The Happy Family (The Hunt Family #3) by Daniel Hurst | A Juicy Yet Disturbing Tale Of Manipulation And Revenge…
Please note this book was provided ahead of release by NetGalley.
Synopsis
Luna has finally gotten what she always wanted. Reid, the children, the house and the perfect family life she has spent three books clawing her way into. The only snag is that Sadie, the woman she stole it all from, is not exactly willing to fade away quietly and let “Loco Luna”, as I like to call her, win.
Sadie wants her family back and more importantly, she wants payback! What follows is a deliciously messy domestic thriller full of manipulation, revenge, shifting loyalties and enough tension to give you a migraine.
Review
The Happy Family is not aiming for cosy family vibes and that is very much part of the appeal for the final instalment. This trilogy has built its whole identity around obsession, control and lunatic behaviour.
At this stage, Luna is finally living inside the fantasy she has spent so long trying to force into existence.
She has the husband, the children, the home and the shiny surface version of the life she thinks she deserves. Sadly for her, Sadie has no intention of slipping off quietly while another woman essentially steals her life. She wants her family back and she is more than ready to make life miserable for her in the process.
One thing I really appreciated here is that the story feels less interested in cheap gasp moments and more interested in the fallout of everything that has already happened.
There are still plenty of sharp twisty turns, but they feel better grounded in the characters and their motives. The shifting alliances, the simmering resentment and the constant question of who has the upper hand all give the book a stronger sense of direction that keeps you hooked.
Luna remains a spectacularly awful person which is exactly what makes her such a compelling character. She is very calculating and morally disturbing in a very tactful way. She’s only out for herself and “the happy family” she has merged with and will do anything and everything to ensure she remain in her “perfect wifey” position.
Despite Loco Luna being like a car crash on the motorway that you cannot stop staring at even though you know you should, Sadie was the one who really gave this book its backbone and was the star in my opinion.
Watching her go from wounded divorcee, who could barely get out of bed at her parents rental, to being reactive and focused was one of the most satisfying parts of the whole story. Her progression feels earned despite the madness of the plot and the more she digs her heels in, the more satisfying the plot becomes.
I also thought the multiple perspectives did a lot for the story and really helped shape the world in which they live. Moving between Luna, Sadie, Reid, and Gemma keeps the story fresh and intriguing, giving you VIP access to each characters perspective and thought process.
Now, is the plot realistic? No, not at all however, this did not matter to me, nor is it what fiction is about. This series works because it knows that the manipulation and emotional warfare are excessive. It embraces those factors and with that, it is fully able to go anywhere it wants!
What makes the trilogy so readable is the constant battle for control. Nobody trusts anyone, nobody behaves sensibly and nearly every interaction feels like a trap.
The ending really worked for me too. It feels decisive and does not try to wriggle out of the consequences with some lame unbelievable subplot or twist. After all the manipulation and madness that came before it, that was exactly the right way to close things out.
Who I’d Recommend This To
This will probably work best for readers who enjoy:
Quick, twisty psychological thrillers
Domestic suspense with unhinged characters
Revenge heavy plots
Multiple POV stories
Drama filled thrillers that are unpredictable
Verdict
As a trilogy closer, The Happy Family is tense, unpredictable and completely unhinged. Unlike the second book, the third instalment would not work as a standalone in my opinion. You would walk into the story feeling completely lost, wonder what you had missed and have some serious FOMO. All in all, a very enjoyable read and a must have for your thriller collection.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Pre-order this book on Amazon (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/4tweZ63
Expected release date: 20th April 2026
