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The Nanny
India McKenzie lost her mother far too young. And now she’s lost her best friend, too.
She needs to escape, so she takes a job with a wealthy family.
They live in an isolated old manor house in the Derbyshire countryside. There’s never anyone around.
The parents are not exactly warm. It’s all piano practice and scheduling playdates.
Seven-year-old Alicia can be difficult sometimes, but really she’s just a sweet little girl who’s lonely. She needs a friend — not just a nanny.
Everyone says the grown-up son is dangerous. But India can’t help being drawn to him . . .
And there’s something no one talks about. A secret that this family will do anything to keep.
India became a nanny to finally find a family to call her own. Now that she’s found them — will they destroy her?
. . . She’s part of their family now.
She needs to escape, so she takes a job with a wealthy family.
They live in an isolated old manor house in the Derbyshire countryside. There’s never anyone around.
The parents are not exactly warm. It’s all piano practice and scheduling playdates.
Seven-year-old Alicia can be difficult sometimes, but really she’s just a sweet little girl who’s lonely. She needs a friend — not just a nanny.
Everyone says the grown-up son is dangerous. But India can’t help being drawn to him . . .
And there’s something no one talks about. A secret that this family will do anything to keep.
India became a nanny to finally find a family to call her own. Now that she’s found them — will they destroy her?
. . . She’s part of their family now.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2023
123 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 14, 2024
3⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ UK
Publication date ~ June 20, 2023
Est Page Count ~ 412 (p+ 30 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 15 hours 3 minutes
Narrator ~ Mhairi Morrison
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ slow moving, a little bit of steamage
India has taken on the nanny position to 7 year old, Alicia. There's also a 20 something year old man living there. Since he around India's age it's not hard to figure out what will happen even though she's told to stay away from him.
Pretty much all characters were unlikable. Actually, not pretty much, I hated them all. I am not a fan of constant misbehaving kids. You know it's bad when the nanny say "her obedience always surprises me." 😂 However, I can see why Alicia needed a nanny since her parents weren't around much, or seemed to really care about her, so maybe she was just looking for attention.
Overall, this was about 6 hours/150 pages too long, but I did enjoy a bit of a twist I hadn't seen coming.
Narration notes:
She did fine. Sounded age appropriate.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ UK
Publication date ~ June 20, 2023
Est Page Count ~ 412 (p+ 30 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 15 hours 3 minutes
Narrator ~ Mhairi Morrison
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ slow moving, a little bit of steamage
India has taken on the nanny position to 7 year old, Alicia. There's also a 20 something year old man living there. Since he around India's age it's not hard to figure out what will happen even though she's told to stay away from him.
Pretty much all characters were unlikable. Actually, not pretty much, I hated them all. I am not a fan of constant misbehaving kids. You know it's bad when the nanny say "her obedience always surprises me." 😂 However, I can see why Alicia needed a nanny since her parents weren't around much, or seemed to really care about her, so maybe she was just looking for attention.
Overall, this was about 6 hours/150 pages too long, but I did enjoy a bit of a twist I hadn't seen coming.
Narration notes:
She did fine. Sounded age appropriate.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
June 27, 2023
She's part of their family now...
Where do I start? The premise for THE NANNY was intriguing and the cover reminded me so much of "The Housemaid" (which was one of the best thrillers ever!) so naturally I was excited to read it. It started out compelling...and then it petered out into...what, exactly?
India McKenzie is running from a secret. Straight into the arms of the Maines. There she takes up the position as nanny to their somewhat precocious seven year old while they flutter about their lives. Admittedly, I'm not a fan of precocious little children but it didn't take long for me to warm to Alicia. Probably because she didn't really read like your typical seven year old. She was India's only companion and vice versa. The two seemed to find an equilibrium together that complemented the other.
And then there was Alex. He is the adult son of John and Julia Maine. Twentysomething, home from Oxford having studied medicine to follow in his father's footsteps. So why isn't he? And why does he keep himself locked away in the attic room? Away from the family? And why do the family show such disdain for him? Julia ignores India's questions as to who is Alex. And John just gets angry. It's Alicia who enlightens her. No one likes Alex and Alex doesn't like anyone either. Keep out of his way and he'll keep out of theirs. But there is something intriguing about Alex that India can't keep away from...
