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The Waitress
274 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
K.L. Slater
56 books5,198 followersKim is the number one bestselling author of sixteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 14, 2026
I went into The Waitress by K.L. Slater not knowing what to expect—and I ended up loving it.
Right from the start, I was pulled into this glamorous but eerie world where nothing feels quite right. There’s this constant sense of unease, especially with the two men in Alicia’s life, and I found myself questioning everything the whole way through.
Alicia really made this book for me. She’s been through so much, but her strength and determination really stood out. Watching her face her past and keep going, especially for the love of her son, was emotional and powerful. I was completely rooting for her.
And that ending… I genuinely did NOT see that twist coming. It completely caught me off guard in the best way.
This book kept me hooked, and I didn’t want to put it down. If you love psychological thrillers with strong characters and twists you won’t see coming, I’d definitely recommend it.
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: April 17th, 2026
Right from the start, I was pulled into this glamorous but eerie world where nothing feels quite right. There’s this constant sense of unease, especially with the two men in Alicia’s life, and I found myself questioning everything the whole way through.
Alicia really made this book for me. She’s been through so much, but her strength and determination really stood out. Watching her face her past and keep going, especially for the love of her son, was emotional and powerful. I was completely rooting for her.
And that ending… I genuinely did NOT see that twist coming. It completely caught me off guard in the best way.
This book kept me hooked, and I didn’t want to put it down. If you love psychological thrillers with strong characters and twists you won’t see coming, I’d definitely recommend it.
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: April 17th, 2026
April 30, 2026
The Waitress had an intriguing premise and definitely pulled me in at the start. K.L. Slater does a great job creating tension and that uneasy feeling that something isn’t quite right. I found myself wanting to keep reading just to figure out where everything was going.
That said, the pacing felt uneven. Some parts dragged more than I expected, while other moments that should have had a bigger impact felt rushed. I also had a hard time fully connecting with the characters... especially the main character, which made it difficult to feel invested in her choices or outcomes.
The twists were interesting, but not as shocking as I had hoped. A few were predictable, and I found myself guessing certain things early on. Still, the story held enough suspense to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, it’s a decent psychological thriller with a strong concept, but it didn’t completely deliver on the execution for me. Worth a read if you enjoy slow-burn suspense, but not my favorite from this genre.
That said, the pacing felt uneven. Some parts dragged more than I expected, while other moments that should have had a bigger impact felt rushed. I also had a hard time fully connecting with the characters... especially the main character, which made it difficult to feel invested in her choices or outcomes.
The twists were interesting, but not as shocking as I had hoped. A few were predictable, and I found myself guessing certain things early on. Still, the story held enough suspense to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, it’s a decent psychological thriller with a strong concept, but it didn’t completely deliver on the execution for me. Worth a read if you enjoy slow-burn suspense, but not my favorite from this genre.
August 18, 2026
So well written and the plot twist 🤯
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
K.L Slater never disappoints with her writing, its always a high heart rate pulsing type of read for me. I feel like everything gets dropped for the book to be read and usually at a fast pace. Thanks to Netgalley for this opportunity.
The waitress is an enticing mystery read, the main female character Alicia isnt in a good situation and its not all given away within the first few chapters, her past starts to build as the book goes on. Any reader can understand that people make mistakes and need a fresh start at something else to get themselves together, Alicia meets Trents hes the polar opposite to her and provides alot of opportunies,at first the deal Trent offers seems like the olive branch she really needs. On paper it looks great and lets be honest she doesnt really have to do that much.
But as time goes on there some hostile situations shes put in and a chance for Alicia to finish what she so badly needs to ,something thats been ruling her life for years. Then there is also Trents Ex too, and thats really bothering her.
Trents outlook on women is that he only ever sees the beauty on the outside its all about how she looks at parties, the dress, the make up , the style. Alicia isnt stupid she can see right through him, he really does only see the surface level of a women. But sometimes sparks fly between these too, you almost think its going to be a romance . Alicia's red flags start to go off, back to business it is then.
The reader is plummeted into Trents life, the rich and determined and Alicia is putting on facade to people please but at the same time trying to put her finger on something that isnt quite right, always trust that gut feeling.
Underneath all of this Alicia is a mother and she yearns for that family life, the snuggles and the bed time stories, if only she could finish what she had started then maybe she can get on with what matters the most. The guilt eats away at her most days whilst shes living her double life.
I really enjoyed this and the last few chapters really threw me but it made totally sense with the lady in the cafe i wont reveal any more !
The waitress is an enticing mystery read, the main female character Alicia isnt in a good situation and its not all given away within the first few chapters, her past starts to build as the book goes on. Any reader can understand that people make mistakes and need a fresh start at something else to get themselves together, Alicia meets Trents hes the polar opposite to her and provides alot of opportunies,at first the deal Trent offers seems like the olive branch she really needs. On paper it looks great and lets be honest she doesnt really have to do that much.
