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What the Nanny Said
In an elegant house in Little Venice, London, a young mother is quietly going out of her mind. When a charming nanny arrives to help care for her little girl Evie, she seems like salvation–beautiful, capable, devoted to the child.
But the nanny wants more than just a job. She wants everything.
Twenty-five years later, Evie discovers newspaper clippings hidden among her dead mother's belongings–stories about a murdered woman and her missing daughter who shares Evie's exact name and birthday. Following the trail back to the place that was once her home, she’ll uncover a story of manipulation, obsession, and a mother's impossible choice. Some secrets are buried out of love. Others are buried because the truth is too dangerous to tell.
A haunting and sophisticated emotional thriller perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Celeste Ng and Alice Feeney.
But the nanny wants more than just a job. She wants everything.
Twenty-five years later, Evie discovers newspaper clippings hidden among her dead mother's belongings–stories about a murdered woman and her missing daughter who shares Evie's exact name and birthday. Following the trail back to the place that was once her home, she’ll uncover a story of manipulation, obsession, and a mother's impossible choice. Some secrets are buried out of love. Others are buried because the truth is too dangerous to tell.
A haunting and sophisticated emotional thriller perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Celeste Ng and Alice Feeney.
- GenresMystery
Audible Audio
Published July 16, 2025
317 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 16, 2025
3.5 ⭐
There’s no shortage of toxic manipulation in the wealthy community of Little Venice in London! I was in awe of the manipulative behaviors and of how quickly power can corrupt.
Everything is NOT as it seems.
Question EVERYTHING.
I felt the tension, was aware of the tactics, and loved the word choice/phrasing/flow.
I did struggle with the three Ps: pacing, the obsession with pigeonholing, and prejudice.
This author has plenty of promise.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
There’s no shortage of toxic manipulation in the wealthy community of Little Venice in London! I was in awe of the manipulative behaviors and of how quickly power can corrupt.
Everything is NOT as it seems.
Question EVERYTHING.
I felt the tension, was aware of the tactics, and loved the word choice/phrasing/flow.
I did struggle with the three Ps: pacing, the obsession with pigeonholing, and prejudice.
This author has plenty of promise.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 26, 2025
2.75 rounded up ⭐
I was looking for a lesser-known thriller that wasn't all over Reddit or Goodreads or Booktok/Bookstagram, and that's when "What the Nanny Said" bopped over my way. It has an intriguing premise and does indeed make its own space in the thriller genre...BUTTTTTT for me it went off the rails. It's full of twists and turns but there is a point in the back-half where it leaves reality - for me, personally. I guarantee others will love where it goes, though, and this is likely an outlier for me where I didn't fully connect but there is a large audience of readers that will.
I guess my biggest qualm is I wanted to root for certain characters but ended up souring on most of them, leaving no one to cheer on by the end. That's why I think the big twist's impact was softened for me. It's a juicy plot turn but I felt meh about our main character for some reason.
Ultimately, I still recommend this novel and encourage thriller lovers to give it a go.
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I was looking for a lesser-known thriller that wasn't all over Reddit or Goodreads or Booktok/Bookstagram, and that's when "What the Nanny Said" bopped over my way. It has an intriguing premise and does indeed make its own space in the thriller genre...BUTTTTTT for me it went off the rails. It's full of twists and turns but there is a point in the back-half where it leaves reality - for me, personally. I guarantee others will love where it goes, though, and this is likely an outlier for me where I didn't fully connect but there is a large audience of readers that will.
I guess my biggest qualm is I wanted to root for certain characters but ended up souring on most of them, leaving no one to cheer on by the end. That's why I think the big twist's impact was softened for me. It's a juicy plot turn but I felt meh about our main character for some reason.
Ultimately, I still recommend this novel and encourage thriller lovers to give it a go.
Follow BookCLE on IG!
June 26, 2025
One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read— there was never a moment where I truly knew what the truth was. I started this book in the morning during my walk and finished it before bed this evening, I am truly so sad it’s over.
June 24, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Lara Finch delivered a gripping debut! “What The Nanny Said” centered on the lives of mother and daughter, Lucy and Evie. Lucy, who was struggling with stress and paranoia. She hired Taylor, a beautiful and seemingly ideal nanny for Evie. However, Lucy soon became appalled by Taylor’s increasingly possessive behavior, and so it appeared, Taylor wanted more than just the job, she wanted Lucy’s life.
I appreciated how Finch narrated this story through alternating timelines between the past and present as well as telling the story through Evie, Lucy, and Taylor’s perspectives. This dialogue built a gradual sense of unease and had me guessing throughout. I also appreciated the complex characters Finch fabricated. As a mother myself, I found Lucy’s character the most relatable. Lucy was a privileged and fragile mother. She struggled with postnatal anxiety, marital tension, and a growing sense that she was losing control. Contrary to Lucy, Taylor was the abstruse nanny who appeared to be the “ideal nanny”. She was calm, efficient and nurturing. And lastly there was Evie. She was the unsettled daughter. Evie was guarded, introspective and determined to uncover the truth about her family when she was older. I loved how these women’s lives intertwined in a gradually unearthing of the devastating effects of deception, obsession, and identity theft. It was engaging. All three were bound by secrets — but only one of them knew the full story, and it was up to Evie to untangle it.
Along with the elaborate characters, gripping themes were comprised. The ones that stood out the most to me were identity & self deception, obsession & control, and motherhood & protection. Each of these themes lead to the salient question of this story-“What happens when the roles of mother, child, and stranger are blurred beyond recognition?”
Aside from the elements I appreciated, there were a couple that I didn’t care for. Most of this story was fast paced with the exception of the middle portion, and perhaps that was because some of the plot elements seemed a bit far fetched. Moreover, Finch left the story with an unresolved ending. The ending was quiet but lingered on a haunting note. Does this mean there will be a sequel? I guess we will have to wait to find out.
As a lover of psychological thrillers and debut authors, I’m so happy to have found a new voice in the psychological thriller-mystery genre. Lara Finch delivered a chilling twisted tale that was filled with obsession, buried secrets, and blurred identities. I recommend “What the Nanny Said” to those that appreciate a suspenseful atmosphere, unreliable narrators, and readers who have enjoyed Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena books.
Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Lara Finch delivered a gripping debut! “What The Nanny Said” centered on the lives of mother and daughter, Lucy and Evie. Lucy, who was struggling with stress and paranoia. She hired Taylor, a beautiful and seemingly ideal nanny for Evie. However, Lucy soon became appalled by Taylor’s increasingly possessive behavior, and so it appeared, Taylor wanted more than just the job, she wanted Lucy’s life.