But if Alex has problems, then India has plenty of her own too. After all, she took this job in rural Derbyshire to escape her past in Leeds. A secret from which she's running. And every day she writes a letter to her best friend Hope telling her of her new life and how much she wishes she could share it with her. Letter after letter after letter...until she stops.
And then one day, Hope begins to write back. Reminding her of their friendship, of their secret and how they will always be together. And that forever is a long time.
There's not a lot I can say about this book without revealing anything but I will say there's a lot of slow build up. Like pushing a heavy trolley uphill for miles, waiting for the end in sight. Simply put, half of the book could probably have been editted out. I mean we have surplus characters that do nothing and then those who do nothing spend half their time bonking like rabbits! Is this a thriller or fifty shades? Seriously though, there is something sinister going on and nothing is as it seems at the Manor. The parents are fruit loops - I mean who wakes their seven year old child up on a school night after getting home from Austria to give them presents?! This could be done when the said child came home from school the next day! I had no time for the parents and poor Alicia was just a lonely child starved of affection.
THE NANNY had the promise of an interesting thriller but it failed in its execution I feel. It's OK but it is just soooo drawn out. It needs to be shorter, snappier, punchier. And less of the steamy sex scenes. I get it. Alex is intense. India fancied him. Need we get chapter and verse on everything that ensued? It felt like a romance most of the time, not a thriller.
I would like to thank #EleonorSamuel, #Netgalley, #JoffeBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheNanny in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Where do I start? The premise for THE NANNY was intriguing and the cover reminded me so much of "The Housemaid" (which was one of the best thrillers ever!) so naturally I was excited to read it. It started out compelling...and then it petered out into...what, exactly?
India McKenzie is running from a secret. Straight into the arms of the Maines. There she takes up the position as nanny to their somewhat precocious seven year old while they flutter about their lives. Admittedly, I'm not a fan of precocious little children but it didn't take long for me to warm to Alicia. Probably because she didn't really read like your typical seven year old. She was India's only companion and vice versa. The two seemed to find an equilibrium together that complemented the other.
And then there was Alex. He is the adult son of John and Julia Maine. Twentysomething, home from Oxford having studied medicine to follow in his father's footsteps. So why isn't he? And why does he keep himself locked away in the attic room? Away from the family? And why do the family show such disdain for him? Julia ignores India's questions as to who is Alex. And John just gets angry. It's Alicia who enlightens her. No one likes Alex and Alex doesn't like anyone either. Keep out of his way and he'll keep out of theirs. But there is something intriguing about Alex that India can't keep away from...
But if Alex has problems, then India has plenty of her own too. After all, she took this job in rural Derbyshire to escape her past in Leeds. A secret from which she's running. And every day she writes a letter to her best friend Hope telling her of her new life and how much she wishes she could share it with her. Letter after letter after letter...until she stops.
And then one day, Hope begins to write back. Reminding her of their friendship, of their secret and how they will always be together. And that forever is a long time.
There's not a lot I can say about this book without revealing anything but I will say there's a lot of slow build up. Like pushing a heavy trolley uphill for miles, waiting for the end in sight. Simply put, half of the book could probably have been editted out. I mean we have surplus characters that do nothing and then those who do nothing spend half their time bonking like rabbits! Is this a thriller or fifty shades? Seriously though, there is something sinister going on and nothing is as it seems at the Manor. The parents are fruit loops - I mean who wakes their seven year old child up on a school night after getting home from Austria to give them presents?! This could be done when the said child came home from school the next day! I had no time for the parents and poor Alicia was just a lonely child starved of affection.
THE NANNY had the promise of an interesting thriller but it failed in its execution I feel. It's OK but it is just soooo drawn out. It needs to be shorter, snappier, punchier. And less of the steamy sex scenes. I get it. Alex is intense. India fancied him. Need we get chapter and verse on everything that ensued? It felt like a romance most of the time, not a thriller.
I would like to thank #EleonorSamuel, #Netgalley, #JoffeBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheNanny in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 18, 2025
The Nanny by Eleonor Samuel felt really long to me—the pacing was pretty slow and didn’t really pick up until the end. The story follows India, who lost her mom when she was young and is now dealing with the recent loss of her best friend. She takes a job nannying for a wealthy family who live way out in the middle of nowhere. While there, she gets drawn to the family’s adult son, who everyone says is dangerous. The premise was interesting, but I wish it had moved a bit faster.
