A new author for me and an interesting read, keeps you thinking and then it clicks but it’s not as it seems
My thanks to NetGalley and Publisher Inkuator for the early read

You Don't Know Me by Theo Baxter is a recommended family drama following a family after the death of their wealthy parents.

Isobel, Harold, and Annabelle Marconi are planning their father's funeral when their mother is killed in a hit and run accident. At the service for both of her parents, Mary and her son David show up and introduce themselves. David is apparently their half-brother from an affair their father was having years earlier. Annabelle is uncertain, but Isobel forges ahead and invites them to move in and stay with the family while the estate is settled. Now the question of inheritance looms large as the family is very wealthy. Soon it becomes abundantly clear that something evil is afoot.

The first part of the novel does capture your attention, and sets up an interesting plot. It will keep you reading to see how events are going to unfold. Annabelle is the narrator so all the events are from her point-of-view, with the exception being the opening scene. The conflicts between siblings is realistic, if a bit overdone. The tension remains throughout the novel and the threats to their health and safety are quite credible. There are plenty of secrets on several fronts.

However, all the bad decisions and misplaced trust made throughout the narrative simply stretched my disbelief to the breaking point - and I can handle a big dose of disbelief for a good novel. Any family with the kind of wealth the Marconi's are portrayed as having would taken much more care and caution. The final denouement is also quite predictable, so the suspense lies in the anticipation of the final reveal, rather than in the whodunit question.

You Don't Know Me is for those who like family dramas with a YA feel. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Great book. Loved it so much couldn't put it down. Thank you for letting me read in advance. Love everything this author has released.

Things I liked about this book: the twists, the story, the character development.
Things I didn't like: the relationship between the siblings, the bullying, the automatic trust with some people and distrust with others (trying to not give spoilers).

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, twisty ride. Somewhat predictable, but still enjoyable.

This book was a quick and easy read with a huge twist at the end! Truly enjoyed reading it, the main character felt like you were in the story with them and the monologue pretty much matches what you would think as the reader as well.

Arc Review from the Witch herself. Thank you NG & Theo!

“Annabelle had no idea who was stalking her and why. Or if it was related to her mother’s case. Her gut was telling her it definitely was”

I enjoyed this. Super fast pace, page turner, visceral responses to this too. I only slightly wish there was a bit more character development to really feel the story of each character but that’s just me. Side bar: I really loved the chapter names. This was unique and I haven’t seen many books with chapter titles like that. For me it help set the tone almost for that chapters atmosphere

The plot got me by surprise.

Good reads—> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7612237567

If you have other platforms you’d like me to share on please let me know

Annabelle feels as if her family is falling apart. Her father recently died of cancer and her mother was killed in a hit-and-run a few days later. As if that is not enough, a woman comes to the double funeral and introduces her son … Annabelle’s half-brother. Annabelle feels sorry for the situation and invites them to move into the family ranch and even convinces her siblings to split the estate … that is until a strange car keeps following her and many in the family keep getting sick.

You Don’t Know Me is a stand-alone thriller that sounds amazing but did not satisfy. The ending was believable, but too many of the actions that happened throughout the story were not as plausible. Overall the story was easy to read and it was a nice escape, but it doesn’t need to be added to everyone’s TBR list.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑴𝒆
By Theo Baxter
Mystery | Publishing date : 22 June | 226 pages | ★ 4.25/5


╰┈➤ 𝑨 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓:

After losing both her parents, Annabelle Marconi is shocked to learn at their funeral that her father had a secret son, David, with a woman named Mary. As Mary and David move into the family ranch, strange and threatening events begin to unfold—Annabelle is followed, and her sister falls mysteriously ill. With her family unraveling and danger closing in, Annabelle must uncover the dark secrets of her father’s past before someone destroys the Marconi family for good.

——————-୨ৎ𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 ୨ৎ—————————-

To begin with , I was absolutely HOOKED to the storyline , and it was really good . The suspense and the tension ? Perfect. And I love that YA feel of this book because it’s really rare to find a clean mystery book nowadays. The ending was satisfying and I love how everything’s back to normal and even better than that it was before!


———————-୨ৎ 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 ୨ৎ————————-

I had ALOT of expectations from its plot twist. It felt really predictable, and it was always there . There weren’t any quotes or a flashback to the characters past , so sometimes the chapters felt empty.Also the first chapter was very confusing and I initially thought it was from the POV of the FMC.