I appreciated how Finch narrated this story through alternating timelines between the past and present as well as telling the story through Evie, Lucy, and Taylor’s perspectives. This dialogue built a gradual sense of unease and had me guessing throughout. I also appreciated the complex characters Finch fabricated. As a mother myself, I found Lucy’s character the most relatable. Lucy was a privileged and fragile mother. She struggled with postnatal anxiety, marital tension, and a growing sense that she was losing control. Contrary to Lucy, Taylor was the abstruse nanny who appeared to be the “ideal nanny”. She was calm, efficient and nurturing. And lastly there was Evie. She was the unsettled daughter. Evie was guarded, introspective and determined to uncover the truth about her family when she was older. I loved how these women’s lives intertwined in a gradually unearthing of the devastating effects of deception, obsession, and identity theft. It was engaging. All three were bound by secrets — but only one of them knew the full story, and it was up to Evie to untangle it.
Along with the elaborate characters, gripping themes were comprised. The ones that stood out the most to me were identity & self deception, obsession & control, and motherhood & protection. Each of these themes lead to the salient question of this story-“What happens when the roles of mother, child, and stranger are blurred beyond recognition?”
Aside from the elements I appreciated, there were a couple that I didn’t care for. Most of this story was fast paced with the exception of the middle portion, and perhaps that was because some of the plot elements seemed a bit far fetched. Moreover, Finch left the story with an unresolved ending. The ending was quiet but lingered on a haunting note. Does this mean there will be a sequel? I guess we will have to wait to find out.
As a lover of psychological thrillers and debut authors, I’m so happy to have found a new voice in the psychological thriller-mystery genre. Lara Finch delivered a chilling twisted tale that was filled with obsession, buried secrets, and blurred identities. I recommend “What the Nanny Said” to those that appreciate a suspenseful atmosphere, unreliable narrators, and readers who have enjoyed Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena books.
Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 17, 2025
ARC REVIEW - 4/5 STARS
WHAT THE NANNY SAID by Lara Finch
OUT NOW!
Storm Publishing - 325 Pages
I’ll be real, this debut starts out a bit slow and could use some trimming. But if you hang in there, it’s worth it. Lucy is a new mom wrestling with postpartum depression and a husband who seems to have mastered the art of disappearing when she needs him. Then Lucy meets Taylor, whom she thinks is the perfect solution. Taylor is young, magnetic, and almost too good to be true. She sweeps in to help with baby Evie, and at first, it’s all sunshine. Spoiler alert: Taylor’s charm is matched by her manipulative streak. If you’ve ever wondered what could possibly go wrong when you hire an attractive nanny, buckle up.
The first half does take its sweet time, but when the plot finally kicks into gear, it’s a wild ride. It’s an emotional thriller with a cast of morally questionable characters, messy friendships, and enough twists to keep you flipping pages past bedtime. Lara Finch is definitely one to watch. In my opinion, this could’ve easily been a five-star read with a little more editorial TLC, but I’m still looking forward to whatever she dreams up next!
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for providing this #giftedARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
WHAT THE NANNY SAID by Lara Finch
OUT NOW!
Storm Publishing - 325 Pages
I’ll be real, this debut starts out a bit slow and could use some trimming. But if you hang in there, it’s worth it. Lucy is a new mom wrestling with postpartum depression and a husband who seems to have mastered the art of disappearing when she needs him. Then Lucy meets Taylor, whom she thinks is the perfect solution. Taylor is young, magnetic, and almost too good to be true. She sweeps in to help with baby Evie, and at first, it’s all sunshine. Spoiler alert: Taylor’s charm is matched by her manipulative streak. If you’ve ever wondered what could possibly go wrong when you hire an attractive nanny, buckle up.
The first half does take its sweet time, but when the plot finally kicks into gear, it’s a wild ride. It’s an emotional thriller with a cast of morally questionable characters, messy friendships, and enough twists to keep you flipping pages past bedtime. Lara Finch is definitely one to watch. In my opinion, this could’ve easily been a five-star read with a little more editorial TLC, but I’m still looking forward to whatever she dreams up next!
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for providing this #giftedARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 29, 2025
What The Nanny Said by Lara Finch, when the book starts we meet Mia and Evie who live in Mexico Mia is Evie‘s mom and they’re very close soon after we meet her Mia passes away. her death devastates Evie but when she finds a letter telling her why an English girl spent her life growing up in Mexico. she is left confused and wanting answers and soon finds herself heading to England. In the second POV we meet Lucy she’s a lonely housewife of a roving reporter for the BBC and is left at home with her young daughter quite often. So when she meets a very sweet and nice girl named Taylor Love, Lucy is excited to befriend her. they become close and Taylor soon becomes the nanny for Lucy and Sam but soon Taylor’s closeness infringes on intervening and it will eventually throw Lucy‘s life into chaos. at first all Evie knows is her name and the more she learns the more she wishes she would’ve stopped there. Was Mia her mom and if not who was and where is her dad Sam, who she never met. This was such a great well put together thriller. i’m going to be honest and say I thought I knew how it was going to end and despite thinking I knew the ending I still could not put this book down it was so good and I only hope we get to see a second book with EV getting all the answers and the perpetrator getting what’s coming to them. This was a great book it was so good I even signed up for the authors newsletter because I definitely want to read more by her in the future. It’s definitely one I recommend. #NetGalley, #StormPublishing, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#LaraFinch, #WhatTheNannySaid,
June 22, 2025
This had all the potential of a great psychological thriller:
A toxic relationship ✅
A devious young person ✅
Troubled pasts ✅
Blackmail ✅
Murder ✅
Suspense ✅
Sadly, it was let down slightly by the pace, which was woefully slow. My patience, however, was rewarded in the final third, thankfully.
The story is told over two timelines, 1999 and present day.
With the exception of Evie, none of the characters are likeable, but this is actually a positive. The nastier their behaviour, the more I wanted to read on. 🗡
So there you have it folks, a slow burn psychological thriller, crammed with tension, suspense and toxicity. 🗡
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
A toxic relationship ✅
A devious young person ✅
Troubled pasts ✅
Blackmail ✅
Murder ✅
Suspense ✅
Sadly, it was let down slightly by the pace, which was woefully slow. My patience, however, was rewarded in the final third, thankfully.
The story is told over two timelines, 1999 and present day.
With the exception of Evie, none of the characters are likeable, but this is actually a positive. The nastier their behaviour, the more I wanted to read on. 🗡
So there you have it folks, a slow burn psychological thriller, crammed with tension, suspense and toxicity. 🗡
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
September 22, 2025
This book truly kept me gripped the whole time! Definitely for fans of Lisa Jewell as there is the same vibe with the disturbed characters that you can’t make sense of but also find super intriguing!
