Released in October! Another fun thriller for the TBR
Thanks to Bookouture for the gifted ebook copy and for having me on the tour
ONE OF THE FAMILY – Jess Ryder (Released October 30th, 2025)
Book Description:
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…
An utterly gripping psychological thriller that will have you turning pages late into the night. If you love Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden you will be hooked on One of the Family.
My Thoughts:
Jess Ryder is a new-to-me author and I had a lot of fun with this thriller! ONE OF THE FAMILY had plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to try and throw off the reader. From what I’ve seen from other reviewers, the narration for the audiobook is fantastic, so if you’re an audiobook reader (I wish I was) then this will be a great one to try.
Liv and her boyfriend, Jensen, recently graduated from college and are looking for work. Being the supportive mother she is, Rachel, invites them to live with the family until they can get on their feet with new jobs and find their own place. Rachel is so excited to have her daughter back and to be able to meet her boyfriend and get to know him. We also have Meg, Liv’s younger sister. She isn’t a fan of Jensen and how obsessive her mom seems to be in their relationship. Things go sideways when Liv disappears and Jensen claims he last saw her when she left the house after a fight. The family wants him gone but Rachel is determined to get answers.
While I did guess the ending, this was still a fun read! It was exciting and quick and just what I needed to kick off November. Things can be over the top but that’s what we all love about some thrillers – suspend disbelief a little and you’re in for a fun ride.
About the Author:
Jess Ryder is the pseudonym of Jan Page, author, screenwriter, playwright and award-winning television producer. After spending many years working in children’s television, she returned to writing novels and has written nine psychological thrillers to date. These include the e-bestseller The Ex Wife, which was adapted as a TV miniseries for Paramount Plus. She lives in London with her husband.
Connect with Jess:
Jessicamap Reviews 