June 9, 2023
The Nanny follows our main character, India, who takes a nannying position for a family with lots of secrets.
It started out really strong. You are quickly introduced to multiple suspicious characters, and you follow India as she is trying to determine what rumors to believe and who to trust. Throughout the book, we also get snippets of some letters India is writing to a friend from home, but we don't know much about this friend. I enjoyed the addition of the letters. They started to give a creepier vibe as the story went on.
I do think this could have been shorter. The pacing of the beginning and end was good, but the middle dragged a little to me, and it just seemed like a lot of the same type things were happening over and over in the plot. I was also liking the characters in the beginning, but as the story went on, I was getting a little bored by them and waiting for things to wrap up.
If you enjoy thrillers with romance and a main character who thinks she might be going insane, you should check this one out. It just wasn't a favorite of mine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me a copy in exchange for a review!
It started out really strong. You are quickly introduced to multiple suspicious characters, and you follow India as she is trying to determine what rumors to believe and who to trust. Throughout the book, we also get snippets of some letters India is writing to a friend from home, but we don't know much about this friend. I enjoyed the addition of the letters. They started to give a creepier vibe as the story went on.
I do think this could have been shorter. The pacing of the beginning and end was good, but the middle dragged a little to me, and it just seemed like a lot of the same type things were happening over and over in the plot. I was also liking the characters in the beginning, but as the story went on, I was getting a little bored by them and waiting for things to wrap up.
If you enjoy thrillers with romance and a main character who thinks she might be going insane, you should check this one out. It just wasn't a favorite of mine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me a copy in exchange for a review!
November 20, 2023
I enjoyed the book up to a certain point , but then I had to suffer to get to the end.
Unbelievable! Where is the editor when you need one?
Unbelievable! Where is the editor when you need one?
July 10, 2023
India has lost her mother and her best friend. She takes on the job as a Nanny for a wealthy family in the hope of becoming part of their family.
All is not as it seems though - the parents are hardly there, Alicia is a bit of a naughty child and then there's the older son, Alex, who everyone says is dangerous. India finds herself drawn to Alex though. There's also a big secret hanging over them. Will this new family destroy her?
It's been a long time since a book has had me on the edge of my seat and this did all of the way through. So many twists and turns and I was so nervous for India all throughout. With each chapter I kept thinking, is this where something happens to her? I had the right feeling about who was involved, but didn't have the reason why. I enjoyed the shock that was brought with that.
India was was likeable, although a little gullible, but after finding out what had happened to her it was understandable.
All is not as it seems though - the parents are hardly there, Alicia is a bit of a naughty child and then there's the older son, Alex, who everyone says is dangerous. India finds herself drawn to Alex though. There's also a big secret hanging over them. Will this new family destroy her?
It's been a long time since a book has had me on the edge of my seat and this did all of the way through. So many twists and turns and I was so nervous for India all throughout. With each chapter I kept thinking, is this where something happens to her? I had the right feeling about who was involved, but didn't have the reason why. I enjoyed the shock that was brought with that.
India was was likeable, although a little gullible, but after finding out what had happened to her it was understandable.
January 9, 2024
Good lord — one of the most insipid and pathetic main characters ever! I ‘read’ the audiobook - listening to India’s half finished sentences and whispered histrionics was agonizing. Almost DNF several times but kept waiting for a twist based on reviews (although it was pretty obvious from early on who was sketchy).
Maybe she’s less annoying in actual read-from-the-page format, but I didn’t find India to be a great leading character for a so-called thriller. She was so annoying and there was nothing interesting about her beyond being a victim of her circumstances. Sadly the 7 year old babysitting charge had more grit and wherewithal.
If you listen be prepared for literal hours of India sputtering, whimpering, cowering, and gasping in high pitched squeals. And I think the author described Alex’s eyes and jeans, and Alicia’s chestnut hair no less than a 1000 times each! Gah
Maybe she’s less annoying in actual read-from-the-page format, but I didn’t find India to be a great leading character for a so-called thriller. She was so annoying and there was nothing interesting about her beyond being a victim of her circumstances. Sadly the 7 year old babysitting charge had more grit and wherewithal.