Truly a mystery and I love how it played out in current day as Evie tries to make sense of her past and we go back to see how all of the events unfolded. I really loved this one!
Truly a mystery and I love how it played out in current day as Evie tries to make sense of her past and we go back to see how all of the events unfolded. I really loved this one!
June 16, 2025
Lucy is a young mother and wife. She's struggling mentally, and her husband isn't exactly someone she can rely on. One day, she meets Taylor, who offers her support and help. She’s a saving angel in every way – but do angels even exist? Before you know it, you might have invited the devil into your home instead...
The author carefully builds the budding friendship between the two women, which means the book starts off at a rather slow pace. More and more details are gradually revealed, but you do find yourself wishing for a pedal to push things forward a bit faster.
At that point, I also strongly felt that everything was already quite clear, and I wondered what more there was left to be surprised by in the following pages.
BUT...
Patience always pays off – and suddenly I was caught in a whirlwind and kaboom!
Forget everything you thought you knew and focus on what’s now being laid out in front of you. You’ll enjoy it, just like I did.
The story shifts between past and present – a narrative device I always deeply appreciate.
The author has created an extremely clever and cunning manipulator, someone who has covered all bases and corners their victims with no way out.
Maybe, like me, you’ll be lulled into a false sense of calm at the start, but trust me: as the story evolves, you’ll be shaken wide awake.
Brilliantly constructed, with a serious "I’ll-confuse-the-reader-just-to-blow-them-away-with-the-ending" vibe. 5 stars.
Thank you.
The author carefully builds the budding friendship between the two women, which means the book starts off at a rather slow pace. More and more details are gradually revealed, but you do find yourself wishing for a pedal to push things forward a bit faster.
At that point, I also strongly felt that everything was already quite clear, and I wondered what more there was left to be surprised by in the following pages.
BUT...
Patience always pays off – and suddenly I was caught in a whirlwind and kaboom!
Forget everything you thought you knew and focus on what’s now being laid out in front of you. You’ll enjoy it, just like I did.
The story shifts between past and present – a narrative device I always deeply appreciate.
The author has created an extremely clever and cunning manipulator, someone who has covered all bases and corners their victims with no way out.
Maybe, like me, you’ll be lulled into a false sense of calm at the start, but trust me: as the story evolves, you’ll be shaken wide awake.
Brilliantly constructed, with a serious "I’ll-confuse-the-reader-just-to-blow-them-away-with-the-ending" vibe. 5 stars.
Thank you.
July 9, 2025
What The Nanny Said
by Lara Finch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the death of her mother, Evie makes a shocking discovery—her mother, Lucy, was actually murdered twenty years ago. Determined to uncover the truth, Evie sets off on a journey that unearths long-buried secrets. The story alternates between Evie’s search for answers and Lucy’s life in the weeks leading up to the murder, beginning with her hiring of a new nanny, Taylor—a decision that changes everything.
This dual timeline had me hooked. I found myself questioning everyone’s motives: Was Lucy truly the fragile, wronged wife she claimed to be, or was there more behind her jealousy and unraveling marriage? And Taylor, what was really going on with her? Was she the caring nanny she appeared to be, or was something darker lurking beneath the surface?
The character work in this book was top-notch. I loved how layered Lucy and Taylor were—and even the side characters like Rachel and Melody felt fully fleshed out. The interviews did feel a bit rushed or clustered in a few spots, but that didn’t take away from the overall impact for me.
This was an addictive, twisty read that kept me guessing right to the end. If you're a fan of dual timelines, unreliable narrators, and domestic suspense with bite, What The Nanny Said belongs on your TBR.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this early. It hits shelves on July 16th, and I highly recommend grabbing a copy!
#BookReview #WhatTheNannySaid #LaraFinch #NetGalleyReads #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #BookRecommendation #NewRelease #BooktrovertInVT #SpookyReads #BookLover #UnreliableNarrator #DualTimelineThriller
by Lara Finch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the death of her mother, Evie makes a shocking discovery—her mother, Lucy, was actually murdered twenty years ago. Determined to uncover the truth, Evie sets off on a journey that unearths long-buried secrets. The story alternates between Evie’s search for answers and Lucy’s life in the weeks leading up to the murder, beginning with her hiring of a new nanny, Taylor—a decision that changes everything.
This dual timeline had me hooked. I found myself questioning everyone’s motives: Was Lucy truly the fragile, wronged wife she claimed to be, or was there more behind her jealousy and unraveling marriage? And Taylor, what was really going on with her? Was she the caring nanny she appeared to be, or was something darker lurking beneath the surface?
The character work in this book was top-notch. I loved how layered Lucy and Taylor were—and even the side characters like Rachel and Melody felt fully fleshed out. The interviews did feel a bit rushed or clustered in a few spots, but that didn’t take away from the overall impact for me.
This was an addictive, twisty read that kept me guessing right to the end. If you're a fan of dual timelines, unreliable narrators, and domestic suspense with bite, What The Nanny Said belongs on your TBR.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this early. It hits shelves on July 16th, and I highly recommend grabbing a copy!
#BookReview #WhatTheNannySaid #LaraFinch #NetGalleyReads #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #BookRecommendation #NewRelease #BooktrovertInVT #SpookyReads #BookLover #UnreliableNarrator #DualTimelineThriller
July 16, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is a dual timeline story.
We follow Evie and her mother Mia living in Mexico. When Mia sadly passes away, Evie discovers that her real mom was Lucy, who lived and was murdered in England. Evie is left behind, all confused and wondering why Mia never told her about any of this. Evie finds herself heading to England to search for answers: Who was her dad, the one Mia never spoke about and whom Evie has never met in her life? Was Mia really her real mother? If not, who was she?
The second POV we follow is of Lucy’s life up until the murder. Lucy is a stay-at-home mom and married to Sam, who has a busy career at the BBC. Lucy is very lonely until she befriends Taylor, who soon becomes the nanny of the family as Lucy takes on a part-time job. What Lucy does not know is that her new friend and nanny will throw her life into absolute chaos!
My thoughts:
This dual timeline story is such a well-put thriller. The 2 stories lining up together made it a very fun read. There were a couple of good twists and turns, ones you do not see coming. Lucy was such a good and strong character in this book, I felt for her - how her life went into complete chaos! The ending makes me hope for a second book, because all I can think of now is what is Evie going to do?!
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this amazing ARC!
This is a dual timeline story.
We follow Evie and her mother Mia living in Mexico. When Mia sadly passes away, Evie discovers that her real mom was Lucy, who lived and was murdered in England. Evie is left behind, all confused and wondering why Mia never told her about any of this. Evie finds herself heading to England to search for answers: Who was her dad, the one Mia never spoke about and whom Evie has never met in her life? Was Mia really her real mother? If not, who was she?
