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The Girl with the Baby: A completely gripping and twisty page-turner
‘Oh my gosh… Absolutely blew me away. If I could give it more than five stars, I would in a heartbeat… Had me glued to the pages, breath held, wondering what twist was coming next… Truly one of those addictive, stay-up-too-late reads.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Annie’s life looks perfect on the surface. Peaceful mornings in her beautiful, tumbledown cottage, working from home looking out over the daisies in the bottom of the garden. But there’s a reason Annie never ventures into town, a secret she’s hiding about where she’s from. A secret that’s put another woman in danger…
Jade arrives at Annie’s front door with a baby sleeping sounding against her chest. She has the daughter Annie always dreamed of having, but one that came at a terrible cost. Jade knows Annie is the only person who can help her, who knows how to find safe haven from a man like the father of her child.
But Jade doesn’t know every piece of Annie’s story.
And Annie has no idea what Jade would do to save her daughter.
These two women have dark secrets. They both loved a dangerous man. But their lies will come at a terrible cost…
Fans of Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult and Linda Green will be completely gripped by this jaw-dropping page-turner filled with heart-stopping twists.
What readers are saying about The Girl with the Baby:
‘I raced through this book in one sitting… I may have whiplash from the never-ending twists and turns… Read this in one day I could not put it down. Highly recommend!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Hooked from start to finish!... Heart-pounding… Will keep you guessing until the very end… Gripping.’ sapphirenst9ne, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Perfect… I devoured this. It was impossible to stop reading.’ kkecreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘BRILLIANT… Gripping… Had me absolutely hooked… I could barely breathe! The huge, shocking twist was like a punch to gut… Perfect!’ Goodreads reviewer
‘Absolutely loved… Kept me hooked right to the end.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Brilliant… I couldn’t stop turning the pages fast enough… I even forgot to eat lunch… I was so engrossed… Extremely well deserved 5 stars for this read.’ jsybookworm, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Had me engrossed right from the start… Twists and turns all the way through… Absolutely brilliant.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Annie’s life looks perfect on the surface. Peaceful mornings in her beautiful, tumbledown cottage, working from home looking out over the daisies in the bottom of the garden. But there’s a reason Annie never ventures into town, a secret she’s hiding about where she’s from. A secret that’s put another woman in danger…
Jade arrives at Annie’s front door with a baby sleeping sounding against her chest. She has the daughter Annie always dreamed of having, but one that came at a terrible cost. Jade knows Annie is the only person who can help her, who knows how to find safe haven from a man like the father of her child.
But Jade doesn’t know every piece of Annie’s story.
And Annie has no idea what Jade would do to save her daughter.
These two women have dark secrets. They both loved a dangerous man. But their lies will come at a terrible cost…
Fans of Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult and Linda Green will be completely gripped by this jaw-dropping page-turner filled with heart-stopping twists.
What readers are saying about The Girl with the Baby:
‘I raced through this book in one sitting… I may have whiplash from the never-ending twists and turns… Read this in one day I could not put it down. Highly recommend!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Hooked from start to finish!... Heart-pounding… Will keep you guessing until the very end… Gripping.’ sapphirenst9ne, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Perfect… I devoured this. It was impossible to stop reading.’ kkecreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘BRILLIANT… Gripping… Had me absolutely hooked… I could barely breathe! The huge, shocking twist was like a punch to gut… Perfect!’ Goodreads reviewer
‘Absolutely loved… Kept me hooked right to the end.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Brilliant… I couldn’t stop turning the pages fast enough… I even forgot to eat lunch… I was so engrossed… Extremely well deserved 5 stars for this read.’ jsybookworm, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Had me engrossed right from the start… Twists and turns all the way through… Absolutely brilliant.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
April 14, 2026
This "Gal" was not the right reader for this "Gal" book.
➡️ WHY?
🔷 I do not enjoy thrillers with descriptions of domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse was not mentioned in the publisher's blurb.
Had I known about this domestic abuse content, I never would have requested this book.
🔷 When an audiobook unfolds from two POVs, I prefer audiobooks with two narrators.
Although narrator Sarah Kempton did a superb job with the narration, two narrators would have significantly enhanced the listening experience.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2026
I enjoyed this well enough, it needs a trigger warning for domestic abuse in the outset, however it was a fairly well crafted story and I was certainly kept intrigued. I think two narrators would’ve elevated the story, it took me some time to actually realise I was hearing the story from two pov. That’s not to say that Sarah Kempton didn’t do a great job, because she certainly did it was just a little tricky to differentiate between Annie and Jade at times.
I certainly didn’t guess at the twists and turns in the story and that always gains an extra point.
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I certainly didn’t guess at the twists and turns in the story and that always gains an extra point.
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
January 28, 2026
This book was like whittling away at wood. The closer you got to the core the more there was exposed.
I empathized with Annie after her terrible ordeal, hiding away from the world.
Aaron was a sweetie and definitely interested.
I thought Jade was very pushy and entitled. She got what she had coming to her.
The ending is explosive but alls well that ends well.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.
I empathized with Annie after her terrible ordeal, hiding away from the world.
Aaron was a sweetie and definitely interested.
I thought Jade was very pushy and entitled. She got what she had coming to her.
The ending is explosive but alls well that ends well.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.
April 24, 2026
While I greatly enjoyed the story, I found the premise to be very weak: a woman who is so afraid of her ex lets a random woman into her house because she thinks she might be the wife of said ex. It seems that at that point she would turn away the woman that may link her to the person she is afraid of. Instead, she lets her move in. Then she lets the woman stay and not give her any sort of story for a week, which is crazy. The story the woman gives was a lie (very obvious to the reader).
There were a ton of surprises and the ending was great, but like another reviewer mentioned, having the woman lie about abuse weakens that for all women so I did not enjoy that.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sam Vickery, and Dreamscape media for my ARC of this book.
There were a ton of surprises and the ending was great, but like another reviewer mentioned, having the woman lie about abuse weakens that for all women so I did not enjoy that.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sam Vickery, and Dreamscape media for my ARC of this book.
April 7, 2026
This book certainly kept me guessing. It is a fast passed, unique thriller. However much the story felt unbelievable and I had a hard time getting past that.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
April 9, 2026
I wanted to enjoy this, but in the end, I cannot say that I did.