If you listen be prepared for literal hours of India sputtering, whimpering, cowering, and gasping in high pitched squeals. And I think the author described Alex’s eyes and jeans, and Alicia’s chestnut hair no less than a 1000 times each! Gah
July 20, 2023
Thank you Netgalley for the kindle copy in exchange for a honest review. India is struggling following the death of her mother and her best friend. To escape she takes a job as Nanny to Alicia and moves into the old secluded manor house. The family have secrets and lies. Strange things start to happen to India including letters from her dead friend. A gripping psychological thriller with unexpected twists.
August 31, 2023
Sadly, this book was just not for me. I wanted to read it because the cover very closely resembles the cover on a book by my favorite author. But they were in no way the same. I seriously struggled with this book. It was slow, boring, and I lost interest very early on. The chapters were so unbelievably long! It needed to be shortened by at least 150 pages. If I were the type to DNF books, this would definitely have been DNF'd!
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this eARC.
June 28, 2023
This book gripped me from the start.
India has lost everything, even her home, and decides to go and work for a wealthy family, to look after their young daughter Alicia.
To begin with Alica comes across as a brat, but you soon learn she just needs a steady presence, and to be loved. There were some hard done by characters in this book, but I think it was Alicia I felt for most of all, dismissed just because she was 7, but smarter and more astute than anyone gave her credit for.
Then there's Alex, dark, brooding, locked away and forgotten by his family, why?
Then India has a secret, writing letters to an old friend. Her best friend.
There were some parts of the plot I guessed and maybe one of the biggest reveals was given away early, if you were looking for that, but it didn't matter. At all. This has a real sense of menace throughout, intertwined with a love story. The secrets we all carry around.
Julia, a minor character in some respects, but one of the worst, a total b*tch, to her husband, to her children, to anyone to cross her path!
There were some very touching moments between Alex and Alicia and I may have shed a tear at the end. No mean feat.
I think this book will stay with me for a while.
India has lost everything, even her home, and decides to go and work for a wealthy family, to look after their young daughter Alicia.
To begin with Alica comes across as a brat, but you soon learn she just needs a steady presence, and to be loved. There were some hard done by characters in this book, but I think it was Alicia I felt for most of all, dismissed just because she was 7, but smarter and more astute than anyone gave her credit for.
Then there's Alex, dark, brooding, locked away and forgotten by his family, why?
Then India has a secret, writing letters to an old friend. Her best friend.
There were some parts of the plot I guessed and maybe one of the biggest reveals was given away early, if you were looking for that, but it didn't matter. At all. This has a real sense of menace throughout, intertwined with a love story. The secrets we all carry around.
Julia, a minor character in some respects, but one of the worst, a total b*tch, to her husband, to her children, to anyone to cross her path!
There were some very touching moments between Alex and Alicia and I may have shed a tear at the end. No mean feat.
I think this book will stay with me for a while.
June 19, 2023
India just started nannying for a wealthy family that makes her uneasy. She knows she'll have to work hard to befriend the little girl, Alicia, and although they tell her to pay him no attention, she keeps on being drawn to their older son, Alex...
This is a psychological thriller that will have you questionning who is telling the truth about what happened. I really didn't like Alicia's character, and the book was about 100 pages too long, dragging and repetitive. Even the final confrontation had be wishing it was shorter because it felt drawn out. It was also very predictable. It felt more like a romance drama most of the time. It's disappointing, because it started very interesting, and the premise was good, but it fell flat. This one wasn't for me.
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a psychological thriller that will have you questionning who is telling the truth about what happened. I really didn't like Alicia's character, and the book was about 100 pages too long, dragging and repetitive. Even the final confrontation had be wishing it was shorter because it felt drawn out. It was also very predictable. It felt more like a romance drama most of the time. It's disappointing, because it started very interesting, and the premise was good, but it fell flat. This one wasn't for me.
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 28, 2023
This was an enjoyable thriller with romance thrown in. India was such an intriguing character. I loved most of the characters, tbf. I felt so sorry for Alex all the way through, I saw the twist coming, and I guessed right with who it was. I thought Alicia was a spoiled brat until she warmed up to India, and they became like sisters. I was shocked at what Alex's mother did to the dog and how Alex got the blame for everything, but I was also very happy with how everything was explained the more further i got into it. I loved how the letters were thrown in to add more depth to the story as well. Also, the twists with Brett as well. I felt it was the right length so that it wasn't rushed and was just a really good thriller! Honestly, I could rave about this book for days with all the twists and feels it gives!