The second POV we follow is of Lucy’s life up until the murder. Lucy is a stay-at-home mom and married to Sam, who has a busy career at the BBC. Lucy is very lonely until she befriends Taylor, who soon becomes the nanny of the family as Lucy takes on a part-time job. What Lucy does not know is that her new friend and nanny will throw her life into absolute chaos!
My thoughts:
This dual timeline story is such a well-put thriller. The 2 stories lining up together made it a very fun read. There were a couple of good twists and turns, ones you do not see coming. Lucy was such a good and strong character in this book, I felt for her - how her life went into complete chaos! The ending makes me hope for a second book, because all I can think of now is what is Evie going to do?!
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this amazing ARC!
July 30, 2025
It was interesting to see the different viewpoints of the characters in this book which really changed in tone everyone's actions. Because although Lucy seemed very innocent in all the situations, she had her own secrets and dark deeds and definitely was an unreliable narrator, along with Taylor and so the truth was quite murky at times. Nobody was clean, except for Evie and I am super glad that she did not remember that crazy year in her young childhood when Taylor, the nanny showed up.
It is very obvious from the beginning that Taylor has her own agenda when she worms her way into Sam and Lucy's life. Jumping from the present with Evie on the hunt for why Mia had taken her away after the terrible murder and disappearance of her parents to the events as they happened and then interspersed with Taylor's police interrogation (which is totally of the wall wild) of those events. It was hard to put this book down because there were so many twists, dark happenings, and I just had to find out what really happened and why Evie ended up in Mexico with Mia so long ago.
So, in summary it is a good thriller with lots of twists, a few dead bodies, lies and secrets, unreliable narrators and quite a mystery to puzzle out. It was fun to read.
It is very obvious from the beginning that Taylor has her own agenda when she worms her way into Sam and Lucy's life. Jumping from the present with Evie on the hunt for why Mia had taken her away after the terrible murder and disappearance of her parents to the events as they happened and then interspersed with Taylor's police interrogation (which is totally of the wall wild) of those events. It was hard to put this book down because there were so many twists, dark happenings, and I just had to find out what really happened and why Evie ended up in Mexico with Mia so long ago.
So, in summary it is a good thriller with lots of twists, a few dead bodies, lies and secrets, unreliable narrators and quite a mystery to puzzle out. It was fun to read.
August 22, 2025
I have to admit the first thing that drew me to this book was the stunning cover! Then the blurb sounded like this would be the kind of book I would enjoy so I was happy when my request to read it was accepted.
There were quite a few things I liked about this book.
First off I really liked the setting of Little Venice in London, a place I have heard about and am familiar with.
I liked the dual timelines and the different POVs we got in the story, this helped add some depth to the plot. I also did enjoy reading about Lucy and Taylors friendship, which I found to be engaging and interesting throughout.
However I did find the writing style to be quite cold, stilted and a little basic.
I also did think it was a little slow and too long for my taste.
The plot itself didn't have any twists or surprises for me which was disappointing.
I also wasn't a fan of the ending, which did feel a bit of a let down.
Overall this wasn't a bad book by any means but it wasn't anything special.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
There were quite a few things I liked about this book.
First off I really liked the setting of Little Venice in London, a place I have heard about and am familiar with.
I liked the dual timelines and the different POVs we got in the story, this helped add some depth to the plot. I also did enjoy reading about Lucy and Taylors friendship, which I found to be engaging and interesting throughout.
However I did find the writing style to be quite cold, stilted and a little basic.
I also did think it was a little slow and too long for my taste.
The plot itself didn't have any twists or surprises for me which was disappointing.
I also wasn't a fan of the ending, which did feel a bit of a let down.
Overall this wasn't a bad book by any means but it wasn't anything special.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
July 17, 2025
What The Nanny Said is a gritty, insane read that will have your mouth on the floor. And the end was so good!
Lucy loves her baby girl, Evie. She meets Taylor and quickly becomes attached to her. Taylor is the perfect friend and nanny. Evie loves Taylor, but Lucy doesn't seem to be taking Taylor in as she should be. Weird things start to happen that are meant to drive Lucy insane. Her husband seems to think that Lucy may harm Evie. Fast forward many years, and Evie's mom dies. Evie finds out that her mom Mia may not be her mother and that her mother Lucy was killed by Evie's dad. Are you hooked yet??
This was such a fast read for me. It was fast-paced, dark, and disturbed. Taylor was too good to be true, and I was right.
Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing. All opinions are entirely my own.
Lucy loves her baby girl, Evie. She meets Taylor and quickly becomes attached to her. Taylor is the perfect friend and nanny. Evie loves Taylor, but Lucy doesn't seem to be taking Taylor in as she should be. Weird things start to happen that are meant to drive Lucy insane. Her husband seems to think that Lucy may harm Evie. Fast forward many years, and Evie's mom dies. Evie finds out that her mom Mia may not be her mother and that her mother Lucy was killed by Evie's dad. Are you hooked yet??
This was such a fast read for me. It was fast-paced, dark, and disturbed. Taylor was too good to be true, and I was right.
Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing. All opinions are entirely my own.
July 10, 2025
Incredible!! This is an edge of your seat, page turning psychological thriller and I 100% recommend picking it up and reading it right away! This is my first book by Lara Finch and I’m looking forward to the next one! This is about a nanny that likes to play games. Set in London, a stay at home mom makes a new friend. Little does she know she will soon regret bringing her into their lives and their home. Great twists and turns that keeps you turning pages to see what happens next. It jumps around from different timelines but I found it very easy to follow. I’m a little sad that I’m done with this one. READ IT!!!
Thank you so much to Storm Publishing for sending me this eARC. As well as NetGalley and of course Lara Finch!
Thank you so much to Storm Publishing for sending me this eARC. As well as NetGalley and of course Lara Finch!
June 18, 2025
This was a good book, a chilling story about the nanny, but the twist at the end was great. Lucy is a mum, with her husband out at work all day, she’s feeling stressed. When she starts talking to Taylor her dreams might have come true, she can become a nanny to her daughter. This was a twisty, psychological thriller that will leave you wondering how low people can go. A great 4.5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
June 19, 2025
If you are looking for a novel that is filled with backstabbing, false friendship, and family then this is the novel for you. It is also a dual timeline story which takes place modern day with the other plot going back to the late 90's. Overall this was a very impressive novel. I will admit there were times it was a little much but I lucked it.
In modern day we are introduced to Evie who is living in Mexico. Her mother has recently died and while goibg through her stuff ahe comes across some old newspaper from the 90's about a murder in England where the girl who disappeared bot only had the same name as her but was also the same age. Realizing that there were some things that her mother was never honest to her about she decides to investigate for herself.