The premise caught my attention instantly, and the characters/setting had me hooked within the first page. A woman who’d found herself sheltered within a secluded home she had not stepped foot out of in years in fear that her abusive ex might find her. Another woman, with fear in her eyes, a baby in her arms and a secret hidden behind her words, who found herself at that doorstep in need of safety. As the story progresses the mystery behind the mother and daughter and the warning of another baby’s death on the property was tantalizing. In the end, it was rather disappointing though.
I found myself having an okay time with this book – it was overly dramatic, had far too many chapters ending on pointless cliffhangers, the characters didn’t really act like people, and there was nothing about it that distinguished it from any other thriller novel – but the last handful of chapters just made me so mad that it tainted the rest of the book and any enjoyment I was having. This books big twist is something I hate – wherein one of the characters despite us being in their head the whole time, suddenly does a 180 flip and become a completely different person, only achieved through them being vague in their thoughts. The book pats itself on the back with the whole ‘you should have been an actor’ comment, like that’s supposed to be cause for us having been given no hints leading up to it, and the person pretty much being vague in their thoughts only to throw the reader off their scent. We are in the person’s head, and while there were a few throw away lines about them looking for something, it doesn’t compare to the final revelation of what had been occurring.
And that ending, what a bad ending it was. It made literally zero sense, and if they were as good at their con as they are portrayed to have been, you’d think they’d have thought this through for more than ten seconds and seen all the flaws. I was rolling my eyes at the end with the level of cartoon villain we reached. I don’t need the ending of a thriller to be groundbreaking, or a super dramatic twist, hell or even very clever, but if I get to the end and my only thought is that I spent all that time just for this, then ya that's a pretty bad ending in my book.
I think people who are fans of thriller novels might enjoy this a lot more than I do. However, I am rather particular with my thrillers, and this book just happened to hit the cardinal sin for me, making me rather dislike it. Overall, it's not the worst thriller I’ve read, and I can definitely see other people enjoying not only the read, but also the ending.
The narrator for the audio book was good. I wish there had been any distinguishing in tone used in the voices concerning the two woman’s chapters, because they both were read with the same inflections to their thoughts and words, making POV changes rather easy to miss for the first few paragraphs.
Honest Review for digital ARC Via Netgalley.
This book also does something that instantly turned me off concerning abuse survivors -
The premise caught my attention instantly, and the characters/setting had me hooked within the first page. A woman who’d found herself sheltered within a secluded home she had not stepped foot out of in years in fear that her abusive ex might find her. Another woman, with fear in her eyes, a baby in her arms and a secret hidden behind her words, who found herself at that doorstep in need of safety. As the story progresses the mystery behind the mother and daughter and the warning of another baby’s death on the property was tantalizing. In the end, it was rather disappointing though.
I found myself having an okay time with this book – it was overly dramatic, had far too many chapters ending on pointless cliffhangers, the characters didn’t really act like people, and there was nothing about it that distinguished it from any other thriller novel – but the last handful of chapters just made me so mad that it tainted the rest of the book and any enjoyment I was having. This books big twist is something I hate – wherein one of the characters despite us being in their head the whole time, suddenly does a 180 flip and become a completely different person, only achieved through them being vague in their thoughts. The book pats itself on the back with the whole ‘you should have been an actor’ comment, like that’s supposed to be cause for us having been given no hints leading up to it, and the person pretty much being vague in their thoughts only to throw the reader off their scent. We are in the person’s head, and while there were a few throw away lines about them looking for something, it doesn’t compare to the final revelation of what had been occurring.
And that ending, what a bad ending it was. It made literally zero sense, and if they were as good at their con as they are portrayed to have been, you’d think they’d have thought this through for more than ten seconds and seen all the flaws. I was rolling my eyes at the end with the level of cartoon villain we reached. I don’t need the ending of a thriller to be groundbreaking, or a super dramatic twist, hell or even very clever, but if I get to the end and my only thought is that I spent all that time just for this, then ya that's a pretty bad ending in my book.
I think people who are fans of thriller novels might enjoy this a lot more than I do. However, I am rather particular with my thrillers, and this book just happened to hit the cardinal sin for me, making me rather dislike it. Overall, it's not the worst thriller I’ve read, and I can definitely see other people enjoying not only the read, but also the ending.
The narrator for the audio book was good. I wish there had been any distinguishing in tone used in the voices concerning the two woman’s chapters, because they both were read with the same inflections to their thoughts and words, making POV changes rather easy to miss for the first few paragraphs.
Honest Review for digital ARC Via Netgalley.
This book also does something that instantly turned me off concerning abuse survivors -
April 8, 2026
4.25⭐️
I hit play on this one thanks to a Dreamscape Media ALC through NetGalley—and wow, what a fun ride it turned out to be.
I was hooked from the start and genuinely didn’t want to put it down. It kept me entertained the entire time. What held it back from a higher rating for me was some repetitiveness and a few details that didn’t quite go anywhere, which led to a bit of confusion at times. That said, the confusion weirdly worked in its favor—I stayed fully engaged trying to piece everything together. Even though not everything clicked into place, I ended up really enjoying the direction the story took.
The narration by Sarah Kempton was a highlight for me. Her soothing British accent felt perfectly age-appropriate for the characters. I do wish there had been a bit more differentiation between the two FMCs since the story is told in first-person dual POVs—sometimes it took a second to orient myself. Also, her natural 1x speed felt a bit slow to me, but bumping it up to 1.25x+ made for a great listening experience (definitely a personal preference thing).
Overall, I’m really glad I picked this one up—it was such an engaging and enjoyable listen.
I hit play on this one thanks to a Dreamscape Media ALC through NetGalley—and wow, what a fun ride it turned out to be.
I was hooked from the start and genuinely didn’t want to put it down. It kept me entertained the entire time. What held it back from a higher rating for me was some repetitiveness and a few details that didn’t quite go anywhere, which led to a bit of confusion at times. That said, the confusion weirdly worked in its favor—I stayed fully engaged trying to piece everything together. Even though not everything clicked into place, I ended up really enjoying the direction the story took.
The narration by Sarah Kempton was a highlight for me. Her soothing British accent felt perfectly age-appropriate for the characters. I do wish there had been a bit more differentiation between the two FMCs since the story is told in first-person dual POVs—sometimes it took a second to orient myself. Also, her natural 1x speed felt a bit slow to me, but bumping it up to 1.25x+ made for a great listening experience (definitely a personal preference thing).
