Thank you Atria Books #partner, for the advanced e-copy of Adrift in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: February 17, 2026
Summary:
The author of the “master class in suspense” (Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author) The Chamber returns with a high-tension thriller about a family’s descent into darkness that is perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane and Lisa Jewell.
Peggy and Drew, both aspiring writers, move to an isolated canal boat with their fourteen-year-old son. Peggy is the glue that holds their family together, even as their son is bullied relentlessly for his physique and his family’s lack of money. But when Drew becomes frustrated by his wife’s sudden writing success, he moves their boat further and further from civilization.
With their increasing isolation, personal challenges become harder to ignore, even as they desperately try to break toxic generational patterns. But when Drew’s gaslighting becomes too much for Peggy to take, it sets off a catastrophic series of events.
With Will Dean’s signature “well-drawn characters and excellent prose” (Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author), Adrift is gripping exploration of the ties that bind when everything spirals out of control.
My thoughts:
It’s no secret that I am a fan of Will Dean’s books, I also happen to be fan of him as a person, too, having had the opportunity to hang out with him at a few conferences last year! But this book — I think it’s his best yet!
This just might be the most unsettling, intense, hauntingly terrifying book I’ve read while also being one of the most heartbreaking. I had such a visceral reading experience while reading this. As someone who is extremely empathetic, it was hard to not be affected by the manipulation and gaslighting that we see happening across the pages. I was so mad, so frustrated but I couldn’t look away because I felt to keep reading was a way to hold these characters close, to possibly ensure they would be safe. Silly I know, but that’s the hold this book had on me. I couldn’t leave them on their own, leave them to find for themselves.
This book had me on the edge of my seat almost from the beginning. There was always that sense of dread, waiting for the unthinkable to happen. Between the isolation, being on the boat, away from everyone else to the bullying and constant need for control, this powerful read really took a toll on me. It’s so thought-provoking and yet it’s also completely addicting. As hard a read as it was, I couldn’t think of anything else and ended up reading it in a 24-hour period.
This will for sure be a top read of the year and one I’ll be encouraging everyone to read!
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