In England during the late 90's we are introduced to Lucy and her young daughter Evie. Lucy loves her daughter but her mental health issues cause her to become paranoid. She ends up meeting a girl named Taylor and the two hit it off with Taylor becoming a nanny for Evie. However, within time Lucy starts to become increasingly paranoid that Taylor wants to steal her life.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
In modern day we are introduced to Evie who is living in Mexico. Her mother has recently died and while goibg through her stuff ahe comes across some old newspaper from the 90's about a murder in England where the girl who disappeared bot only had the same name as her but was also the same age. Realizing that there were some things that her mother was never honest to her about she decides to investigate for herself.
In England during the late 90's we are introduced to Lucy and her young daughter Evie. Lucy loves her daughter but her mental health issues cause her to become paranoid. She ends up meeting a girl named Taylor and the two hit it off with Taylor becoming a nanny for Evie. However, within time Lucy starts to become increasingly paranoid that Taylor wants to steal her life.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
January 1, 2026
This was great! I was engrossed and had a hard time putting this down. The ending was good and wasn't expected.I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy eerie thrillers! Special Thank You to Lara Finch, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2025
found this book very engaging. The story and characters kept me coming back for more. Although, I couldn't put it down after I got through the first few chapters, that is. The author had to set the story up in the first few chapters and I found that it didn't move as quickly as I would have liked, but after that it moved and flowed quite smoothly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book before the world did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book before the world did.
June 18, 2025
What the Nanny Said is a story that is told in dual timelines and multiple POV's. You've got Lucy who is raising her daughter Evie. She tends to lean on her valium when things get rough. Taylor is the young woman that she befriended who then became Evie's nanny. Lucy and Taylor start as friends and then things start going terribly wrong and it seems that Taylor is trying to take Lucy's place.
What the Nanny Said was fast paced and a one sitting read for me because I HAD to know what was going on. This was the first book I've read in awhile that I had absolutely no clue how it was going to wrap up! You've got Lucy's version of things and you've got Taylor's version of things and the two are nowhere near the same. Who are you supposed to believe?? The author did a great job of keeping things interesting and keeping you guessing. I would feel fairly confident in saying that there will be a sequel to this one and I would 100% read it!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
What the Nanny Said was fast paced and a one sitting read for me because I HAD to know what was going on. This was the first book I've read in awhile that I had absolutely no clue how it was going to wrap up! You've got Lucy's version of things and you've got Taylor's version of things and the two are nowhere near the same. Who are you supposed to believe?? The author did a great job of keeping things interesting and keeping you guessing. I would feel fairly confident in saying that there will be a sequel to this one and I would 100% read it!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2025
For a book I had never heard of, this was pretty freaking good. I love trying out random books and then having them surprise me in totally awesome ways!
August 24, 2025
I love unreliable narrator books where you are kept guessing. This mostly did this in a way that kept my interest but the book finished with such a fizzle that I took off a star for that.
September 27, 2025
an enjoyable psychological thriller
July 2, 2025
3.5
I snuggled up with Lara Finch's What the Nanny Said and a cup of tea, eager for a psychological thriller to envelop me in its snare of secrets. Located in the charming canals of Little Venice, London, the novel follows Lucy, a mother attempting to deal with the vagaries of caring for her daughter, Evie, while her journalist husband is working most of the time. When Taylor, a sleek and so-called perfect nanny, enters Lucy's life, she's a lifesaver, but her perfection might hide darker ambitions. This story is a maze of doubt, manipulation, and hidden truths, with a plot that promises suspense.
What most impressed me in What the Nanny Said was the clever use of untrustworthy narrators. Every character seems to be concealing the truth from themselves or someone else. It's a lusciously dark tone, just like in None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell, where I was questioning motives step for step. The elements of motherhood, delusion, and control are skilfully woven together, and add depth to the story. I kept questioning how far we'll go to maintain our sense of self, or how obsession can destroy even the most maternal of urges.
All that being said, I struggled with Taylor’s characterization. She’s portrayed as almost too clever, too resourceful, a near-superhuman manipulator. This made her less plausible and took me out of the story at times. Unlike the nuanced characters in What Lies Between Us by John Marrs, Taylor’s cunning sometimes felt exaggerated, bordering on caricature.
The writing is engaging, though I did find that there were a couple of stumbling transitions between present and past timelines that pulled me out of the scene. It's a minor complaint, but one that leapt out at me. The pace is fast, with brief chapters that kept me furiously tearing through pages to untangle the next thread of deception. I found myself thinking this book is just like a Sunday night TV movie kind of thing: not mind-blowing, but so delightful to snuggle up with, flaws and all.
The standout element, for me, was the motherhood and protection theme. Finch did an amazing job at showing the gut-wrenching vulnerability of parenting, the shame, the terror of failing your child. Lucy's internal conflict was achingly relatable, and it made her a fantastic anchor through the constant twists in the thriller.
I recommend What the Nanny Said to fans of domestic drama psychological thrillers with a touch of suspense, like The Couple Next Door or The Turn of the Key. It's a perfect fit for anyone who likes unreliable narrators and don't mind a villain who is a little too much. If you're looking for a quick, absorbing book that delves into the complexities of family and loyalty, this book will be ideal for you.
I would like to thank Lara Finch, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
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I snuggled up with Lara Finch's What the Nanny Said and a cup of tea, eager for a psychological thriller to envelop me in its snare of secrets. Located in the charming canals of Little Venice, London, the novel follows Lucy, a mother attempting to deal with the vagaries of caring for her daughter, Evie, while her journalist husband is working most of the time. When Taylor, a sleek and so-called perfect nanny, enters Lucy's life, she's a lifesaver, but her perfection might hide darker ambitions. This story is a maze of doubt, manipulation, and hidden truths, with a plot that promises suspense.
What most impressed me in What the Nanny Said was the clever use of untrustworthy narrators. Every character seems to be concealing the truth from themselves or someone else. It's a lusciously dark tone, just like in None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell, where I was questioning motives step for step. The elements of motherhood, delusion, and control are skilfully woven together, and add depth to the story. I kept questioning how far we'll go to maintain our sense of self, or how obsession can destroy even the most maternal of urges.
All that being said, I struggled with Taylor’s characterization. She’s portrayed as almost too clever, too resourceful, a near-superhuman manipulator. This made her less plausible and took me out of the story at times. Unlike the nuanced characters in What Lies Between Us by John Marrs, Taylor’s cunning sometimes felt exaggerated, bordering on caricature.
