One night, Jess, a struggling actress, finds a five-year-old runaway hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. After a violent, bloody encounter with the boy’s father, she and the boy find themselves running for their lives.

As they attempt to evade the boy’s increasingly desperate father, horrifying incidents of butchery follow them. At first, Jess thinks she understands what they’re up against, but she’s about to learn there’s more to these surreal and grisly events than she could’ve ever imagined.

And that when the wolf finally comes home, none will be spared.

I went into this book not really knowing what to expect. I’d seen the cover (which is absolutely killer), heard the hype, and thought, “I’m totally in.” Plus, I’m always down for a good old-fashioned werewolf story. Turns out, this wasn’t that. But that’s not a bad thing because it ended up being a hell of a lot more.

Right from the first chapter, the book makes it clear it’s not messing around. The opening scene is creepy as hell, setting the tone perfectly. I knew as soon as I read the first chapter that I was going to have a tough time putting this one down. It kicks off with an eerie, almost cinematic vibe, and it doesn’t waste any time getting to the good stuff.

Then we meet Jess, our protagonist. She’s a struggling actress, trying to make ends meet while chasing her dreams. You can tell right away that life hasn’t exactly been easy for her, but there’s something tough and resilient about her, too. I liked that she’s not just some victim waiting for things to happen to her. She’s a fighter. She’s got grit.

Things really start to spiral when Jess finds a five-year-old runaway hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. At first, it’s just weird—who is this kid, and why is he alone? But then his father shows up, and it’s clear something’s really off. The confrontation that follows is brutal and bloody, and suddenly Jess and the boy are running for their lives. As Jess and the boy try to stay one step ahead of his increasingly desperate father, the story cranks up the tension to eleven. There’s this constant underlying sense of dread, and you always feel like you’re just a few steps behind knowing what, exactly, is happening, which really ups the reading experience. I seriously had a difficult time putting this one down.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the way it balanced horror with more emotional, human moments. Jess isn’t just running from monsters; she’s grappling with her past, her failures, and the choices that led her to this point. It makes her feel like more than just a character—she’s a person you want to see make it through.

And then there’s the horror itself. Cassidy doesn’t hold back when it comes to the scary stuff. There are plenty of scenes that made me genuinely uncomfortable (in a good way). The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and just when you think things might calm down, something else pops up to remind you that safety is a long way off.

What really impressed me, though, was how the story keeps you guessing. At first, you think you know what you’re in for—a classic werewolf tale with some gruesome flair. But as the plot unfolds, you realize there’s a lot more happening beneath the surface. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say that this book twists the whole werewolf mythos in a way that’s both clever and unsettling. It’s not just about teeth and fur—there’s a deeper, darker truth lurking in the shadows. I also really liked how the book didn’t try to be overly philosophical or get bogged down in its own lore. It’s grounded, even when things get supernatural. The horror isn’t just in the monsters—it’s in the uncertainty, the not knowing who to trust or how to escape. That’s what makes it so intense.

If you’re into horror that keeps you on your toes, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. Just be prepared for a wild, creepy ride. And maybe keep a light on while you read—it’s one of those stories that had me so invested I thought I was living it. This is only my second Nat Cassidy book (I read Nestlings last fall), but after this, I’m officially a fan.

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