The Perfect Family

By Robyn Harding

‘A roller-coaster ride ... For fans of Celeste Ng, Gillian Flynn and Liane Moriarty.’ Booklist (starred review)

The bestselling author of The Party explores what happens when a seemingly perfect family is pushed to the edge by cruel, vindictive and increasingly dangerous attacks.

Thomas and Viv Adler have a picture-perfect family. Affluent and attractive, with two well-mannered kids almost out of the nest, they live in a beautiful house in a well-to-do neighbourhood. Their jobs are fulfilling; their children are thriving; the world is their oyster.

Until one morning, when they wake up to find that their house and car have been pelted with eggs. Thomas dismisses it as the work of a few out-of-control kids, but when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and the tires on their BMW are punctured, he begins to worry. Unable to identify the perpetrators, they are helpless as the assaults escalate. The police assure them that this is just the work of bored teenagers, but no one in the Adler family believes it. After all, each of them has a secret – kept not only from the outside world but from each other.

As the Adlers grapple with their guilt, fear and shame, the assaults grow deadly. Their ‘perfect’ façade is crumbling, and it may be too late for any of them to do anything about it.

‘Robyn Harding is at her twisty, devious best ... A propulsive, constantly surprising read that both entertains and chills.’ Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
• Release date: Jul 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781760858896

Robyn Harding

Robyn Harding is the author of numerous international bestsellers, including The Party, The Arrangement and The Drowning Woman. She has also written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family and two cute but deadly rescue chihuahuas. Visit her at RobynHarding.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @RHardingWriter or Facebook @AuthorRobynHarding.

Reviews for The Perfect Family

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The perfect family isn't so perfect after all. Everyone is keeping secrets and now they're being targeted - acts of vandalism that started out small, but who could be doing this? Told from the perspective of each of the four members of the Adler family, we get to know them personally, learn about the secrets they're carrying and how it makes them feel. I really enjoyed Robyn Harding's last couple novels and I'm happy to say this one was no different. Well-written from cover to cover - fleshed out characters, the story was solid and the pacing was perfect. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC.

[tinkerbellkk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be a very quick read. It kept me engaged and wanting to know what was going to happen next. This family had a lot of secrets and they weren't very happy. But as a set of circumstances escalated and spiralled out of control they had to fess up and come to grips with their truth. Recommended for an entertaining read.

[nikkicolee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! I loved the characters, each and every one of them. I loved the way the chapters alternated between each of them and I loved the way each chapter ending left me hanging for more. I was so invested in this story and I’m sad it’s over! It would be amazing if there was a sequel coming!! Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[bookanonjeff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"So Many Secrets. So Many Lies. And So Much Anger." Yes, the title of this review is a direct quote from the book. Yes, it is during the final 10%, when everything is being revealed and wrapped up. And yet you still have no idea what it actually refers to. ;) But that particular line really does sum the book up in and of itself. This is a four person family consisting of mom and dad who have been married for over 20 years, 20 yo college dropout son, and 17yo high school junior daughter - and *every single one of them* are keeping secrets from all the others and actively lying to both the other people and themselves. Harding does a tremendous job of showing flawed, nuanced characters just trying to do what they think is right with limited information... sometimes with tragic results. No one comes out looking squeaky clean, and yet no one comes out looking overly monstrous either. Great job of showing just how murky real life often is. Very much recommended.