The writing is engaging, though I did find that there were a couple of stumbling transitions between present and past timelines that pulled me out of the scene. It's a minor complaint, but one that leapt out at me. The pace is fast, with brief chapters that kept me furiously tearing through pages to untangle the next thread of deception. I found myself thinking this book is just like a Sunday night TV movie kind of thing: not mind-blowing, but so delightful to snuggle up with, flaws and all.
The standout element, for me, was the motherhood and protection theme. Finch did an amazing job at showing the gut-wrenching vulnerability of parenting, the shame, the terror of failing your child. Lucy's internal conflict was achingly relatable, and it made her a fantastic anchor through the constant twists in the thriller.
I recommend What the Nanny Said to fans of domestic drama psychological thrillers with a touch of suspense, like The Couple Next Door or The Turn of the Key. It's a perfect fit for anyone who likes unreliable narrators and don't mind a villain who is a little too much. If you're looking for a quick, absorbing book that delves into the complexities of family and loyalty, this book will be ideal for you.
I would like to thank Lara Finch, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
BLOG | FOLLOW ME on Goodreads | HIRE ME as your Beta Reader | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
July 16, 2025
This was... interesting I'll say.
It was a slow start, and it took me a bit to get into, but once it started to get interesting, it could keep my attention. The story itself was interesting and the twists were good, though some points were just unnecessary. Like,
There were a few phrases here and there that didn't make sense to me personally, or words were added/omitted that made it a little confusing to read at times. Though it didn't hinder the overall reading experience I'd say.
The only thing that I actually could not stand in the book was Antonio. I don't know if were meant to dislike him, or if we are supposed to think he is simply a goofy puppy dog character who means well but can mess up in the moment. No idea, but I hated him and honestly I think he added nothing to the story.
I also was not the biggest fan of
The part that I am unsure about, accuracy wise, was
Overall, I would probably recommend this book, but it isn't one of my favorites.
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
It was a slow start, and it took me a bit to get into, but once it started to get interesting, it could keep my attention. The story itself was interesting and the twists were good, though some points were just unnecessary. Like,
There were a few phrases here and there that didn't make sense to me personally, or words were added/omitted that made it a little confusing to read at times. Though it didn't hinder the overall reading experience I'd say.
The only thing that I actually could not stand in the book was Antonio. I don't know if were meant to dislike him, or if we are supposed to think he is simply a goofy puppy dog character who means well but can mess up in the moment. No idea, but I hated him and honestly I think he added nothing to the story.
I also was not the biggest fan of
The part that I am unsure about, accuracy wise, was
Overall, I would probably recommend this book, but it isn't one of my favorites.
*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
August 5, 2025
|:: What the Nanny Said
By Lara Finch
Chapter Three Page 21
September 1999
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
{ TL - Lucy and I became friends, and I started helping out with her daughter, Evie. It went from there.
AR - You didn't know Sam or Lucy before Spring this year?
TL - Correct.
AR - Can you tell us how you came to know them?
TL - Sure. It started in the spring, like you said. I was in the communal garden one day. Back then I was living on Sanderson Road. Anyhow, I spotted Lucy and Evie, and Lucy looked incredibly weird - like she shouldn't be in charge of a small child.
AR - What do you mean by that?
TL- She wasn't steady on her legs for a start. }
For Lucy, Sam, and their daughter Evie, life is going by slowly. Lucy is a pampered, well-looked-after stay-at-home mom; Sam is the forever-doting husband providing for their family; and Evie is a happy child in the safety of her two adoring parents.
However, not everything is as it seems. In the privacy of their home, things are starting to crack. It's as if a guardian angel has come into their lives in the form of Taylor Love. Young, beautiful, and friendly, Taylor clicks with Evie from the moment she sees her and seems to be the answer to all of their problems.
But Lucy isn't the woman she used to be. Taylor helps her remember her passion for life and her work ethic, while Sam starts acting a little bit strangely. The only one who seems perfectly happy is Evie, especially when Taylor is around. So when Evie starts to become ill in random bouts of sickness, things take a very ugly turn.
Navigating the murky waters of Lucy and Sam's ever-growing hostile relationship, the only person who seems to know the truth about what is going on is Melody. She is the only one Lucy can confide in, so why is she choosing not to say anything?
Twenty years later, a girl comes looking for a past—a past that could be hers. But why is she holding back?
This book had me gripped from the beginning. The author laid it out beautifully in a mix of information, a process that I never saw coming. It was clever in the way it concentrated on each character, revealing flaws and weaknesses that could have been a hint of what was to come.
It left me hanging on to every word, and now that it's finished, it has left me with so many more questions! I enjoyed reading this book immensely. The only one who had my sympathy was Lucy and how she came to her end.
What a beautiful, insightful and fantastically thriller of a book!
A huge thank you to Lara Finch, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|
By Lara Finch
Chapter Three Page 21
September 1999
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
{ TL - Lucy and I became friends, and I started helping out with her daughter, Evie. It went from there.
AR - You didn't know Sam or Lucy before Spring this year?
TL - Correct.
AR - Can you tell us how you came to know them?
TL - Sure. It started in the spring, like you said. I was in the communal garden one day. Back then I was living on Sanderson Road. Anyhow, I spotted Lucy and Evie, and Lucy looked incredibly weird - like she shouldn't be in charge of a small child.
AR - What do you mean by that?
TL- She wasn't steady on her legs for a start. }
For Lucy, Sam, and their daughter Evie, life is going by slowly. Lucy is a pampered, well-looked-after stay-at-home mom; Sam is the forever-doting husband providing for their family; and Evie is a happy child in the safety of her two adoring parents.
However, not everything is as it seems. In the privacy of their home, things are starting to crack. It's as if a guardian angel has come into their lives in the form of Taylor Love. Young, beautiful, and friendly, Taylor clicks with Evie from the moment she sees her and seems to be the answer to all of their problems.
But Lucy isn't the woman she used to be. Taylor helps her remember her passion for life and her work ethic, while Sam starts acting a little bit strangely. The only one who seems perfectly happy is Evie, especially when Taylor is around. So when Evie starts to become ill in random bouts of sickness, things take a very ugly turn.
Navigating the murky waters of Lucy and Sam's ever-growing hostile relationship, the only person who seems to know the truth about what is going on is Melody. She is the only one Lucy can confide in, so why is she choosing not to say anything?
Twenty years later, a girl comes looking for a past—a past that could be hers. But why is she holding back?
This book had me gripped from the beginning. The author laid it out beautifully in a mix of information, a process that I never saw coming. It was clever in the way it concentrated on each character, revealing flaws and weaknesses that could have been a hint of what was to come.
It left me hanging on to every word, and now that it's finished, it has left me with so many more questions! I enjoyed reading this book immensely. The only one who had my sympathy was Lucy and how she came to her end.
What a beautiful, insightful and fantastically thriller of a book!
