Her Perfect Family

Product Information

I really adore this book. This is the second time I’ve read it. The only reason I give it 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I feel like some of Cole’s time in TN kinda drags. That could also be because that part particularly enraged me. This book is really emotionally draining. Colbie goes through so many things in this book and the author makes you really feel for her. trying to keep up a façade of perfection—a stylized image - resisting humiliation- comes with a price for each member of the family. Overall, this is less of a traditional thriller and more of a family drama, but unlike the many lesser books in this category these days, there is plenty of suspense, mystery and intrigue throughout. I think one reason I love Harding’s work so much is that she taps into the imperfection and messiness that all of us have in our lives. In this book, as in her others, she shows that, in the words of Norman Bates, “we all go a little crazy sometimes.” She invites us to empathize with the messiness and fears of her characters. Her books also always touch on important and timely social issues and have something worthwhile to say, if you’re listening.

Gradually we learn more about the secrets each family member is hiding, and how they might be tied into the things that have been happening to the house. This worked really well for me, as the chapters were short and engaging, and I could have seen each of the characters having something to do with the vandalism. They each had their moments where they were likable and moments where they weren't - they were all flawed characters, but none of them were SO irredeemable that I hated them. Personally, I enjoyed that none of them were "innocent" and each could have been the reason their house was being targeted.I have read a few other of Teresa Driscoll’s books and found most of them to be good thrillers. This is another good one – well paced with a good story. Colbie is a unique and utterly amazing character. She just needs to be loved it's as simple as that. Eli Paxton was all sorts of delicious and despite him allowing their relationship to bloom, he was indeed a stand-up man. His ability to see through her and give her the love she has always needed superseded any technical rule breaking that happened throughout their relationship.

The only aspect that kept this one from being a solid 5 star read for me was the improbability of a couple of the reveals (where characters discovered or told each other their secrets). Everything fell a little bit TOO neatly into place at times, but if you can quiet that voice of reason, this is such a fun ride from beginning to end! I also was a little miffed by the ending, because it was one of those endings that COULD hint at a sequel...but probably doesn't, so it just felt like Harding didn't quite know how to end it and just went with it, leaving the true ending in the mind of the reader. I'm all for this device, but I didn't really feel this story NEEDED a continuation per se, so I could have lived without it in this case.You know how if someone says “we need to talk” or “I have to ask you a question” with no further context, your brain immediately goes into crisis mode? Every possible bad thing you might have said or done, no matter how big or small, suddenly flashes before your eyes and said person clearly hates you because they’ve found out about it (no, just me? Am I alone in this mess of anxiety?). Well, welcome to the Adler’s “perfect” family, where a series of pranks puts each family member into that same frantic crisis mode. Clearly someone has found out about his or her deep dark secret and is using it to torment them. Except of course, they are unaware every other member of the family also has a secret they are just as worried about having exposed. Soon the pranks go from harmless kid stuff like egging the house to unsettling and downright dangerous incidents. The Adlers no longer feel safe in their home and take increasingly desperate measures to protect themselves. Who is behind these pranks, which member of the family are they targeting, and just how far are they willing to go..? I love this author. I love this trope. But, it’s definitely the final product that is the true test. Fierce and forbidden, Author Stephie Walls penned what is now one of my favorite student-teacher romance novels. The Adler family lives in a fine home with a well-manicured lawn and lovely yard in an affluent Portland, Oregan neighbourhood. They present themselves as a perfect family to others but it is all a facade dedicated to keeping up appearances. Thomas Adler, the husband and father, works in real estate. His wife, Viv, has her own home decorating company. Their son has dropped out of University, is estranged from his friends, and spends too much time in his room. He refuses to discuss why he will not return to University. The daughter, a senior in High School has become sullen and angry. She is skipping classes and secretly stays up late at night on her computer.

In the first chapter we read that Gemma is shot during her graduation. She is in her coma as other characters need to unwind the secret of who the attempted murderer is, and what the reason of this committed crime. Along the way we find out about certain hidden secrets that relatives and family members have kept from others. The secret extends as characters begin to think whether these old secrets are associated with the current attempted murder. There are some dubious activities from various characters, before the secret is solved. The story is wrapped up in a genuinely fulfilling way. The loose ends are tied up, and the motive of the crime is clarified.Colbie Chapman is an all-star student, but a no-star athlete and that has caused her to be entirely invisible to the rest of her family. Despite that her ambition and drive to be perfect and the best at what she does is operated from a sad and dark part of her life, I still admire it. Watching her spiral and then fight for balance in life was gritty and real. The family hadn’t been harassed in months, but then the house was egged again in the epilogue. The Review: Let’s meet with Adlers! They truly care about their appearances more than anyone. Creative home decorator Viv with perfect taste, workaholic, competitive realtor Thomas and their perfect kids Eli and Tarryn! Your home is supposed to be your haven...a safe place...But it has become anything BUT that for the Adler family. A gripping psychological thriller from the bestselling author of I Am Watching You . The perfect family? Or the perfect lie?