"The Perfect Family" by Robyn Harding

 

Thomas and Viv Adler are the envy of their neighbors: attractive, successful, with well-mannered children and a beautifully restored home.

Until one morning, when they wake up to find their porch has been pelted with eggs. It’s a prank, Thomas insists; the work of a few out-of-control kids. But when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and their car’s tires are punctured, the family begins to worry. Surveillance cameras show nothing but grainy images of shadowy figures in hoodies. And the police dismiss the attacks, insisting they’re just the work of bored teenagers. Unable to identify the perpetrators, the Adlers are helpless as the assaults escalate into violence, and worse. And each new violation brings with it a growing fear. Because everyone in the Adler family is keeping a secret—not just from the outside world, but from each other. And secrets can be very dangerous….

This twisty, addictively page-turning suspense novel about a perfect family’s perfect façade will keep you turning pages until its explosive ending. ~taken from Goodreads

My hopes were high for this one. I thought it sounded like a fun and quick summer read. You all know I love a good thriller! however, this one took everything in me to finish. 

The premise sounded so good! A family being target by small attacks on their house and property. Every family member has a hidden secret and reason to believe the attacks are aimed at them. The perfect family turns out to be not-so-perfect. 

We learn very early on what each family member has to hide, so after that, the story is just long and drawn out. Chapter after chapter of child-like assaults and attacks. Chapter after chapter of every single member of the family not having the common sense to deal with the situation in a mature way. Chapter after chapter of pure boredom. 

The characters were shallow and there wasn't a single one I connected with. Both parents acted selfish and immature on a regular basis, while the two children (teenagers) had regular teenage issues that they were trying to deal with the best they knew how. It was a weird family dynamic that I couldn't relate to- every single family member seemed to hate and not trust each other at all. 

Finally towards the end, the family spills their secrets to one another. They try to figure out why they are being targeted, but instead of going to the police they try to solve the problems themselves. I think what was supposed to be the big finale "twist" was predictable. The single most interesting sentence of this book is the very last one. 

I do want to thank Netgalley and Gallery Books for allowing me an advanced e-copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 2 star read for me. 

"The Perfect Family" by Robyn Harding is available today, August 10, 2021 so if it sounds like your type of read then get your copy now!

Happy Reading!