Overall, I’m really glad I picked this one up—it was such an engaging and enjoyable listen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When you’ve lived for years in a precarious situation that you barely managed to escape from, all you want is to build a quiet life somewhere and keep contact with the outside world to an absolute minimum. That works perfectly—until one day someone shows up on your doorstep, someone you would much rather send away as quickly as possible, but something holds you back. This person needs you, and because you recognize the signs, you open your door and let her in.
The obvious question is: was this the right decision, or the biggest mistake you could have made?
This is what Annie goes through. The presence of her guest brings back memories she would much prefer to keep locked away in a dark corner of her mind.
It soon becomes clear that the guest has a hidden agenda—something you, as a reader, may already suspect—but what exactly was the sinister plan? It was certainly not what I expected. And although the story may feel a bit quiet at times, the payoff is powerful. The tension builds slowly toward a climax that completely blew me away.
Some people truly possess a masterful mind. Unfortunately, they often use it for devious purposes instead of for things that could benefit others.
Annie has been through a lot, and I completely understand her behavior. I think I would want to crawl under a rock myself in her situation. That’s why I was so pleased with the growth and evolution she experiences throughout the story.
Sometimes you really can’t see a way out and fear—or even panic—takes over, but that doesn’t mean happiness can’t find you again.
I was deeply moved by Annie’s story and utterly repulsed by Jade’s.
Money may not buy happiness, but having no money at all can make you deeply unhappy—with all the consequences that come with it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and happily give it 4.5 stars.
Thank you.
The obvious question is: was this the right decision, or the biggest mistake you could have made?
This is what Annie goes through. The presence of her guest brings back memories she would much prefer to keep locked away in a dark corner of her mind.
It soon becomes clear that the guest has a hidden agenda—something you, as a reader, may already suspect—but what exactly was the sinister plan? It was certainly not what I expected. And although the story may feel a bit quiet at times, the payoff is powerful. The tension builds slowly toward a climax that completely blew me away.
Some people truly possess a masterful mind. Unfortunately, they often use it for devious purposes instead of for things that could benefit others.
Annie has been through a lot, and I completely understand her behavior. I think I would want to crawl under a rock myself in her situation. That’s why I was so pleased with the growth and evolution she experiences throughout the story.
Sometimes you really can’t see a way out and fear—or even panic—takes over, but that doesn’t mean happiness can’t find you again.
I was deeply moved by Annie’s story and utterly repulsed by Jade’s.
Money may not buy happiness, but having no money at all can make you deeply unhappy—with all the consequences that come with it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and happily give it 4.5 stars.
Thank you.
January 17, 2026
This book follows Annie, who lives an almost solitary life after escaping an abusive marriage. Her days are quiet and cautious, relying on a kind neighbor to help with groceries while she stays constantly on alert, terrified her ex might show up at her door.
Everything changes when a woman named Jade appears with her baby, claiming she also escaped Annie’s abusive ex. From there, the story unfolds through tension, paranoia, and trauma.
To be honest, the book was painfully slow in pace, and I struggled to stay engaged at times. However, the reveal at the end was surprisingly satisfying and made everything click. It gave the story a sense of purpose that helped redeem the earlier drag.
Everything changes when a woman named Jade appears with her baby, claiming she also escaped Annie’s abusive ex. From there, the story unfolds through tension, paranoia, and trauma.
To be honest, the book was painfully slow in pace, and I struggled to stay engaged at times. However, the reveal at the end was surprisingly satisfying and made everything click. It gave the story a sense of purpose that helped redeem the earlier drag.
May 8, 2026
I was fully engrossed in this one from the start.
It had exactly the kind of twists and turns I want from a good thriller, the sort that make you suspicious of absolutely everyone and convinced you’ve cracked it… only for the book to humble you completely in the end.
I spent so much of this second-guessing every character, every motive, every little detail, and yet somehow I was still wrong again. Honestly, at this point thrillers are just personally attacking my detective skills.
Fast-paced, gripping, and full of those “just one more chapter” moments, this was well worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Sam Vickery for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
It had exactly the kind of twists and turns I want from a good thriller, the sort that make you suspicious of absolutely everyone and convinced you’ve cracked it… only for the book to humble you completely in the end.
I spent so much of this second-guessing every character, every motive, every little detail, and yet somehow I was still wrong again. Honestly, at this point thrillers are just personally attacking my detective skills.
Fast-paced, gripping, and full of those “just one more chapter” moments, this was well worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Sam Vickery for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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Annie is living as a recluse in her childhood home after escaping from an abusive husband. She never goes out and relies on her neighbour to bring her groceries etc. Then one day a young woman with a baby appears and asks for Annie's help. Against her better judgement Annie lets her stay initially for a few days as she's convinced that Jade is the new wife of Annie's ex. The story is told from the two women's perspectives and it's clear that they both have secrets.
This is one of those books where you can't decide who is telling the truth and the twists keep coming, Although I did suspect who Jade was running away from I didn't expect the real reasons behind it and the ending was certainly a big surprise! A very enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book.
Annie is living as a recluse in her childhood home after escaping from an abusive husband. She never goes out and relies on her neighbour to bring her groceries etc. Then one day a young woman with a baby appears and asks for Annie's help. Against her better judgement Annie lets her stay initially for a few days as she's convinced that Jade is the new wife of Annie's ex. The story is told from the two women's perspectives and it's clear that they both have secrets.
This is one of those books where you can't decide who is telling the truth and the twists keep coming, Although I did suspect who Jade was running away from I didn't expect the real reasons behind it and the ending was certainly a big surprise! A very enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book.
April 12, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! This book was wild! I loved how I did not see that ending coming! I was convinced Annie was guilty and loved how she turned out to be completely different from how I first viewed her. This book had me on the edge and I could not stop listening to it. The perspectives from the two women really well done and added so much suspense to the book. I really enjoyed this thriller so much.
Wow! This book was wild! I loved how I did not see that ending coming! I was convinced Annie was guilty and loved how she turned out to be completely different from how I first viewed her. This book had me on the edge and I could not stop listening to it. The perspectives from the two women really well done and added so much suspense to the book. I really enjoyed this thriller so much.
April 20, 2026
A good mystery thriller.
I listened to the audiobook and Sarah Kempton was great as always, she presents the two main characters very well and draws you in emotionally.
The story overall stays a mystery until the very end.
It was the usual story of someone running from a past we don’t yet understand, as the plot gets deeper the more layers are added to the story
Very strong 3 ⭐️
I listened to the audiobook and Sarah Kempton was great as always, she presents the two main characters very well and draws you in emotionally.
