I really enjoyed this one. This book had a very interesting premise that drew me in and I was happy that the story itself got even more interesting as I kept reading. I'm usually not one for family drama / domestic thriller type of books, but I love them under the right circumstances, which this book definitely had.

The characters were all kind of crazy, which worked for the story. And it was fun unraveling all their secrets as I read. I loved the pacing - it was just fast enough to keep me hooked, but not so fast that I wished I could stay in the scenes longer. It was just right for me. I also liked the distinctive British "feel" to the book, which I don't get to read very often here in the US.

One thing that I wasn't a fan of was that a couple of the characters were very different later on in the book than how they started off. It was like they had switched places with completely different people, and it threw me off a bit. I also didn't like how the cat was being treated so a bit of a trigger warning for that.

Overall, I had fun reading this book and highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good domestic psychological thriller.

A big thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An intriguing domestic thriller, this book has lots of surprising twists and turns. The characterisation was good and the plot keeps you on your toes until the end. I did find some of it a little far-fetched however, so I’m giving it three stars. With thanks to the publisher for providing me with access to this ARC in return for an honest review.

Kathryn Sharman’s The Family at No 23 looks at life behind the tidy facades of suburbia and doesn’t bother dressing it up. The story centers on Iris, a mother who moves her family to Riddleston Road—one of those streets where the houses look like they were made for magazine spreads, but everyone inside has something to hide. Sharman uses this setting to question assumptions about domestic bliss and exposes the pressures and ambitions that drive people to protect their secrets, sometimes at a cost to themselves and others.

Iris offers a fresh angle as a protagonist. She arrives at number twenty-three with the same hope many parents have—security, a good life, and opportunities for her child. But there’s a real sense that Iris is running from more than just her past address; her secret is the kind that could tear her world apart if revealed. Unlike characters written to win sympathy or admiration, Iris stands out for being complicated. She is driven, willing to compromise ethics for her son, and chooses survival over likability. This messiness and the decisions she makes under pressure give readers a strong sense of tension about what she might do next.

Sharman doesn’t shy away from showing how suffocating life behind “perfect” front doors can be. Riddleston Road is painted as appealing but unsettling. The place feels both welcoming and sinister—the sort of suburb where everything looks in place but nothing really is. Suspicion and unease slip into daily interactions, especially when side characters like Laura arrive on the scene. Sharman’s secondary characters, though at times not fully developed, fuel the claustrophobic sense that no one is to be trusted.

Ambition and fear are the main drivers in The Family at No. 23. The longing for the “Pinterest-perfect” life, and the lengths people go to maintain it, are sharply drawn. Sharman exposes what happens when the pressure to look stable and happy turns into deception and isolation.

The writing style is straightforward, rarely flowery but often gripping. Using Iris’s perspective, Sharman keeps readers close to the anxiety and suspicion that ripple through the story. The twisty plot builds gradually, making readers question what anyone is really hiding. By the end, the urge to look closer at our own supposedly “stable” environments is hard to ignore.

Kathryn Sharman’s novel draws a sharp line between appearances and reality. Through Iris and the world of Riddleston Road, the book shows how quickly the wish for normalcy can spiral into secrecy and drama. While some supporting characters could use more detail, the strength of the narrative comes from its honest look at imperfection, both in individuals and communities.

Readers drawn to stories about families and neighborhoods with secrets will find plenty to relate to here, and may finish the book reconsidering the true cost of fitting in.

What. A. Debut. This one is going to get people talking when it hits the shelves later this year.

A domestic thriller packed with morally grey characters, it’s a standout in the genre – and I read a lot of them. The characters aren’t always likeable, but they’re absolutely compelling. You’ll fly through the pages wanting to know what happens next.

Iris and Laura have been friends for years, bonded by their sons, Freddie and Ben. But when Laura, her husband Ivo, and Freddie move to the other side of town, the better side, things begin to shift. Their children are about to begin secondary school and Laura's new postcode means Freddie now qualifies for a different school – while Ben is left out of catchment. Iris, whose own family could never afford the rent in this area, is quietly seething with envy. Her son is sensitive, often unwell, and she worries about him being left to navigate a new school without his best friend.