A huge thank you to Lara Finch, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|
November 9, 2025
📚What The Nanny Said
✍🏻Lara Finch
Blurb:
In an elegant house in Little Venice, London, a young mother is quietly going out of her mind. When a charming nanny arrives to help care for her little girl Evie, she seems like salvation – beautiful, capable, devoted to the child.
But the nanny wants more than just a job. She wants everything.
Twenty-five years later, Evie discovers newspaper clippings hidden among her dead mother’s belongings – stories about a murdered woman and her missing daughter who shares Evie’s exact name and birthday. Following the trail back to the place that was once her home, she’ll uncover a story of manipulation, obsession, and a mother’s impossible choice. Some secrets are buried out of love. Others are buried because the truth is too dangerous to tell.
My Thoughts:
This book had all the right elements for a twisty domestic thriller—an overwhelmed young mother, a seemingly perfect nanny, and a trail of secrets, lies, and bodies—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
The story follows Lucy, a new mom struggling with postpartum depression and a partner who isn’t exactly supportive. When Taylor, a dream nanny, enters the picture, it seems like help has finally arrived. But things quickly spiral as trust is broken,lies are told, and the danger creeps closer to home. With people ending up murdered and others go missing. t is very obvious from the beginning that Taylor has her own agenda when she worms her way into Sam and Lucy's life. Jumping from the present with Evie on the hunt for why Mia had taken her away after the terrible murder and disappearance of her parents to the events as they happened and then interspersed with Taylor's police interrogation (which is totally of the wall wild) of those events. It was hard to put this book down because there were so many twists, dark happenings, and I just had to find out what really happened and why Evie ended up in Mexico with Mia so long ago.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Pedophilia, Rape
Thanks NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Author Lara Finch for the complimentary copy of "What The Nanny Said" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#StormPublishing
#LaraFinch
#WhatTheNannySaid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Lara Finch
Blurb:
In an elegant house in Little Venice, London, a young mother is quietly going out of her mind. When a charming nanny arrives to help care for her little girl Evie, she seems like salvation – beautiful, capable, devoted to the child.
But the nanny wants more than just a job. She wants everything.
Twenty-five years later, Evie discovers newspaper clippings hidden among her dead mother’s belongings – stories about a murdered woman and her missing daughter who shares Evie’s exact name and birthday. Following the trail back to the place that was once her home, she’ll uncover a story of manipulation, obsession, and a mother’s impossible choice. Some secrets are buried out of love. Others are buried because the truth is too dangerous to tell.
My Thoughts:
This book had all the right elements for a twisty domestic thriller—an overwhelmed young mother, a seemingly perfect nanny, and a trail of secrets, lies, and bodies—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
The story follows Lucy, a new mom struggling with postpartum depression and a partner who isn’t exactly supportive. When Taylor, a dream nanny, enters the picture, it seems like help has finally arrived. But things quickly spiral as trust is broken,lies are told, and the danger creeps closer to home. With people ending up murdered and others go missing. t is very obvious from the beginning that Taylor has her own agenda when she worms her way into Sam and Lucy's life. Jumping from the present with Evie on the hunt for why Mia had taken her away after the terrible murder and disappearance of her parents to the events as they happened and then interspersed with Taylor's police interrogation (which is totally of the wall wild) of those events. It was hard to put this book down because there were so many twists, dark happenings, and I just had to find out what really happened and why Evie ended up in Mexico with Mia so long ago.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Pedophilia, Rape
Thanks NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Author Lara Finch for the complimentary copy of "What The Nanny Said" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#StormPublishing
#LaraFinch
#WhatTheNannySaid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 22, 2025
Well this was an unexpected, twisty, puzzling entertaining read!
Evie is living in Mexico, and one day goes to visit her mother. As she is there, her mother suffers from an aneurism and dies. While cleaning out her mother's closet, Evie discovers several newspaper article from 25 years ago about the murder/disappearance of a mother, father and their young 3 year old daughter named Evie. More searching has Evie discovering passports and information that makes her realize that she is that little girl, and her mother might not be her biological mother. Twice devastated- by the loss of the woman she knows and loves as her "mother", and the shocking discovery that her life may not be real, Evie decides to travel to the neighborhood of Little Venice in London where it all happened. She is looking for answers!
This is a very fast paced, draw you right in kind of story. It is a psychological thriller, with a mystery and a head puzzler thrown in! It is told between 3 POV's: Evie, Lucy and Taylor (with the last two narratives taking place in the past). Evie is struggling with anxiety, depression and self confidence. One day at the park, she and Evie (her young daughter) meet Taylor. Taylor is enigmatic, beautiful, magnetic. The two women become friends, and eventually Taylor becomes the nanny for Lucy and her BCC journalist husband, Sam.
The POV's from Lucy and Taylor demonstrate that both of these characters are unreliable narrators. The question is- which one is manipulating the truth- or is someone else driving the narrative? Lucy comes across as paranoid and submissive. Taylor seems very empathetic and kind, but soon cracks can be seen in her character. Sam seems charming at first- but soon he is revealed to be narcissistic, controlling and vile.
There are so many variations of what really happened. At first, I thought I knew exactly what was happening. However, as more info was revealed, I realized that each narrative held elements of the truth. This is a twisty, puzzling story. I could not stop turning the pages and stayed up way too late reading (probably because I thought I needed a Dr. Pepper at 9pm!!🤣🤪). It is hard to write this review, because I do not want to give any hints of spoilers!!
This is an impressive debut, and I look forward to reading more from Lara Finch!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Evie is living in Mexico, and one day goes to visit her mother. As she is there, her mother suffers from an aneurism and dies. While cleaning out her mother's closet, Evie discovers several newspaper article from 25 years ago about the murder/disappearance of a mother, father and their young 3 year old daughter named Evie. More searching has Evie discovering passports and information that makes her realize that she is that little girl, and her mother might not be her biological mother. Twice devastated- by the loss of the woman she knows and loves as her "mother", and the shocking discovery that her life may not be real, Evie decides to travel to the neighborhood of Little Venice in London where it all happened. She is looking for answers!
This is a very fast paced, draw you right in kind of story. It is a psychological thriller, with a mystery and a head puzzler thrown in! It is told between 3 POV's: Evie, Lucy and Taylor (with the last two narratives taking place in the past). Evie is struggling with anxiety, depression and self confidence. One day at the park, she and Evie (her young daughter) meet Taylor. Taylor is enigmatic, beautiful, magnetic. The two women become friends, and eventually Taylor becomes the nanny for Lucy and her BCC journalist husband, Sam.