The story overall stays a mystery until the very end.
It was the usual story of someone running from a past we don’t yet understand, as the plot gets deeper the more layers are added to the story
Very strong 3 ⭐️
May 7, 2026
The Girl with the Baby was a gripping and emotional read. The story beautifully highlighted the reality of domestic abuse, survival, and finding strength after trauma. I also enjoyed the second storyline involving deception — it kept the suspense going throughout the book. Both stories were intense in different ways, and I loved how everything came together with a satisfying ending. A compelling thriller with strong emotional depth.
November 28, 2025
Another great read from this author. This time we meet a woman living In fear of her ex finding her again. When a young mum arrives at her door with a baby she is convinced that she is linked to her ex and that she has to help her but as the days pass she starts to question who is this woman she let into her home and is she in real danger. This is an edge of your seat read not to be missed!
April 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and dreamscape media for this ALC
The Girl with the Baby by Sam Vickey starts off with Annie, a recluse living in the English countryside. Annie has been living in her parent’s cottage for years, never venturing beyond the garden gate. She relies on her neighbor Aaron to bring her basic necessities and supports her lifestyle by carving bird houses that are sold anonymously in the local village.
One day, a woman shows up on her doorstep, begging for help with a newborn baby. Annie is initially reluctant to help the woman, but something in her eyes draws her in. Annie has been the victim of domestic abuse sees that this woman may be trying to escape from an abusive partner. Annie invites the woman whose name is Jade to stay with her while she figures out her next move. Annie quickly makes the assumption that Jade is escaping from Annie’s prior abusive boyfriend Ryan.
The story jumps between Annie and Jade‘s points of view. Annie is struggling with having another person in her space after all these years and is terrified that Ryan will find her. Annie details the horrific abuse that she suffered at Ryan’s hands through flashback memories. Meanwhile, Jade is trying to figure out her next step while also caring for her newborn daughter. She also is weary of Auntie’s next-door, neighbor Aaron who happens to also be a policeman.
It turns out that Jade is not who she seems as the story unfold. There are many twists and turns. Overall, I thought the story was OK. I did figure out part of the twist halfway through. I found the details of Annie’s abuse hard to listen to. I also felt that the book was a little slow moving. There are many starts and turns and we constantly were subjected to memories regarding Ryan. I did find the ending satisfying and all loose ends were tied up so I do appreciate that. Overall, I give this book 3 out of five stars. I did enjoy the narration by Sarah Kempton, but would’ve enjoyed two narrators portraying both Annie and Jade’s point of view.
May 16, 2026
Annie lives alone in the childhood home she returned to after escaping her abusive ex-husband. With her world kept deliberately small—and her only real connection to the outside being her neighbor, Aaron—she’s determined to protect the quiet life she’s rebuilt.
That changes when Jade, a young woman carrying a baby, shows up at Annie’s door begging for help. Annie is incredibly hesitant and turns her away—until she notices a bruise on Jade’s arm and can’t ignore what it might mean.
Against her initial gut reaction, Annie lets Jade and the baby stay. Seeing pieces of her own past in Jade’s situation, Annie wants to help them get away from whatever they’re running from. Jade, meanwhile, is focused on one thing: protecting her child long enough to figure out a plan for herself and her daughter.
But living with Annie isn’t easy. As Annie’s unpredictable routines and the strange atmosphere in the house start to wear on her, Jade begins to wonder whether she’s traded one kind of danger for another.
Over time, Annie opens up and shares more about what happened in her past—but Jade doesn’t return the sentiment, keeping key parts of her own story locked down.
Jade’s guarded behavior makes Annie reflect even more on the life she left behind. Annie becomes convinced that she and Jade share something in common—and that the past Annie tried so hard to escape is starting to close in again.
Overall, this was a great, quick read that kept me turning pages. I found myself rooting for both Annie and Jade and really hoping they’d each find a way out of their situations. The story reveals information a little at a time, which kept me guessing and eager to see what would happen next. The ending has a twist I didn’t see coming, and I thought it landed in a way that was both surprising and oddly heartwarming.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
**ebook was provided by netgalley
That changes when Jade, a young woman carrying a baby, shows up at Annie’s door begging for help. Annie is incredibly hesitant and turns her away—until she notices a bruise on Jade’s arm and can’t ignore what it might mean.
Against her initial gut reaction, Annie lets Jade and the baby stay. Seeing pieces of her own past in Jade’s situation, Annie wants to help them get away from whatever they’re running from. Jade, meanwhile, is focused on one thing: protecting her child long enough to figure out a plan for herself and her daughter.
But living with Annie isn’t easy. As Annie’s unpredictable routines and the strange atmosphere in the house start to wear on her, Jade begins to wonder whether she’s traded one kind of danger for another.
Over time, Annie opens up and shares more about what happened in her past—but Jade doesn’t return the sentiment, keeping key parts of her own story locked down.
Jade’s guarded behavior makes Annie reflect even more on the life she left behind. Annie becomes convinced that she and Jade share something in common—and that the past Annie tried so hard to escape is starting to close in again.
Overall, this was a great, quick read that kept me turning pages. I found myself rooting for both Annie and Jade and really hoping they’d each find a way out of their situations. The story reveals information a little at a time, which kept me guessing and eager to see what would happen next. The ending has a twist I didn’t see coming, and I thought it landed in a way that was both surprising and oddly heartwarming.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
**ebook was provided by netgalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2026
⭐️4.4/5 - THE GIRL WITH THE BABY by Sam Vickery is wild ride! If you’re in the mood for a tense, fast-paced domestic thriller that keeps you on edge, this one is definitely worth picking up!
The story follows two main perspectives: Annie, who is trying to rebuild her life after escaping an abusive relationship, and Jade, a mysterious woman who arrives at Annie’s door with a baby and no explanation. I was immediately intrigued by Jade and found myself desperate to piece together who she was and what had brought her there.
While most of the story unfolds in the present, there are moments that look back into the past, and those chapters were especially intense. Annie’s backstory, in particular, was incredibly difficult to read at times, but it added so much depth and emotional weight to the story.
Early on, I got strong ENOUGH (movie) type vibes, which made me even more invested. The suspense never really lets up, and the narration does an excellent job of building a constant sense of tension and unease. There were moments where I could practically feel my anxiety rising as the story unfolded.