———————-୨ৎ𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 ୨ৎ————————

A quick , fast - paced read with an amazing storyline. I think it’s best for anyone who likes Lisa Jewell Books or is looking to read a book with great storyline and suspense which will hold you captive till the end. So I’d give it ⭐️ 4.25/5.

╰┈➤ Thanks to Inkubatur Books and NetGalley to provide me an e-arc in exchange for a honest review!

A quick and fast paced read.
What a family with a whole host of secrets.
Not a massive surprise towards the end but still a great drama.
Love this author.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Not the first book I have read by Theo Baxter. But as with the others, I found it lacking a certain something.
None of the characters were fully developed, especially Harold - who was basically at work most of the time, not really taking part in any of the drama that his sisters were going through, until the end.
There was some suspense, but I figured out the twist at the beginning of the book.
Was Mary evil, or manipulated?
I also didn't like the chapter titles. Should rather stick to "Chapter 1".... 2.....3.

I didn't love the book, but didn't hate it.

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster! The emotions started fairly quickly and never let up. I found that to be a bit taxing during the read. I was looking for some time when the family drama wasn't so.....dramatic. That is why I gave this book a 3.5 stars. With that said, I thought the author did good with the ending of the book and helping the read to make sense. I also enjoyed being able to feel a connection with the characters and "put myself" in their shoes, which while exhausting, was a nice ride. Overall, I would recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!

I personally found this book a little but of a different style to the author;s usual style. This one was a slow burner however it still came with twists at the end.

Nail biting edge if your seat read thrilling left me wanting more !! I’m excited to see how well this one does it was so good won’t be disappointed Theo has done it yet again

Family secrets, death, money, affairs, surprises galore, This book has it all and more! I was shocked by the revelations and the twisty plot kept me eagerly reading. The characters are naive and selfish but the storyline brings them down to earth.

Annabelle Marconi thought she’d already lost everything first her father to cancer, then her mother in a brutal hit and run. But the worst blow comes at their double funeral, when a woman named Mary steps forward… with Annabelle’s half-brother, David. The revelation of her father’s secret life shatters the family. Still reeling, Annabelle’s siblings make a reckless decision: they invite Mary and David to stay at the family ranch while the estate is settled. Annabelle can’t shake the feeling something is off and when a strange car begins following her and her sister suddenly falls dangerously ill, her instincts are proven right!! Great read! This is definitely one of my go to authors lately! If I see Theo Baxter it’s an instant click! This book was no different! It had chilling suspense, murder, mystery, intriguing, and some jaw dropping twists! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! It’s well worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, and Theo Baxter for sharing this book with me! Can’t wait for more!

This book will resonate with fans of Yellowstone and Succession who also enjoy reading thrillers with lots of family drama.

Annabelle Marconi is heir to the Blue Rock Ranch empire. Along with her siblings, CEO and business maven Isobel and doctor-to-be Harold, she is left grief-stricken after the sudden death of her aging father and the suspicious, tragic death of her mother. The billionaire trio of siblings are set to inherit the family fortunes when they are blindsided by the appearance of a man claiming to be their half-brother. Are his intentions pure? Is he really who he says he is? What secrets did their parents take to the grave? The mystery unfolds as family alliances are tested, motives are questioned and disaster looms over every horizon.

Pros:

This book has a lot of emotional fuel. You will definitely have a lot of feelings while reading - some may be pure frustration but I have to give credit to the author: there is an emotional punch in nearly every chapter.

The book is a quick read and fast-paced

Regardless of how nonsensical some of the plot lines were, there was great care for resolution. This book will be a respite for those who often find themselves frustrated with wide open plot holes and unfinished storylines.

Cons:

To say this book stretches credulity may be an understatement. I could barely finish a chapter without saying to myself, "That's not how that works in real life!" or "That makes absolutely no sense!"

Characters seems to contradict themselves and make absurdly bad decisions again and again.

The book starts with a frustrating amount of inner dialog for the FMC, all of which is written in italics. Inexplicably, this stops about halfway through the book.

I didn't care for the chapter titles, which seemed superfluous and gave the book a YA feel.

I think the cover is pretty but doesn't have any connection to the book. A western theme might have been more appropriate.

Neither a pro nor con - this book is almost entirely dialogue driven. I would have preferred to have had a little more depth and description but I think that's a matter of personal preference.

It was a miss for me because I spent most of the time frustrated with the absurd decisions that were made by nearly every character. I also thought the twist was clear as day from very early on. I still have to give credit that the author definitely made me have emotional reactions and it was unique to see a thriller take such care resolving all loose ends.

Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.