His sandal is found in the water near the ocean. What has happened to him and what do Gordon, Elizabeth, and Howard know?
I couldn't put this book down! I absolutely love Nicole Trope and always look forward to her books. The story alternates between different perspectives. Howard is absolutely despicable, Elizabeth is exasperating at times, Gordon is an absolute sweetheart. There's also a parallel narrative about a man and a young girl he helps. These stories eventually come together and the ending is very satisfying.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Great story with really good characterization. I did have a hard time reading about the domestic and child abuse. About a foster family on a holiday at a lake house and the elderly man next door that the wife and foster son befriend. I love how the story came together at the end.

Liked? Yes. Loved? No.
A book of 2 halves for me. I found the first half to be slow with not much happening but it picked up pace in the second half.
Good characterisation, particularly with the main male character- a nasty piece of work.
I recently read The Step Child from this author and really enjoyed it. This one didn't grab me so much but it wouldn't put me off reading more from this writer.

Nicole Trope has done it again...!!!

The Foster Family follows two foster parents, Elizabeth and Howard, during a 72 hour period which their five-year-old goes missing. Soon enough their neighbour across the way is somehow involved but he's elderly and suffering from dementia, will anyone believe him?

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Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. This is my honest review

Hitting all your emotions, Nicole Trope takes on current themes and has penned another great story that weaves disparate lives into a whole picture. As you take this journey a bit at a time is revealed making it a very suspenseful read. Wonderfully done!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Wow, what a gripping and intense story!
It is a well written compelling read with a well drawn cast of characters (most you will love, but some you will hate) and my heart was pounding throughout. I found myself flying through the pages because I had to find out what was happening.
This book will appeal to readers who like fast paced thrillers/domestic noir but be aware there are elements of child abuse and controlling behaviour.
5*****

This one was a bit much for me. I'm sensitive to children and abuse and it didn't hold back. It was a really sad story but it was good.

Elizabeth and Howard come to stay in a rental house for vacation with their foster son, Joe. We know from the start that Joe goes missing and that Howard is pointing fingers at Gordon, the old man across the street but we don't know why, because he seems like a nice old fellow, if a bit forgetful. We know that something has been put in motion that cannot be undone.

Over on Gordon's side of the road, we see that Howard is a bag of trash that abuses his family. This failing of the foster system is difficult to hear especially right now. The birth mom wants access but she can't and they say she tried to sell him. It's something else.

But what's most important is finding little Joe. Did he run off? Is Gordon a bad guy? Did Howard hurt him? Maybe the birth parents? I mean, the possibilities are endless and it's a pretty wild ride.

The format was a bit confusing. We switch mostly between Gordon and Elizabeth but at different times and there's an unnamed guy and girl in chapters that aren't timed or dated, so that could be a bit frustrating.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.