After meeting Laura for coffee within her affluent new area, Iris witnesses an elderly lady fall in the street, bumping her head. She helps her home – but after making them both a cuppa tea, she returns to find the woman has sadly passed away in her absence. Peacefully. Quietly. And oh, what a wonderful house she has...

What follows is a fantastic read that you will not want to put down. Bravo!

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a chilling read and Iris is a woman not to be messed with. She loves her son and will do anything to give him a good life.

This is a pacy read with twists, twists and more twists. it is a one sit read and I could not put it down.

I loved how the shocks kept coming and I cannot wait to talk about this book.

I was hooked from the beginning and I had to find out what was going to happen. I didn’t even want to go to work because I’d have to stop reading. You won’t want to put this book down I finished it in 24 hours!

This book was well written, fast paced, fantastic character development and story line..Just wow! It kept me on my toes the whole time and instantly grabbed my attention. It's definitely a must read!

I hadn't come across Kathryn Sharman before – my loss! Just love this authors writing style and the characters. This one is a winner.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars!

How far would you go to give your family everything they need? Today a family have moved in to No 23.. A family who really shouldn’t be there.

Finished this in just over 24hrs. It was a great read with a great mix of characters. Some I liked more than others. I loved the dry humour too it. I’m usually quite good at guessing the twist however I didn’t see that at all at the end.

Quick fun read! The plot is interesting and engaging. I loved the dry humor of it all. Plenty of suspense to keep the reader engaged. Interesting look into the lengths a mother would go to for her child.

Check in out in August! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the advance copy.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the early copy of this book!

Just finished The Family at No. 23 by Kathryn Sharman and wow, I devoured it. Honestly I couldn’t put it down. It starts off with this quiet, picture perfect vibe, and then bit by bit, things start to unravel in the best way.

I loved the dry humour, it’s subtle but so on point. And the twist? Didn’t see it coming at all. I had to go back and reread a part just to make sure I hadn’t missed something.

It’s one of those books where you keep thinking about the characters even after you’ve finished. Definitely one to keep an eye out for when it comes out in August 2025.

3.5

The Family at No 23 is an absolute rollercoaster! So many twists and turns... I had no idea what would happen from start to finish, It was a very engrossing read, and when I thought I'd figured it all out... BOOM! there came the ending. I'm speechless! The character arcs were fantastic, I loved how "meaty" it was, and how we got to know the whys and hows behind actions, I loved the psychological aspects of the story. I flew through this book!

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the ARC.

On Riddleston Road each house reaches three storeys high, with smart gabled roofs and neat garden paths unfurling from pastel coloured front doors. Wide, sash windows stare outwards from the brick facades, revealing a glimpse of beautiful interiors. And concealing dark secrets.

Today a new family has moved into number twenty-three. A family who shouldn't be there.

As Iris stacks boxes in the hallway, she knows she has made a mistake in coming here. This house will mean her son will get the future he deserves. That will make everything she's done worth it.

But someone knows Iris's secret and what she did to get her dream home... Would she kill to keep it?

I didn't find this book overly thrilling. I didn't really care fir thd story, despite the interesting description. 2.5 out of 5 ⭐️

Iris and her family live in rented accommodation while her best friend, Laura, and her family live in luxury. That’s not a problem until Laura moves to an exclusive area so that her son can go to the best local school. Iris wants that for her son, too, but they haven’t got a chance of moving into the catchment area. One day, Iris walks along Riddleston Road, where she spots an elderly lady on the pavement following a fall. Iris helps her up and into her house, makes her a cup of tea, then an idea forms in her head.

An absolutely gripping read with an unexpected ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

A gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. T The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed. The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the thriller genre. Highly recommended!

This wasn’t as I was expecting, and took a lot of suspending disbelief.

While I think there were decent characters, the plot wasn’t making them “pop”.

I think this would be a good quick read for those who enjoy the more fantastical side of realism

A story about how far a woman will go to take care of her son.
Well written characters especially Iris.
Twists and red herrings with some oh wow moments in the final pages.
Read this over two sittings as i simply couldn't leave it alone.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

This is a mad premise for a story but the author somehow makes this work and also seem plausible which is a feat. It's an easy fast read that pushed me forward with a satisfying conclusion. I found this diverting and fun to read and look forward to where this writer goes next.