The reveals hit hard ... some were heartbreaking and deeply emotional, while others were shocking, infuriating, and completely unexpected. This book really takes you through the full spectrum of emotions. The author doesn’t shy away from the darker, more brutal aspects of the story, which made everything feel even more raw and impactful.
The final chapters escalate quickly and deliver a powerful, satisfying conclusion. Overall, a gripping and emotionally intense read that domestic thriller fans will likely devour!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows two main perspectives: Annie, who is trying to rebuild her life after escaping an abusive relationship, and Jade, a mysterious woman who arrives at Annie’s door with a baby and no explanation. I was immediately intrigued by Jade and found myself desperate to piece together who she was and what had brought her there.
While most of the story unfolds in the present, there are moments that look back into the past, and those chapters were especially intense. Annie’s backstory, in particular, was incredibly difficult to read at times, but it added so much depth and emotional weight to the story.
Early on, I got strong ENOUGH (movie) type vibes, which made me even more invested. The suspense never really lets up, and the narration does an excellent job of building a constant sense of tension and unease. There were moments where I could practically feel my anxiety rising as the story unfolded.
The reveals hit hard ... some were heartbreaking and deeply emotional, while others were shocking, infuriating, and completely unexpected. This book really takes you through the full spectrum of emotions. The author doesn’t shy away from the darker, more brutal aspects of the story, which made everything feel even more raw and impactful.
The final chapters escalate quickly and deliver a powerful, satisfying conclusion. Overall, a gripping and emotionally intense read that domestic thriller fans will likely devour!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
Review of advance listening copy received from Netgalley
In The Girl with the Baby by Sam Vickery, we follow the story of Annie, a woman who has spent years hiding in a secluded cottage to escape a dark, violent past and a dangerous man. Her fragile peace is disrupted when Jade arrives at her door carrying a baby, as the story unfolds it becomes clear that neither is being entirely honest about their intentions or their secrets.
This was my first time reading a book by Sam Vickery, I will definitely be looking for more of her work in the future. The story is less of a twisty, high speed thriller and more of an emotional mystery centered on the heavy themes of abuse and survival and the "who is lying" dynamic is entertaining. The plot hooked me right away with its intriguing premise but the pacing was a bit slow, the reveal was great and I didn't guess it at all. There are only a few characters so the story is very easy to follow. Readers should be mindful of the trigger warnings, as the book deals with abuse, domestic violence, miscarriage, and self harm.
Regarding the audiobook: the narrator did a wonderful job with the performance, but I found it confusing at times as the same exact voice was used for both women and given that the story shifts between their perspectives, having two distinct narrators or voices would have made it better. Overall, this was a very entertaining and engaging read.
A big Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifted ALC. All opinions are mine.
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NetGalley
In The Girl with the Baby by Sam Vickery, we follow the story of Annie, a woman who has spent years hiding in a secluded cottage to escape a dark, violent past and a dangerous man. Her fragile peace is disrupted when Jade arrives at her door carrying a baby, as the story unfolds it becomes clear that neither is being entirely honest about their intentions or their secrets.
This was my first time reading a book by Sam Vickery, I will definitely be looking for more of her work in the future. The story is less of a twisty, high speed thriller and more of an emotional mystery centered on the heavy themes of abuse and survival and the "who is lying" dynamic is entertaining. The plot hooked me right away with its intriguing premise but the pacing was a bit slow, the reveal was great and I didn't guess it at all. There are only a few characters so the story is very easy to follow. Readers should be mindful of the trigger warnings, as the book deals with abuse, domestic violence, miscarriage, and self harm.
Regarding the audiobook: the narrator did a wonderful job with the performance, but I found it confusing at times as the same exact voice was used for both women and given that the story shifts between their perspectives, having two distinct narrators or voices would have made it better. Overall, this was a very entertaining and engaging read.
A big Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifted ALC. All opinions are mine.
NetGalley
January 28, 2026
My fourth book by Sam Vickery and my first 5 star read from her. What a tense page turning brilliant psychological thriller!
Annie has made a quiet peaceful life for herself with all her routines and habits in place to keep her feeling safe. She enjoys gardening, come rain or shine, and also making custom birdhouses in her woodworking shed for the residents of the small town she lives in. She doesn’t leave her house but her neighbour, Aaron, who lives next door, is more than happy to do errands for her in town and buy anything she needs. She also enjoys the peace of mind she feels knowing he is a police officer should she require any help. Suddenly one day a young woman turns up on her doorstep with a newborn baby in her arms asking for help. Annie feels no choice but to invite her in. Jade is running scared with her newborn daughter, Amala, and has secrets but is reluctant to share them with Annie, in turn Annie has secrets she doesn’t want to share with Jade. Will both women be able to outrun their past or will all their secrets catch up with them?!
Well as I said above this was such a great read! The tension was written so well and although I felt the beginning of the story was a little slow, I understand it was setting the scene and was necessary. Once the pace picked up it never stopped and I couldn’t stop turning the pages fast enough, I was amazed when I hit the halfway mark and I even forgot to eat lunch on one of the days I was reading as I was so engrossed in the story. I did find myself getting frustrated with Annie but at the same time, as the story progressed and her character developed, I started to understand why she was the way she was, and I warmed to her. It was quite heartbreaking at times how she didn’t see herself very clearly at all, especially thinking she had no empathy when it was clear to me, as a reader, that she had a lot, and also was a lot stronger and braver than she gave herself credit for. I did find Jade extremely exasperating and didn’t warm to her at all, but I never figured how she was involved in the story which was great as I love a twist that I haven’t foreseen. Huge praise needs to go to Sam Vickery for writing two fictional characters that I had such high emotions about.
Overall, another brilliant psychological thriller that I would wholeheartedly recommend to any readers who love the psychological thriller genre. Extremely well deserved 5 stars for this read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sam Vickery and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
Annie has made a quiet peaceful life for herself with all her routines and habits in place to keep her feeling safe. She enjoys gardening, come rain or shine, and also making custom birdhouses in her woodworking shed for the residents of the small town she lives in. She doesn’t leave her house but her neighbour, Aaron, who lives next door, is more than happy to do errands for her in town and buy anything she needs. She also enjoys the peace of mind she feels knowing he is a police officer should she require any help. Suddenly one day a young woman turns up on her doorstep with a newborn baby in her arms asking for help. Annie feels no choice but to invite her in. Jade is running scared with her newborn daughter, Amala, and has secrets but is reluctant to share them with Annie, in turn Annie has secrets she doesn’t want to share with Jade. Will both women be able to outrun their past or will all their secrets catch up with them?!