July 1, 2023
I did enjoy The Nanny, but was expecting a totally different storyline going on the books blurb. I was expecting more psychological thriller aspects, but got more romance than I felt was necessary.
The characters were all messed up in so many ways, India becoming a nanny hoping the family would replace those ones she'd lost. Alicia was just wanted to be loved and shown affection by her family, and Alex, disliked by his own parents just wanted to be loved too.
The plot is a slow burner allowing us to acquaint with the characters, that builds up pace the further into the story we delve.
I found The Nanny to be intriguing, well plotted and an entertaining read.
It's also the first book I've read from this author and it won't be my last.
The characters were all messed up in so many ways, India becoming a nanny hoping the family would replace those ones she'd lost. Alicia was just wanted to be loved and shown affection by her family, and Alex, disliked by his own parents just wanted to be loved too.
The plot is a slow burner allowing us to acquaint with the characters, that builds up pace the further into the story we delve.
I found The Nanny to be intriguing, well plotted and an entertaining read.
It's also the first book I've read from this author and it won't be my last.
November 16, 2023
This really falls somewhere in the two range, but I’m going to round up to three stars because I did listen to the entire thing. I spotted the culprit very soon after that character was introduced, but still I kept going. The main problem for me was the incessant use of the characters names. A constant barrage of Alicia, Alex, and India. I read another review that said it was about 100 pages too long, and I agree with that assessment.
June 19, 2023
3* ADVANCED KINDLE READER REVIEW
Ok
My problem with this book is that it takes so long to get anywhere...there are underlying tensions from the get-go but quarter way in (Chapter 8 of 30) and nothings actually happened.
The neurotic "Nanny" is settling into her life at "The Manor" where the dysfunctional parents are making her life miserable, the mysterious son has a history that's not yet explained, the locals say a lot without being specific about how odd the Manor folk are, she writes letters to a lost friend (who at this juncture I suspect as being either imaginary or dead as they're never posted) and her mother is in a mental health unit.
No one's been murdered, assaulted or defrauded...no crimes been described...nothing of real interest or merit making it a struggle for a procedural fan like myself.
16 Chapters in and there have been a number of mysterious "events"...magnetic letters making ominous sentences, roses and rings appearing on The Nanny's bed, and now a simple flower picture appearing in shower room condensation after she's received a letter from that lost friend - if my theory is correct someone is messing with her mind...it's all well written but do I have the patience to enjoy the slow build up?
Apparently I do, though I gave over most of a day to get there and was distracted by cricket, sunshine and music so it wasn't really gripping me...disappointingly I guessed "whodunnit" early doors but there were some interesting twists along the way before I reached the end of the narrative.
Fans of the genre might bemoan my 3* rating, I might accept that I've been a tad tight because, as I said earlier, it's quite well written BUT for me it was all a bit too slow, and there were some plot devices that stretched credibility a little too far - especially with regard to the stream of letters arriving at the right point/time (which were inexplicably recognised as being in the (dead) friends hand)...I couldn't see the protagonist having time/opportunity to get it all done...Maybe I need to learn to suspend belief more easily
Ok
My problem with this book is that it takes so long to get anywhere...there are underlying tensions from the get-go but quarter way in (Chapter 8 of 30) and nothings actually happened.
The neurotic "Nanny" is settling into her life at "The Manor" where the dysfunctional parents are making her life miserable, the mysterious son has a history that's not yet explained, the locals say a lot without being specific about how odd the Manor folk are, she writes letters to a lost friend (who at this juncture I suspect as being either imaginary or dead as they're never posted) and her mother is in a mental health unit.
No one's been murdered, assaulted or defrauded...no crimes been described...nothing of real interest or merit making it a struggle for a procedural fan like myself.
16 Chapters in and there have been a number of mysterious "events"...magnetic letters making ominous sentences, roses and rings appearing on The Nanny's bed, and now a simple flower picture appearing in shower room condensation after she's received a letter from that lost friend - if my theory is correct someone is messing with her mind...it's all well written but do I have the patience to enjoy the slow build up?
Apparently I do, though I gave over most of a day to get there and was distracted by cricket, sunshine and music so it wasn't really gripping me...disappointingly I guessed "whodunnit" early doors but there were some interesting twists along the way before I reached the end of the narrative.
