One of the Family by Jess Ryder [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Bronwen Price 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"My daughter’s boyfriend feels like one of the family. I couldn’t be happier to have him living with us. But now my daughter’s disappeared…

I never wanted to have an empty nest. So when my daughter, Liv, asks if she and her new boyfriend, Jensen, can move in, I’m thrilled.

Jensen is so helpful. He tells me how he loves being part of a close-knit family. He’s felt so alone since his parents died. And for me, his presence goes a little way towards replacing the son I lost.

Still, I can’t help but notice that Liv and Jensen are starting to argue. My daughter seems unhappy. Perhaps they just need some time alone together?

But when my husband and I return from our weekend away, Liv is missing. The relationship with Jensen appears to be over but he doesn’t want to leave. And then I discover exactly what he will do to stay in our family…"

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I haven't read or listened to any of Jess Ryder's books before but, despite my mixed feelings about this one, I will definitely be on the look out for more in the future.

Rachel welcomes her daughter, Liv, and her new boyfriend, Jensen, into their home. Jensen is the perfect, charming guest, until Liv vanishes and he stays put, turning the cosy family atmosphere creepy. 

I have to admit that I found the main character, Rachel, really annoying. I just wanted to jump into my speakers and give her a slap around the face and tell her to "wake up!" Her level of naivety became genuinely irritating.

Adding to this, Liv's disappearance is not the only "issue" the family is dealing with, which made the plot feel a bit over-the-top for me - it was far from believable that everything was happening to this one family all at once.

However, I was intrigued enough to continue listening - helped by the excellent narration - and I was pleased I did as whilst I had already worked out the major twist, it ended up being quite satisfying to see how it got there.

Overall, while this isn't the best audiobook I've listened to, it's far from the worst. If the many, many other reviews are anything to go by, I am in the minority, so give it a go if you enjoy domestic thrillers.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts on this book.

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