Well as I said above this was such a great read! The tension was written so well and although I felt the beginning of the story was a little slow, I understand it was setting the scene and was necessary. Once the pace picked up it never stopped and I couldn’t stop turning the pages fast enough, I was amazed when I hit the halfway mark and I even forgot to eat lunch on one of the days I was reading as I was so engrossed in the story. I did find myself getting frustrated with Annie but at the same time, as the story progressed and her character developed, I started to understand why she was the way she was, and I warmed to her. It was quite heartbreaking at times how she didn’t see herself very clearly at all, especially thinking she had no empathy when it was clear to me, as a reader, that she had a lot, and also was a lot stronger and braver than she gave herself credit for. I did find Jade extremely exasperating and didn’t warm to her at all, but I never figured how she was involved in the story which was great as I love a twist that I haven’t foreseen. Huge praise needs to go to Sam Vickery for writing two fictional characters that I had such high emotions about.
Overall, another brilliant psychological thriller that I would wholeheartedly recommend to any readers who love the psychological thriller genre. Extremely well deserved 5 stars for this read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sam Vickery and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
January 28, 2026
Annie lives a reclusive life after running from her abusive ex. She doesn't leave her house so relies on her neighbour to do all of her shopping for her, and she doesn't let anyone inside. That is until Jade turns up with a tiny baby, fleeing from an abusive ex. Jade's story doesn't quite add up to Annie but she takes her in anyway. She soon realises she's made a big mistake and may have led her past right back to her door by trying to save this young mother and her child.
This was a solid thriller, full of twists and turns that keep you guessing all the way through. Sometimes these twists make the plot a bit convoluted and unbelievable, but that doesn't take away too much of the enjoyment from the book. Annie's past is described in fairly graphic detail, so it is advisable that you go into this with caution as the author deals with some pretty heavy topics around domestic violence and baby loss. She has however, handled these really well but it may still be very triggering to some readers.
This was a one sitting book for me, even when the plot got a bit overly crazy I still wanted to read on to find out how it ended. I did start to suspect the direction it was going to take at around the half way point, but its not immediately obvious who Jade is and what her motives are.
Definitely one to read if youre looking for something more psychological than focused around a murder. The only reason I gave it 3 stars is because I didn't feel like it was anything stand out special even though it is a very enjoyable read.
This was a solid thriller, full of twists and turns that keep you guessing all the way through. Sometimes these twists make the plot a bit convoluted and unbelievable, but that doesn't take away too much of the enjoyment from the book. Annie's past is described in fairly graphic detail, so it is advisable that you go into this with caution as the author deals with some pretty heavy topics around domestic violence and baby loss. She has however, handled these really well but it may still be very triggering to some readers.
This was a one sitting book for me, even when the plot got a bit overly crazy I still wanted to read on to find out how it ended. I did start to suspect the direction it was going to take at around the half way point, but its not immediately obvious who Jade is and what her motives are.
Definitely one to read if youre looking for something more psychological than focused around a murder. The only reason I gave it 3 stars is because I didn't feel like it was anything stand out special even though it is a very enjoyable read.
December 9, 2025
Sam Vickery's "The Girl with the Baby" delivers a tense psychological thriller centered on a reclusive woman in a quiet village who opens her isolated cottage to Jade, the new wife of her abusive ex, and her infant daughter. As bonds form amid shared trauma, subtle suspicions arise—Jade's furtive behaviour and unspoken secrets hint at deeper dangers lurking beneath the surface of their fragile alliance. Vickery masterfully builds domestic suspense, blending themes of trust, motherhood, and hidden pasts into a narrative that grips from the opening knock at the garden gate.
The story accelerates with heart-pounding twists, exploring how far one might go to protect a child while unraveling the layers of deception between the two women. The emotional depth and unforeseen revelations that challenge assumptions create a tense interest while reading. Vickery's prose captures the claustrophobic intimacy of rural isolation, making every shadowed corner feel alive with menace.
This page-turner earns its "completely gripping" tagline, with early buzz highlighting its unputdownable quality and jaw-dropping finale that lingers long after the last page. Ideal for fans of twisty women's fiction, it showcases Vickery's skill in crafting flawed, relatable protagonists whose choices propel a rollercoaster of empathy and shock. A standout debut in emotional suspense.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.
The story accelerates with heart-pounding twists, exploring how far one might go to protect a child while unraveling the layers of deception between the two women. The emotional depth and unforeseen revelations that challenge assumptions create a tense interest while reading. Vickery's prose captures the claustrophobic intimacy of rural isolation, making every shadowed corner feel alive with menace.
This page-turner earns its "completely gripping" tagline, with early buzz highlighting its unputdownable quality and jaw-dropping finale that lingers long after the last page. Ideal for fans of twisty women's fiction, it showcases Vickery's skill in crafting flawed, relatable protagonists whose choices propel a rollercoaster of empathy and shock. A standout debut in emotional suspense.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ten years ago, Annie finally escaped her abusive partner, Ryan. Now, she lives quietly and privately in what was her parents home before they passed away. She never goes into town as her kind neighbor, Aaron, a policeman, picks up the things that she needs. He understands that she wants her privacy and he gives that to her.
One day, a young woman, Jade, and her infant daughter, Amala, come to Annie's gate asking if she will help them. At first, she refuses and sends them away but then relents and says they can stay for a week and then they must find another place to go. Annie notices the bruises on Jade and just knows that she is the young woman who married Ryan as her aunt had sent a picture of the woman. Annie tries to find the picture but doesn’t remember where she put it. Aaron is skeptical of Jade and doesn’t trust her. Annie hears Jade walking around the house at night which Jade says is her way of calming Amala. Is this woman Jade or someone else and why is she there?
The beginning of the book dragged for me. I felt Jade was lying even while she seemed to be a good mother. Annie was quirky and I didn’t understand why she didn’t seek police protection revenge herself against Ryan. There were just too many far-fetched things in this book to make me feel that it made sense. It was violent and rather off-putting. Sorry, not for me.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
One day, a young woman, Jade, and her infant daughter, Amala, come to Annie's gate asking if she will help them. At first, she refuses and sends them away but then relents and says they can stay for a week and then they must find another place to go. Annie notices the bruises on Jade and just knows that she is the young woman who married Ryan as her aunt had sent a picture of the woman. Annie tries to find the picture but doesn’t remember where she put it. Aaron is skeptical of Jade and doesn’t trust her. Annie hears Jade walking around the house at night which Jade says is her way of calming Amala. Is this woman Jade or someone else and why is she there?