But as time goes on there some hostile situations shes put in and a chance for Alicia to finish what she so badly needs to ,something thats been ruling her life for years. Then there is also Trents Ex too, and thats really bothering her.
Trents outlook on women is that he only ever sees the beauty on the outside its all about how she looks at parties, the dress, the make up , the style. Alicia isnt stupid she can see right through him, he really does only see the surface level of a women. But sometimes sparks fly between these too, you almost think its going to be a romance . Alicia's red flags start to go off, back to business it is then.
The reader is plummeted into Trents life, the rich and determined and Alicia is putting on facade to people please but at the same time trying to put her finger on something that isnt quite right, always trust that gut feeling.
Underneath all of this Alicia is a mother and she yearns for that family life, the snuggles and the bed time stories, if only she could finish what she had started then maybe she can get on with what matters the most. The guilt eats away at her most days whilst shes living her double life.
I really enjoyed this and the last few chapters really threw me but it made totally sense with the lady in the cafe i wont reveal any more !
April 19, 2026
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley as part of a tour with Bookouture.
I love thrillers, and this was the first book that I've read by this author, but I don't think it will be my last.
The protagonist, Alicia, has taken a job at a glamorous London restaurant, The Orbit. But not everything is quite as it seems…
Alicia becomes drawn into the life of a man named Trent, and hears about his previous girlfriend Saskia, who died. Can she find out the truth about what happened to her? And what are Trent's true intentions?
I felt the suspense from the beginning, and I felt the author wrote in a way that made me want to pay close attention to the characters and everything they did. I found Trent a very enigmatic character and found myself drawn to him.
This was a nail-biter of a book that really played with my head. I started to question what was really going on, and I had no idea what was going to happen next. I felt as though if I stopped reading, I would miss something.
At times I felt there was a kind of modernised Daphne du Maurier Rebecca vibe, thinking about the characters and their situation. This book had me reading into the night.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC copy.
I love thrillers, and this was the first book that I've read by this author, but I don't think it will be my last.
The protagonist, Alicia, has taken a job at a glamorous London restaurant, The Orbit. But not everything is quite as it seems…
Alicia becomes drawn into the life of a man named Trent, and hears about his previous girlfriend Saskia, who died. Can she find out the truth about what happened to her? And what are Trent's true intentions?
I felt the suspense from the beginning, and I felt the author wrote in a way that made me want to pay close attention to the characters and everything they did. I found Trent a very enigmatic character and found myself drawn to him.
This was a nail-biter of a book that really played with my head. I started to question what was really going on, and I had no idea what was going to happen next. I felt as though if I stopped reading, I would miss something.
At times I felt there was a kind of modernised Daphne du Maurier Rebecca vibe, thinking about the characters and their situation. This book had me reading into the night.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This author is an automatic read for me. I just love her writing style, her ability to pull you in fast and keep the suspense throughout!
Alicia accepts a waitressing job in a new high rise building in London, however, will this job be as simple as smiling at guests and pouring drinks? There’s so much more going on and things could just turn a little deadly!
Alicia is quite a complex character, but the better you get to know her, the more you start rooting for her. I was very suspicious of almost everyone in this book, the author really does draw you in and builds the suspicion all the way through, dropping in little (and not so little!) twists right up until the end.
What I really liked was how unique this idea was, often you find similar ideas, just written differently, whereas this was totally different which really immerses you into the story.
I’d definitely recommend this one and if you haven’t read any of her other books, you should. I found this one very hard to put down and in the end couldn’t!!
Alicia accepts a waitressing job in a new high rise building in London, however, will this job be as simple as smiling at guests and pouring drinks? There’s so much more going on and things could just turn a little deadly!
Alicia is quite a complex character, but the better you get to know her, the more you start rooting for her. I was very suspicious of almost everyone in this book, the author really does draw you in and builds the suspicion all the way through, dropping in little (and not so little!) twists right up until the end.
What I really liked was how unique this idea was, often you find similar ideas, just written differently, whereas this was totally different which really immerses you into the story.