The POV's from Lucy and Taylor demonstrate that both of these characters are unreliable narrators. The question is- which one is manipulating the truth- or is someone else driving the narrative? Lucy comes across as paranoid and submissive. Taylor seems very empathetic and kind, but soon cracks can be seen in her character. Sam seems charming at first- but soon he is revealed to be narcissistic, controlling and vile.
There are so many variations of what really happened. At first, I thought I knew exactly what was happening. However, as more info was revealed, I realized that each narrative held elements of the truth. This is a twisty, puzzling story. I could not stop turning the pages and stayed up way too late reading (probably because I thought I needed a Dr. Pepper at 9pm!!🤣🤪). It is hard to write this review, because I do not want to give any hints of spoilers!!
This is an impressive debut, and I look forward to reading more from Lara Finch!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 4, 2025
Thank you to Lara Finch and Storm Publishing for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What The Nanny Said is a fast-paced psychological thriller about the lengths a person will go in order to protect the one they love. After her mother's unexpected death, Evie finds evidence of disappearances and murders in England along with photos of an unknown woman. Evie is determined to find out if the mother she knew assisted in the murder of "Lucy." As Evie travels to England, the pieces of the puzzle begin falling into place as Evie seeks the truth.
This book included multiple POVs, which I enjoy, as well as chapters from various timelines (past and present). I love it when thrillers switch between timelines because you can look for clues and get a more fleshed-out view of the story. One of the timelines reads as a transcript from a police interview with the nanny, which provides a different tone in the story. The police transcripts present a theatrical and over-exaggerated retelling of the events. As the story progresses, you can determine the real version of events and how much of it is accurate. I really felt for Lucy's character; she has a troubled past that influences her thoughts and behaviors in certain plot points. It's hard to read some of the police transcript because everything was blown out of proportion and made Lucy seem mentally unfit to raise a child, but we understand her inner thoughts and reasoning during her POV chapters.
This was a fast read, and I found the characters to be enjoyable, and Lucy's story was very compelling. I will say that in terms of plot, everything was a little more predictable than I would like in a thriller. I figured out the story pretty quickly, and it became less "I don't know what's going to happen next" and more of "I know how this ends, but how do we get to that point?" In terms of plot points, there wasn't anything super unique or groundbreaking for a thriller novel? However, it was a fun, fast-paced read with characters you begin to loathe, with the opportunity to compare the real chain of events versus the tale the nanny spins. But just because I figured it out doesn't mean that you will. I would be interested in reading more of her books!
What The Nanny Said is a fast-paced psychological thriller about the lengths a person will go in order to protect the one they love. After her mother's unexpected death, Evie finds evidence of disappearances and murders in England along with photos of an unknown woman. Evie is determined to find out if the mother she knew assisted in the murder of "Lucy." As Evie travels to England, the pieces of the puzzle begin falling into place as Evie seeks the truth.
This book included multiple POVs, which I enjoy, as well as chapters from various timelines (past and present). I love it when thrillers switch between timelines because you can look for clues and get a more fleshed-out view of the story. One of the timelines reads as a transcript from a police interview with the nanny, which provides a different tone in the story. The police transcripts present a theatrical and over-exaggerated retelling of the events. As the story progresses, you can determine the real version of events and how much of it is accurate. I really felt for Lucy's character; she has a troubled past that influences her thoughts and behaviors in certain plot points. It's hard to read some of the police transcript because everything was blown out of proportion and made Lucy seem mentally unfit to raise a child, but we understand her inner thoughts and reasoning during her POV chapters.
This was a fast read, and I found the characters to be enjoyable, and Lucy's story was very compelling. I will say that in terms of plot, everything was a little more predictable than I would like in a thriller. I figured out the story pretty quickly, and it became less "I don't know what's going to happen next" and more of "I know how this ends, but how do we get to that point?" In terms of plot points, there wasn't anything super unique or groundbreaking for a thriller novel? However, it was a fun, fast-paced read with characters you begin to loathe, with the opportunity to compare the real chain of events versus the tale the nanny spins. But just because I figured it out doesn't mean that you will. I would be interested in reading more of her books!
August 31, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked What the Nanny Said by Lara Finch—I actually loved it! This book kept me on my toes with all its twists and turns. Right up until the end, I was questioning who did what and why.
The story is told from three points of view: Lucy (the mother), Evie (the daughter), and Taylor (the nanny). Their perspectives overlap, so sometimes we get the same events retold from Lucy and Taylor, but with different interpretations.
As for the characters, Sam (Lucy’s husband) was awful. I truly hated him—he was a cheating, gaslighting jerk with zero redeeming qualities.
There were a couple of things I struggled with, though. Lucy, who is a mother to a very young child, is clearly suffering from postpartum depression. I know this is central to the story, but I had a hard time with the way she was constantly called “crazy” and pressured into believing she was going insane. Having personally experienced postpartum depression with all three of my kids, this was tough to read at times and even brought back some flashbacks. It didn’t necessarily require a trigger warning, but I did need to pause reading a few times to decompress and take care of myself before continuing.
My other issue was the ending. I literally said out loud, “You’re kidding me… that’s how this book ends?!” I’m not a fan of abrupt endings like this. It wasn’t a cliffhanger meant to set up a sequel—it just ended suddenly, and it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the book. The story was gripping, the characters were layered, and the twists kept me engaged throughout. The ending might have been disappointing, but I definitely plan on checking out more of Lara Finch’s (Jane Robins’s) work.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked What the Nanny Said by Lara Finch—I actually loved it! This book kept me on my toes with all its twists and turns. Right up until the end, I was questioning who did what and why.
The story is told from three points of view: Lucy (the mother), Evie (the daughter), and Taylor (the nanny). Their perspectives overlap, so sometimes we get the same events retold from Lucy and Taylor, but with different interpretations.
As for the characters, Sam (Lucy’s husband) was awful. I truly hated him—he was a cheating, gaslighting jerk with zero redeeming qualities.
There were a couple of things I struggled with, though. Lucy, who is a mother to a very young child, is clearly suffering from postpartum depression. I know this is central to the story, but I had a hard time with the way she was constantly called “crazy” and pressured into believing she was going insane. Having personally experienced postpartum depression with all three of my kids, this was tough to read at times and even brought back some flashbacks. It didn’t necessarily require a trigger warning, but I did need to pause reading a few times to decompress and take care of myself before continuing.
My other issue was the ending. I literally said out loud, “You’re kidding me… that’s how this book ends?!” I’m not a fan of abrupt endings like this. It wasn’t a cliffhanger meant to set up a sequel—it just ended suddenly, and it left me unsatisfied.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the book. The story was gripping, the characters were layered, and the twists kept me engaged throughout. The ending might have been disappointing, but I definitely plan on checking out more of Lara Finch’s (Jane Robins’s) work.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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