The beginning of the book dragged for me. I felt Jade was lying even while she seemed to be a good mother. Annie was quirky and I didn’t understand why she didn’t seek police protection revenge herself against Ryan. There were just too many far-fetched things in this book to make me feel that it made sense. It was violent and rather off-putting. Sorry, not for me.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 26, 2026
This one pulled me in fast and never really let go.
The story follows Annie, who’s living a quiet, isolated life after escaping an abusive marriage, just trying to stay under the radar and keep her peace. Then Jade shows up at her door with a baby and a story that feels a little too familiar, and from there everything tightens. Secrets start stacking up, tension builds, and you’re constantly trying to figure out who’s telling the truth and who’s hiding something darker.
What worked for me most was the atmosphere. It felt tense without needing a lot of action, more like this slow pressure building the whole time. You feel Annie’s fear, her isolation, and that constant sense that danger could show up at any moment. The dual perspectives kept things interesting and made it hard to fully trust either side, which made the twists land even harder.
The pacing leans slow at first, but it’s deliberate. By the time everything starts coming together, it hits. The ending especially made the whole journey worth it, everything clicked into place and the emotional weight really landed.
It’s a heavy story in places, dealing with trauma, survival, and the lasting impact of abusive relationships, but it’s handled in a way that feels grounded and real. No over-the-top drama, just people trying to make it through and figure out who they can trust.
Definitely a five-star read for me. Suspenseful, emotional, and the kind of book that sticks with you after you finish it.
The story follows Annie, who’s living a quiet, isolated life after escaping an abusive marriage, just trying to stay under the radar and keep her peace. Then Jade shows up at her door with a baby and a story that feels a little too familiar, and from there everything tightens. Secrets start stacking up, tension builds, and you’re constantly trying to figure out who’s telling the truth and who’s hiding something darker.
What worked for me most was the atmosphere. It felt tense without needing a lot of action, more like this slow pressure building the whole time. You feel Annie’s fear, her isolation, and that constant sense that danger could show up at any moment. The dual perspectives kept things interesting and made it hard to fully trust either side, which made the twists land even harder.
The pacing leans slow at first, but it’s deliberate. By the time everything starts coming together, it hits. The ending especially made the whole journey worth it, everything clicked into place and the emotional weight really landed.
It’s a heavy story in places, dealing with trauma, survival, and the lasting impact of abusive relationships, but it’s handled in a way that feels grounded and real. No over-the-top drama, just people trying to make it through and figure out who they can trust.
Definitely a five-star read for me. Suspenseful, emotional, and the kind of book that sticks with you after you finish it.
April 14, 2026
I really wanted to like this book - I was excited by the idea and thought it sounded like a fun thriller. And it started well; as readers, we wondered what had happened to Annie in her past to make her such a recluse; we wondered what Jade was up to and whether she too had suffered; we wanted to know more about Aaron, the neighbor, and what his relationship with Annie was. And then it fell apart. It was way too repetitive; Annie kept thinking the same things about how scared she was and what was happening with Jade - and we never found out. The novel was told from two perspectives, but Jade's did not stay true to her original perspective. It didn't seem real that she could be this awful person at the end, when we had been in her perspective and seen nothing like that - the only glimpse we had was he one memory of getting out of prison. And then the final scene - Annie's brother is lying on the grass, possibly bleeding out. Aaron comes like a savior to save Annie, who really should have paid attention to her instincts honed over three years to get out of there. Aaron decides to tell Annie all about who Jade really is before checking on the brother or arresting her. It just did not work - it didn't make sense. So, the premise was good, but the reality was not great.
I listened to the audio version, but there was no way to choose that on Goodreads. Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to the audio version, but there was no way to choose that on Goodreads. Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars and 0 peppers
While I am not new to the world of thrillers I am still very green. I do want to read more and I feel as though this book is a good introduction to the thriller genre. Not too much but just enough if you are getting your feet wet. I never put spoilers in my reviews and I won’t start now. The story follows Annie who is a simple girl who escaped a life of abuse and danger to live a simple life. She was able to live a quiet, peaceful albeit lonely life with no connections to the outside world. Now after years of being free we enter in Jade. She is a woman who is on the run with her baby in tow. Jade seeks refuge with Annie and though Annie is hesitant to let her in she does. Could letting this stranger in be the worst possible thing for Annie or the best thing that ever happened to her? Now with a thriller you never know which way the book will go and I can honestly say that out of all the outcomes I had come up with, none of them were even remotely lose to what actually happened. I love the character growth we see in Annie. That was so important and I wasn’t sure we as readers were going to get it so I am glad we did. Again if you are just starting out your journey with thrillers this would be a great first read. Well written and plot twist on dec. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
While I am not new to the world of thrillers I am still very green. I do want to read more and I feel as though this book is a good introduction to the thriller genre. Not too much but just enough if you are getting your feet wet. I never put spoilers in my reviews and I won’t start now. The story follows Annie who is a simple girl who escaped a life of abuse and danger to live a simple life. She was able to live a quiet, peaceful albeit lonely life with no connections to the outside world. Now after years of being free we enter in Jade. She is a woman who is on the run with her baby in tow. Jade seeks refuge with Annie and though Annie is hesitant to let her in she does. Could letting this stranger in be the worst possible thing for Annie or the best thing that ever happened to her? Now with a thriller you never know which way the book will go and I can honestly say that out of all the outcomes I had come up with, none of them were even remotely lose to what actually happened. I love the character growth we see in Annie. That was so important and I wasn’t sure we as readers were going to get it so I am glad we did. Again if you are just starting out your journey with thrillers this would be a great first read. Well written and plot twist on dec. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
April 13, 2026
Book: 5🌟
Narration: 5 🌟
Two women with dark secrets collide in this gripping new thriller! Annie has been living in hiding for three years. She never leaves her house and only talks to one neighbor. What or who is she hiding from? Jade shows up on Annie’s doorstep with a baby after fleeing her home. She is running from someone but won’t share any details. What secret is she hiding? The real question is, can each of them be trusted?