Fans of the genre might bemoan my 3* rating, I might accept that I've been a tad tight because, as I said earlier, it's quite well written BUT for me it was all a bit too slow, and there were some plot devices that stretched credibility a little too far - especially with regard to the stream of letters arriving at the right point/time (which were inexplicably recognised as being in the (dead) friends hand)...I couldn't see the protagonist having time/opportunity to get it all done...Maybe I need to learn to suspend belief more easily
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2024
Review for audio;
I don't know where to begin with this? I had such higher expectations. The cover reminded me of the Housemaid, but I was wrong!
India takes a job as nanny to 7 year old Alicia, who does not get much attention from her parents. Great but then things went all over the place. A past secret, a romance that India was warned not to engage in, a deep attachment to someone from her past, and letters from a supposed deceased person. This was all over the place with no main focal point. Story went on way too long. Could have been trimmed down. I really can recommend. Wasn't wowed
I don't know where to begin with this? I had such higher expectations. The cover reminded me of the Housemaid, but I was wrong!
India takes a job as nanny to 7 year old Alicia, who does not get much attention from her parents. Great but then things went all over the place. A past secret, a romance that India was warned not to engage in, a deep attachment to someone from her past, and letters from a supposed deceased person. This was all over the place with no main focal point. Story went on way too long. Could have been trimmed down. I really can recommend. Wasn't wowed
May 22, 2024
This book was looking! Reading slump induced...
But tbh it started so good I truly loved it, it was light and easy to read, and reminded me a lot of the cutesy fanfic stuff I used to read during my teenage years, which was like a breath of fresh air tbh, but it kept dragging on with expected (supposed to be thriller) plot twist, and I got bored and just stopped reading, it's not a bad plot twist but it's kinda overused and extremely expected since the beginning of the book. Not to mention the ending too which was so cliché and kinda forced a happy ending which was lame tbh.
Also India is totally unlikable, actually all the characters in this book are unlikable, reminds me a lot of the book "the last one" 🤣
Not sure if I would recommend this book, it's to long to be worth it, unless you want a thriller with a cute romance.
But tbh it started so good I truly loved it, it was light and easy to read, and reminded me a lot of the cutesy fanfic stuff I used to read during my teenage years, which was like a breath of fresh air tbh, but it kept dragging on with expected (supposed to be thriller) plot twist, and I got bored and just stopped reading, it's not a bad plot twist but it's kinda overused and extremely expected since the beginning of the book. Not to mention the ending too which was so cliché and kinda forced a happy ending which was lame tbh.
Also India is totally unlikable, actually all the characters in this book are unlikable, reminds me a lot of the book "the last one" 🤣
Not sure if I would recommend this book, it's to long to be worth it, unless you want a thriller with a cute romance.
February 3, 2024
I really liked 7 year old Alicia.
July 4, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really loved it.
India needs to get away and what better way than taking a job as nanny to a wealthy family, far from home, in an isolated part of Derbyshire.
Alicia is only 7 and although has a busy schedule, she's extremely lonely. She's plays up sometimes but just needs some affection.
The parents are away a lot and when they're home, they are distant.
There are secrets within the family but this draws India in even more.
Could this be the family that she's longing to feel part of?
I really loved India - she was adorable with Alicia and the relationship she builds with Alex was really well written and lovely. Given her past, I really felt sorry for her and wanted something good to happen for her.
When things play out differently, I did feel like she was a little naive, but maybe this was due to her upbringing and need to feel part of something bigger which kept her striving to fit in.
I absolutely hated the parents! I'm a big advocate for positive parenting and the need for love, care and attention through the whole family. I'm not even sure that they came across as nice people to anyone, not just their children.
The writing style was great. It was fast-paced, gripping, twisty and kept me guessing. I feel like I had some of the ending worked out mid way, but I had no clue why - and I did keep making new theories as everyone was being suspicious!
A really good read that had me on edge.
India needs to get away and what better way than taking a job as nanny to a wealthy family, far from home, in an isolated part of Derbyshire.
Alicia is only 7 and although has a busy schedule, she's extremely lonely. She's plays up sometimes but just needs some affection.
The parents are away a lot and when they're home, they are distant.
There are secrets within the family but this draws India in even more.
Could this be the family that she's longing to feel part of?
I really loved India - she was adorable with Alicia and the relationship she builds with Alex was really well written and lovely. Given her past, I really felt sorry for her and wanted something good to happen for her.
When things play out differently, I did feel like she was a little naive, but maybe this was due to her upbringing and need to feel part of something bigger which kept her striving to fit in.
I absolutely hated the parents! I'm a big advocate for positive parenting and the need for love, care and attention through the whole family. I'm not even sure that they came across as nice people to anyone, not just their children.
The writing style was great. It was fast-paced, gripping, twisty and kept me guessing. I feel like I had some of the ending worked out mid way, but I had no clue why - and I did keep making new theories as everyone was being suspicious!
A really good read that had me on edge.
July 6, 2023
What an introduction to a book, perfectly descriptive so you can visualise the surroundings. A shocking moment of the saying ‘see life flash before your eyes’ and the mystery of a letter. Who’s hope? But then what’s Alex’s story? So many questions extremely early on I just was eager to know the answers. The letters throughout revealing tiny snippets are an incredible way of getting the reader to imagine what happened in the past. The characters that creep out at you that also leave clues are so different that you want to know more about their story too. I did initially struggle pushing through, I felt there was a lot of detail and introductions to characters without much going on.
There was alot of emotion when questions were asked from Alicia and you could relate if you have ever been that child and asked those sorts of questions. Slowly eerie things start to happen in the Manor and the chills start to the form. What was India running from? I absolutely adored the subtle amount of steam and it was a nice approach to a psychological thriller. I did find this book good but it was a bit too long winded for me but a great ending.
There was alot of emotion when questions were asked from Alicia and you could relate if you have ever been that child and asked those sorts of questions. Slowly eerie things start to happen in the Manor and the chills start to the form. What was India running from? I absolutely adored the subtle amount of steam and it was a nice approach to a psychological thriller. I did find this book good but it was a bit too long winded for me but a great ending.
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars rounded to 3 stars for Goodreads.
It wasn't quite what I expect from the blurb, but there were definitely elements I enjoyed.
I loved watching the relationship grow between Alicia and both India and Alex - they formed such a tight knit trio. I felt for both Alex and Alicia with their parents and wanted more love to be shown towards them. I also thought the ending was very good, it tied things up nicely.
There was definitely way more romance than I was expecting and it felt more like they were teenagers rather than adults - I guess I didn't get the tension because I kept thinking, you're fully grown adults and can do what you like? Whilst I saw a twist coming, I was wrong about the person.
Overall, I liked the family element of this book and would read more by Eleonor.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
It wasn't quite what I expect from the blurb, but there were definitely elements I enjoyed.
I loved watching the relationship grow between Alicia and both India and Alex - they formed such a tight knit trio. I felt for both Alex and Alicia with their parents and wanted more love to be shown towards them. I also thought the ending was very good, it tied things up nicely.
There was definitely way more romance than I was expecting and it felt more like they were teenagers rather than adults - I guess I didn't get the tension because I kept thinking, you're fully grown adults and can do what you like? Whilst I saw a twist coming, I was wrong about the person.
Overall, I liked the family element of this book and would read more by Eleonor.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 15, 2023
India needs to start a new life away from University in Leeds and finds herself employed as a Nanny for John and Julia Maine's young daughter, Alicia.
It sounds straightforward, but it isn't. India has secrets. The Maines have a skeleton or two in their closet, too. And then there's the oldest son, Alex, who stays in the house for at least now.
Rumours and innuendo abound, and India has to determine which ones to believe and which not. If she isn't careful, she could be in danger.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. I love psychological thrillers with plenty of suspicious characters, and this book had no shortage of them.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist took me in a different direction, and it wasn't until the end that all was revealed.
It sounds straightforward, but it isn't. India has secrets. The Maines have a skeleton or two in their closet, too. And then there's the oldest son, Alex, who stays in the house for at least now.
Rumours and innuendo abound, and India has to determine which ones to believe and which not. If she isn't careful, she could be in danger.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. I love psychological thrillers with plenty of suspicious characters, and this book had no shortage of them.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist took me in a different direction, and it wasn't until the end that all was revealed.
July 12, 2023
Thank you to the wonderful team at Zooloo for allowing me to be a part of this book tour.
This book was full of twists and turns! It started off super speedy & had me totally hooked - I was desperate to know what was going to happen to India!
As the book continued, the pace became slower and I found myself getting super impatient - I just wanted to know the outcome! The letters to Hope definitely kept me engaged!
Towards the very end, the pace definitely picked up again & to see the way it panned out for India and Alex was so surprising. I felt myself getting really nervous for Alicia & how she was dealing with the situation.
I really enjoyed reading this psychological thriller and recommend everyone who is a fan of dysfunctional families & twisted secrets to do the same.
This book was full of twists and turns! It started off super speedy & had me totally hooked - I was desperate to know what was going to happen to India!
As the book continued, the pace became slower and I found myself getting super impatient - I just wanted to know the outcome! The letters to Hope definitely kept me engaged!
Towards the very end, the pace definitely picked up again & to see the way it panned out for India and Alex was so surprising. I felt myself getting really nervous for Alicia & how she was dealing with the situation.
I really enjoyed reading this psychological thriller and recommend everyone who is a fan of dysfunctional families & twisted secrets to do the same.
June 30, 2023
A well written, super detailed thriller with a bit of romance that will have you on the edge of your seat.
This one is a longer book with longer chapters but that leaves a lot of room for all the vivid details that is put into this story. It's almost as if you are watching a movie or see it happening right in front of you. The characters were well developed and definitely relatable. The plot was well thought out and the twists you do not even see coming. The first half was a bit slow for me personally but from the middle onto the end I just had to know what was going to happen and who was truly involved. I would love a sequel because the ending was written in a way that it would be possible. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
This one is a longer book with longer chapters but that leaves a lot of room for all the vivid details that is put into this story. It's almost as if you are watching a movie or see it happening right in front of you. The characters were well developed and definitely relatable. The plot was well thought out and the twists you do not even see coming. The first half was a bit slow for me personally but from the middle onto the end I just had to know what was going to happen and who was truly involved. I would love a sequel because the ending was written in a way that it would be possible. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
November 22, 2023
Soooo excruciatingly long. This could have been wrapped up in half the time if it weren’t for India’s spluttering of half finished sentences.
June 5, 2023
Indian is the nanny for a wealthy family it seems everyone in the house has a secret. I loved the well developed characters in this story. Alex is mysterious and charming. Brett is creepy and gives off some seriously bad energy. India is naive and terribly gullible. Strange things happen in the isolated mansion. Who left the window open? How’d that flower get there? Is Alex dangerous? Clear out your day before starting this book. It’s a bit long and is a page turner.
June 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it sounded fantastic and it didn't disappoint.
The storyline is completely gripping and hooked me in straight from the start, with well developed characters who were all worthy of suspicion and a tense atmosphere which made it hard to know what to believe.
The book is twisty and left me guessing I thought I had it all figured out and was feeling smug until I didn't have it figured out and was left wanting more.
A great read
The storyline is completely gripping and hooked me in straight from the start, with well developed characters who were all worthy of suspicion and a tense atmosphere which made it hard to know what to believe.
The book is twisty and left me guessing I thought I had it all figured out and was feeling smug until I didn't have it figured out and was left wanting more.
A great read
September 1, 2023
This was just not a book for me. I felt like it had a lot of things even characters that had no relevance to the story at all! And a lot of things kept repeating. I guessed what was going to happen very early in. It took the book forever to get to the point. Like half the book could have been left out and it would have been much better. The ending was good. The story was good it just wasn’t put together in the best way.
June 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It was very well written and I enjoyed following all the twists and turns. I did spend a lot of time thinking why on earth hasn’t she just gone home! I really liked the letter element at the end of each chapter (even if I didn’t understand it for a lot!) as it gave you much more of an insight into the main characters feelings. I would recommend to all thriller lovers!
July 24, 2023
Save Your Money. Please!
Probably the most boring, and certainly the most annoying, book I have ever read. I nearly stopped several times, but I don’t like to start a book and not finish it. It could have been a good story, but the central character is seriously disturbed and the other characters are, with one exception, one-dimensional. Annoyingly one-dimensional.
Probably the most boring, and certainly the most annoying, book I have ever read. I nearly stopped several times, but I don’t like to start a book and not finish it. It could have been a good story, but the central character is seriously disturbed and the other characters are, with one exception, one-dimensional. Annoyingly one-dimensional.
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