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aretamal1620's review against another edition
4.0
Good twists and turns, I enjoyed this read. Didn’t leave me super stunned but there is sequel which I’ll have to dabble into. Would recommend
gb_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
fernhaigh's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
laurenjade_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Firstly, I don't think this is correctly listed as a thriller - to me, it wasn't particularly thrilling, nothing really unexpected happens and the twists aren't all that exciting.
Secondly, I really wanted to like this book! It was our Thriller book club pick for the month and I had high hopes based on a lot of the really positive reviews I've seen for it. It just didn't hit the spot for me, I'm afraid.
The book is fairly easy to read but I was so confused with the POVs initially. I think the two third-person POVs mixed with a first-person POV recalling the past was just unnecessary. I feel like it's overcomplicating what is actually a fairly straightforward story?
I didn't feel connected to any of the characters; didn't feel compelled to find out more about what happened. I really hoped to be rooting for the main character, Libby, but I just didn't. I found the characters all quite lacklustre and 2D.
The story has some good ideas throughout but I just found it poorly executed. It was okay as a quick read but I'm not sure I'd read anything by this author again.
Secondly, I really wanted to like this book! It was our Thriller book club pick for the month and I had high hopes based on a lot of the really positive reviews I've seen for it. It just didn't hit the spot for me, I'm afraid.
The book is fairly easy to read but I was so confused with the POVs initially. I think the two third-person POVs mixed with a first-person POV recalling the past was just unnecessary. I feel like it's overcomplicating what is actually a fairly straightforward story?
I didn't feel connected to any of the characters; didn't feel compelled to find out more about what happened. I really hoped to be rooting for the main character, Libby, but I just didn't. I found the characters all quite lacklustre and 2D.
The story has some good ideas throughout but I just found it poorly executed. It was okay as a quick read but I'm not sure I'd read anything by this author again.
xzea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this author and this book, that they’ve been compelled to read the sequel as the first was so brilliant!
However, I didn’t feel thrilled, or gripped or what you should feel when reading a thriller. There weren’t the shocking moments where you sit staring unbelieving at what you’ve just been told. The twists and turns were predictable and the characters, though I can see how they were supposed to be layered and mysterious, were ordinary.
I’m hoping that everyone else reads this book and finds the exact opposite. Though, I cannot say I will be racing to find out what happens next, I hope you will.
However, I didn’t feel thrilled, or gripped or what you should feel when reading a thriller. There weren’t the shocking moments where you sit staring unbelieving at what you’ve just been told. The twists and turns were predictable and the characters, though I can see how they were supposed to be layered and mysterious, were ordinary.
I’m hoping that everyone else reads this book and finds the exact opposite. Though, I cannot say I will be racing to find out what happens next, I hope you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Child abuse
thebookberrie's review against another edition
2.0
Batshit but not a good batshit.
The Family Upstairs begins with Libby getting a letter on her birthday that tells her about her birth parents and that she is set to inherit an abandoned mansion. Twenty-five years ago, police were called to the house to find three adults dead and a baby crying, along with the four children that lived there missing. Told in three different POVs, we get to the truth of it all.
First off, what? Second off... what?? This book was much more confusing than it had to be. It felt like most of the book was oversharing details that weren't important until we finally get to the reveal, and then it overly explained everything that happened then. While I did think what happened back then was interesting (and horrifying as hell), it was all just so unrealistic and wacky. It was also kind of stupid and lowkey annoying to even read about. I had this problem with another book by this author too so I guess that is just her thing.
There's just a line that has to be gently walked between shocking twist and super ridiculous and just an all around dumb turn of events. This book was boring for most of it before going off the rails on a crazy train and I just don't know what to think about it besides a flashing sign that says yikes.
I wasn't a fan of the three POVs. While I love a good past and present POV, there didn't need to be a third one and I hate it when books have third person POVs and then someone gets first person. Either all be third or all be first. I liked that the audiobook had different narrators for them at least.
This was just an overly confusing mess and I still feel like I don't get it.
The Family Upstairs begins with Libby getting a letter on her birthday that tells her about her birth parents and that she is set to inherit an abandoned mansion. Twenty-five years ago, police were called to the house to find three adults dead and a baby crying, along with the four children that lived there missing. Told in three different POVs, we get to the truth of it all.
First off, what? Second off... what?? This book was much more confusing than it had to be. It felt like most of the book was oversharing details that weren't important until we finally get to the reveal, and then it overly explained everything that happened then. While I did think what happened back then was interesting (and horrifying as hell), it was all just so unrealistic and wacky. It was also kind of stupid and lowkey annoying to even read about. I had this problem with another book by this author too so I guess that is just her thing.
There's just a line that has to be gently walked between shocking twist and super ridiculous and just an all around dumb turn of events. This book was boring for most of it before going off the rails on a crazy train and I just don't know what to think about it besides a flashing sign that says yikes.
I wasn't a fan of the three POVs. While I love a good past and present POV, there didn't need to be a third one and I hate it when books have third person POVs and then someone gets first person. Either all be third or all be first. I liked that the audiobook had different narrators for them at least.
This was just an overly confusing mess and I still feel like I don't get it.
syoungeungf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
apinsker's review against another edition
3.0
The Family Upstairs- Lisa Jewell- 3⭐️ Good premise, but most things were predictable overall and it took toooooooo long to get Through to the good stuff.
brookehorn's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75