Sam Vickery will keep you on the edge of your seat with this suspenseful thriller! The book is an engaging slow burn. The story gradually unravels as you try to uncover the secrets of Annie and Jade. I loved how the book reveals small pieces of information that you have to connect like a mystery, yet keeps you in suspense like a thriller. At one point, I wanted to scream at Annie to take action, but as you get to know her, it all makes sense. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. I guessed part of the twist, but there were so many surprises that I was still shocked. I even had to pull the car over to listen to the ending. The best part is that all parts are believable and could happen in real life. The twist is wild, unpredictable, and realistic which is an uncommon combo in thrillers! Sarah Kempton, the narrator, was perfect! I loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for allowing me to listen to this advance copy.
Narration: 5 🌟
Two women with dark secrets collide in this gripping new thriller! Annie has been living in hiding for three years. She never leaves her house and only talks to one neighbor. What or who is she hiding from? Jade shows up on Annie’s doorstep with a baby after fleeing her home. She is running from someone but won’t share any details. What secret is she hiding? The real question is, can each of them be trusted?
Sam Vickery will keep you on the edge of your seat with this suspenseful thriller! The book is an engaging slow burn. The story gradually unravels as you try to uncover the secrets of Annie and Jade. I loved how the book reveals small pieces of information that you have to connect like a mystery, yet keeps you in suspense like a thriller. At one point, I wanted to scream at Annie to take action, but as you get to know her, it all makes sense. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. I guessed part of the twist, but there were so many surprises that I was still shocked. I even had to pull the car over to listen to the ending. The best part is that all parts are believable and could happen in real life. The twist is wild, unpredictable, and realistic which is an uncommon combo in thrillers! Sarah Kempton, the narrator, was perfect! I loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for allowing me to listen to this advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I found it to be an intense and gripping tale - the sense that something is wrong oozes from the pages.
Annie lives as a recluse after fleeing from an abusive relationship until one day a young woman with a baby turns up at her door looking for safety and asking for her help. Annie decides to let her in, but has she made a mistake in trusting the one woman she shouldn’t have. What unfolds is a tense, at times heartbreaking as well as shocking read.
The dual POV chapters, told by Annie and Jade, have a steady momentum that maintains an engaging pace, and I felt Annie’s fear, isolation and mistrust on every page. With themes of abuse, control and deception, this book was hard to read but also hard to put down.
The build up was taut and the atmosphere the story created was heavy, emotional and full of tension. I found this to be a real page-turner, and when the twist hits, it’s a clever and emotional scene, wrapping the story up nicely. Hugely compelling, immensely readable, heartbreaking and unexpectedly emotional- impossible to put down. This book is available from 27th January 2026.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.
Annie lives as a recluse after fleeing from an abusive relationship until one day a young woman with a baby turns up at her door looking for safety and asking for her help. Annie decides to let her in, but has she made a mistake in trusting the one woman she shouldn’t have. What unfolds is a tense, at times heartbreaking as well as shocking read.
The dual POV chapters, told by Annie and Jade, have a steady momentum that maintains an engaging pace, and I felt Annie’s fear, isolation and mistrust on every page. With themes of abuse, control and deception, this book was hard to read but also hard to put down.
The build up was taut and the atmosphere the story created was heavy, emotional and full of tension. I found this to be a real page-turner, and when the twist hits, it’s a clever and emotional scene, wrapping the story up nicely. Hugely compelling, immensely readable, heartbreaking and unexpectedly emotional- impossible to put down. This book is available from 27th January 2026.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Annie lives a quiet life in her cottage, alone from everyone else and not telling anyone about the man she has run away from. But then a trembling Jade and her baby appear at Annie’s door. She realises that Jade is the man her ex married and that this must be his child. Annie finds herself letting Jade in, thinking she will be the one person she can confide in. But soon Annie starts to wonder if she can trust the woman she has invited in, but perhaps Jade has sought safety in the one place she’s in the most danger.
Ever since reading my first book by this author, she is now a go to one for me and I have to pick up her latest reads. This was another entertaining read, however seemed a lot slower paced than her others, where by I spent the first half waiting for it to go anywhere. The second half made up for it though and became fun, twisty and suspenseful.
Even though I figured some parts out, it was enjoyable getting there and I kept changing my mind who I could trust. There are emotionally charged parts to the story and I ultimately found the ending satisfying. I am pleased this was another enjoyable thriller by this author and I look forward to reading more. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Ever since reading my first book by this author, she is now a go to one for me and I have to pick up her latest reads. This was another entertaining read, however seemed a lot slower paced than her others, where by I spent the first half waiting for it to go anywhere. The second half made up for it though and became fun, twisty and suspenseful.
Even though I figured some parts out, it was enjoyable getting there and I kept changing my mind who I could trust. There are emotionally charged parts to the story and I ultimately found the ending satisfying. I am pleased this was another enjoyable thriller by this author and I look forward to reading more. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
February 8, 2026
This story thrives on tension built in silence. Annie has carved out a life designed to be small, controlled, and unseen after escaping a violent marriage. Her world is deliberately narrow—until a stranger named Jade arrives at her door holding a baby and asking for help. From that moment on, the sense of safety Annie has constructed begins to fracture.
What follows is a tightly wound psychological thriller where trust feels dangerous and every interaction carries weight. The shared space becomes suffocating as Annie and Jade circle each other with equal parts fear and suspicion, each hiding truths that could unravel everything. The dual perspectives deepen the unease, constantly shifting your loyalties and keeping you off balance.
The novel is spare in setting but rich in atmosphere, proving that you don’t need a large cast or sweeping locations to create high stakes. It’s a fast, unsettling read that explores survival, trauma, and the cost of opening your door—both literally and emotionally. If you enjoy thrillers that rely on mood, doubt, and sharp twists rather than nonstop action, this one delivers.
Thank you to NetGalley and bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What follows is a tightly wound psychological thriller where trust feels dangerous and every interaction carries weight. The shared space becomes suffocating as Annie and Jade circle each other with equal parts fear and suspicion, each hiding truths that could unravel everything. The dual perspectives deepen the unease, constantly shifting your loyalties and keeping you off balance.
The novel is spare in setting but rich in atmosphere, proving that you don’t need a large cast or sweeping locations to create high stakes. It’s a fast, unsettling read that explores survival, trauma, and the cost of opening your door—both literally and emotionally. If you enjoy thrillers that rely on mood, doubt, and sharp twists rather than nonstop action, this one delivers.
Thank you to NetGalley and bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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