Watch for Thorns

by Kendall LeAnn

Watch for Thorns follows Audrey, a thoughtful and quietly resilient graduate student who accepts a job as a private chauffeur for a wealthy family in decline. Her employer, Mara, is glamorous and fragile—obsessed with appearances, control, and her own reflection—while Rose, Mara’s teenage daughter, lashes out in confusion and loneliness.
As the lines between professional and personal blur, Audrey finds herself holding more than keys—she's holding the fragile threads of a household on the brink.
Set against the backdrop of privilege, performance, and generational divides, Watch for Thorns is a sharp, emotionally layered exploration of four women—each from different worlds—trying to hold it together in the ways they were taught. It's a story about care, control, and claiming your own life—even when you might piss some people off.

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2025

Reviews

[Moedawg63 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut author! Realistic portrayal of mental health issues.

[Chris Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful debut novel by the author. It was thoroughly engaging and enjoyable. The chapter structure made it hard to put down; I ended up reading the book in just a couple of sittings because I had to find out what happened next.

The protagonist (Audrey) takes on the role of a modern-day Marry Poppins wielding a sweet pup named Bubba in lieu of an umbrella. This coming of age tale explores the complexities of a dysfunctional family system while balancing it out with humor.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.