I’d definitely recommend this one and if you haven’t read any of her other books, you should. I found this one very hard to put down and in the end couldn’t!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Initially published as an Audible only title back in May 2025 ‘The Waitress’ is now in E book/paperback form
The story focuses on Alicia, who is a waitress at high end London events, it’s here she ‘meets’ Trent, owner of ‘The Orbit’ a luxury skyscraper…..Alicia is quickly, very quickly moving in
But is Alicia quite as she seems? And for that matter is Trent, both are hiding secrets and both could be each others downfall
Parallel to this is the story of Alicia’s Sister who is looking after Alicia’s son and is unknowingly more involved in Alicia and Trent’s lives than she can know ( and want! )
When all the threads tie up it will be a shock for them all and as the secrets spill out so the danger increases
I LOVE the authors books,always interesting characters and settings and more than readable
The story focuses on Alicia, who is a waitress at high end London events, it’s here she ‘meets’ Trent, owner of ‘The Orbit’ a luxury skyscraper…..Alicia is quickly, very quickly moving in
But is Alicia quite as she seems? And for that matter is Trent, both are hiding secrets and both could be each others downfall
Parallel to this is the story of Alicia’s Sister who is looking after Alicia’s son and is unknowingly more involved in Alicia and Trent’s lives than she can know ( and want! )
When all the threads tie up it will be a shock for them all and as the secrets spill out so the danger increases
I LOVE the authors books,always interesting characters and settings and more than readable
April 17, 2026
Yet again, The Waitress proves to be an addictive read from K.L. Slater — she truly never disappoints. Secrets unfold at a steady pace, drawing you deeper into the story as the tension builds. Alicia, the main character, is wonderfully written: sharp, observant, and able to slip into any situation by reading the people around her with ease. She knows she must do whatever it takes to support her family, and that determination drives every decision she makes.
The story starts a little slow, but once it finds its rhythm it really picks up, becoming fast-paced and hard to put down. It’s a quick, easy read that pulls you in effortlessly, constantly making you question who — and what — Alicia can truly trust. With a great plot full of twists and uncertainty, this was a thriller I enjoyed very much and would happily recommend to fans of K.L. Slater and psychological suspense.
The story starts a little slow, but once it finds its rhythm it really picks up, becoming fast-paced and hard to put down. It’s a quick, easy read that pulls you in effortlessly, constantly making you question who — and what — Alicia can truly trust. With a great plot full of twists and uncertainty, this was a thriller I enjoyed very much and would happily recommend to fans of K.L. Slater and psychological suspense.
April 17, 2026
What a read! This one gripped me from the start and kept me turning the pages right up until the end.
Alicia is being blackmailed by an unknown man and tasked with finding information on another very rich and powerful man. Although she was clever and cunning, I enjoyed getting to know her softer side as well, especially her love for her two-year-old son, Brodie.
When Alicia finds herself getting in deeper than she had planned, the tension was off the scale and there were some fantastic and unexpected twists throughout. The ending was “chef’s kiss” and perhaps a warning to wealthy and powerful men never to mess with a mum, because there are no lengths she won’t go to in order to protect her child.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, K. L. Slater and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.
Alicia is being blackmailed by an unknown man and tasked with finding information on another very rich and powerful man. Although she was clever and cunning, I enjoyed getting to know her softer side as well, especially her love for her two-year-old son, Brodie.
When Alicia finds herself getting in deeper than she had planned, the tension was off the scale and there were some fantastic and unexpected twists throughout. The ending was “chef’s kiss” and perhaps a warning to wealthy and powerful men never to mess with a mum, because there are no lengths she won’t go to in order to protect her child.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, K. L. Slater and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this book.
Right from the get go, I was intrigued how this story was going to go and it really had me gripped. The tension built with a steady pace, going back and forth between the characters. This was a good read, there weren’t any big “shock” moments for me, but that doesn’t take away from the fact it was really enjoyable
Right from the get go, I was intrigued how this story was going to go and it really had me gripped. The tension built with a steady pace, going back and forth between the characters. This was a good read, there weren’t any big “shock” moments for me, but that doesn’t take away from the fact it was really enjoyable
April 16, 2026
Again the author knocks it out of the park. Another brilliant twisty turny read from this oh so talented author.
The waitress isn't a waitress for long, in the same way that most of the characters aren't the same as they present themselves to be, for long either.
Lots of intrigue in this fast-paced read and a fantastic twist at the end.
The waitress isn't a waitress for long, in the same way that most of the characters aren't the same as they present themselves to be, for long either.
Lots of intrigue in this fast-paced read and a fantastic twist at the end.
June 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Waitress was an okay read. I really enjoyed the story but I found myself wanting more. There was no big twist or turn. The pacing was good and the chapters were short however there wasn't anything that really stood out to me. overall good read though. 3 stars
The Waitress was an okay read. I really enjoyed the story but I found myself wanting more. There was no big twist or turn. The pacing was good and the chapters were short however there wasn't anything that really stood out to me. overall good read though. 3 stars
April 26, 2026
Fast paced….but a little slow in parts. The ending though satisfactory was a bit rushed. Not her best work but still an entertaining read .
July 5, 2026
Another really good book by K L Slater.
July 24, 2026
Ooh very good book 📖 👌
August 18, 2026
This was a great thriller, fast paced and characters written really well. Read it in one go
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me hooked from Page 1. What started as a job, ended up becoming her freedom, for her, her son, and her sister. A great psychological thriller!
Thank you NetGalley, BookOuture & KL Slater for this eARC
Thank you NetGalley, BookOuture & KL Slater for this eARC
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews