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The Woman Upstairs
In this gripping novel from USA Today and #1 Kindle bestselling author Sue Fortin, a young mother’s salvation becomes the key to secrets and betrayals she was never meant to find…
Amelia is drowning. She’d give anything to soothe her new baby and snatch a few desperate hours of sleep. While her husband, Nathan, works late, Amelia sees shadows moving in the walled garden of their remote farmhouse. She locks every door at night and finds them open by morning.
Then she hires Lena, a young nanny with a miraculous way with Oscar, and everything starts to get better. It should be a relief. Instead, dread coils tighter in Amelia’s chest.
Because there are still footprints in the flowerbeds. Because Nathan is taking whispered phone calls. And because Lena watches Amelia with something that looks almost like pity, or anger. As exhaustion blurs the line between paranoia and reality, Amelia asks is motherhood breaking her? Or has she let a dangerous stranger into her home?
Amelia is drowning. She’d give anything to soothe her new baby and snatch a few desperate hours of sleep. While her husband, Nathan, works late, Amelia sees shadows moving in the walled garden of their remote farmhouse. She locks every door at night and finds them open by morning.
Then she hires Lena, a young nanny with a miraculous way with Oscar, and everything starts to get better. It should be a relief. Instead, dread coils tighter in Amelia’s chest.
Because there are still footprints in the flowerbeds. Because Nathan is taking whispered phone calls. And because Lena watches Amelia with something that looks almost like pity, or anger. As exhaustion blurs the line between paranoia and reality, Amelia asks is motherhood breaking her? Or has she let a dangerous stranger into her home?
276 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2026
About the author
Sue Fortin
17 books602 followersWriting historical fiction as Suzanne Fortin and mystery/suspense & romance as Sue Fortin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 16, 2026
ARC review. Easy 4.5 stars. Such a page turner. Just enough lies and intrigue in each chapter to keep you hooked. I flew through the pages, devouring the story. The lies/ deceit/ the narcissistic husband and underlying pain it takes to do the right thing—just brilliantly written.
I feel like the plot is on every easy to surmise quickly, which leaves a bit wanting—but your desire to know exactly HOW this will all come about feeds you to continue on—even if you already have guessed the twist.
I greatly enjoyed this story, from an author I have never read before but will happily be continuing to enjoy.
I feel like the plot is on every easy to surmise quickly, which leaves a bit wanting—but your desire to know exactly HOW this will all come about feeds you to continue on—even if you already have guessed the twist.
I greatly enjoyed this story, from an author I have never read before but will happily be continuing to enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After years of heartbreak, Amelia and Nathan finally become parents through adoption, bringing baby Oscar home in the hope of a fresh start. But it soon becomes clear that Amelia’s new life doesn’t feel entirely right. The Woman Upstairs wastes no time pulling the reader into its tension, opening with an unsettling and emotionally charged prologue.
This story was my introduction to Sue Fortin’s work and I found her writing immersive and atmospheric. This is especially clear in Amelia, as paranoia creeps in and she begins questioning her judgement, her reality, and whether she’s truly cut out for motherhood. Strange occurrences around the property, along with her husband’s secrecy, add to her growing anxieties. When a nanny, Lena, is hired and seems almost too perfect, Amelia becomes more suspicious and convinced that Lena may know more than she’s letting on.
The overall atmosphere and that lingering sense of foreboding and dread, along with Amelia’s unsettled mindset, is what worked well for me. Lena’s presence also adds to the suspicion, and the dynamic between her and Amelia kept me hooked and second-guessing what is really going on. I also appreciated the exploration of motherhood and its challenges, which made Amelia’s situation feel very relatable as a woman. Without going into spoilers, it is quite an emotional read at times and may be triggering for some readers.
I’d definitely give this author’s books another go and think this is a solid choice for fans of emotionally layered, character-driven domestic suspense and psychological thrillers.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was my introduction to Sue Fortin’s work and I found her writing immersive and atmospheric. This is especially clear in Amelia, as paranoia creeps in and she begins questioning her judgement, her reality, and whether she’s truly cut out for motherhood. Strange occurrences around the property, along with her husband’s secrecy, add to her growing anxieties. When a nanny, Lena, is hired and seems almost too perfect, Amelia becomes more suspicious and convinced that Lena may know more than she’s letting on.
The overall atmosphere and that lingering sense of foreboding and dread, along with Amelia’s unsettled mindset, is what worked well for me. Lena’s presence also adds to the suspicion, and the dynamic between her and Amelia kept me hooked and second-guessing what is really going on. I also appreciated the exploration of motherhood and its challenges, which made Amelia’s situation feel very relatable as a woman. Without going into spoilers, it is quite an emotional read at times and may be triggering for some readers.
I’d definitely give this author’s books another go and think this is a solid choice for fans of emotionally layered, character-driven domestic suspense and psychological thrillers.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | The Woman Upstairs by Sue Fortin
This psychological thriller completely consumed me from beginning to end. I started reading with the intention of only getting through a few chapters, and before I knew it, I had finished the entire book in less than 24 hours. It was absolutely impossible to put down.
Sue Fortin does an incredible job building suspense and creating an atmosphere filled with tension, unease, and constant uncertainty. From the very beginning, something felt “off,” and that lingering sense of distrust kept me completely hooked throughout the entire story. Every chapter revealed just enough information to keep me turning pages while still leaving me desperate to uncover the full truth.
What stood out most to me was how addictive the pacing was. The story moves quickly, but it never feels rushed. The twists were well-executed, surprising, and layered in a way that kept me second-guessing every character and every theory I had. Just when I thought I understood where the story was heading, another reveal completely changed everything.
The characters were compelling and realistically flawed, which added even more depth to the suspense. Sue Fortin captured complicated relationships and hidden motives so well, making the tension feel believable and emotionally charged.
Overall, The Woman Upstairs was a gripping, fast-paced, and highly addictive thriller that thriller readers will absolutely devour. If you love domestic suspense, shocking twists, unreliable characters, and books that keep you awake far later than intended, this one is definitely worth picking up.
This psychological thriller completely consumed me from beginning to end. I started reading with the intention of only getting through a few chapters, and before I knew it, I had finished the entire book in less than 24 hours. It was absolutely impossible to put down.
Sue Fortin does an incredible job building suspense and creating an atmosphere filled with tension, unease, and constant uncertainty. From the very beginning, something felt “off,” and that lingering sense of distrust kept me completely hooked throughout the entire story. Every chapter revealed just enough information to keep me turning pages while still leaving me desperate to uncover the full truth.
What stood out most to me was how addictive the pacing was. The story moves quickly, but it never feels rushed. The twists were well-executed, surprising, and layered in a way that kept me second-guessing every character and every theory I had. Just when I thought I understood where the story was heading, another reveal completely changed everything.
The characters were compelling and realistically flawed, which added even more depth to the suspense. Sue Fortin captured complicated relationships and hidden motives so well, making the tension feel believable and emotionally charged.
Overall, The Woman Upstairs was a gripping, fast-paced, and highly addictive thriller that thriller readers will absolutely devour. If you love domestic suspense, shocking twists, unreliable characters, and books that keep you awake far later than intended, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Sue Fortin and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This is my first read from Sue and it was a great introduction to her writing. It is a domestic thriller, designed to keep you caught in suspense, but honestly, I predicted the entire plot from the first chapters. Then I spent the rest of the time praying it will not be like that, because Amelia didn't deserve that.
What makes a mother a mother? Giving birth, taking care of the child, choosing the thing that is good for your child even if your heart breaks? Sue delivers us that emotional battle of a mother from almost all female characters in this book. Amelia battles with destiny not giving her what she desires most: a child. Then they can adopt a child, and the worries that she might not be a good mother overtake her. But during this book, she realizes mothers don't become good mothers from the moment they get their child, they learn together with their baby how to become that good mother. She realizes that you can be a mother even you break inside by choosing what is good for her child. And she fights to prove just that. Even if against her husband's lies and manipulations.
This book is about how mothers come together to help each other, so their child can be safe and happy. Even while uncovering heart-breaking truths that might ruin their lives and their view about the people in their life.
It's fast-paced, and easy to digest while going through the story. The ending was good and well-deserved for each of the characters.
This is my first read from Sue and it was a great introduction to her writing. It is a domestic thriller, designed to keep you caught in suspense, but honestly, I predicted the entire plot from the first chapters. Then I spent the rest of the time praying it will not be like that, because Amelia didn't deserve that.
What makes a mother a mother? Giving birth, taking care of the child, choosing the thing that is good for your child even if your heart breaks? Sue delivers us that emotional battle of a mother from almost all female characters in this book. Amelia battles with destiny not giving her what she desires most: a child. Then they can adopt a child, and the worries that she might not be a good mother overtake her. But during this book, she realizes mothers don't become good mothers from the moment they get their child, they learn together with their baby how to become that good mother. She realizes that you can be a mother even you break inside by choosing what is good for her child. And she fights to prove just that. Even if against her husband's lies and manipulations.
This book is about how mothers come together to help each other, so their child can be safe and happy. Even while uncovering heart-breaking truths that might ruin their lives and their view about the people in their life.
It's fast-paced, and easy to digest while going through the story. The ending was good and well-deserved for each of the characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Woman Upstairs was an enjoyable, compulsively readable domestic psychological thriller that kept me turning pages even after I figured out where things were heading.
The setup immediately pulled me in: an exhausted new mother, a remote farmhouse, strange happenings in the night, and the unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right. While I suspected the direction of the twist fairly early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Sometimes the fun is in watching everything unravel and seeing how the pieces come together.
This reminded me a lot of a Freida McFadden-style thriller—fast-paced, easy to digest, and difficult to put down. The characters felt believable, and the tension kept me reading, even if this wasn’t a story where I felt deeply emotionally connected to the cast.
Depth:
A solid psychological thriller with believable tension and a strong setup, though not one that dug especially deep emotionally or thematically.
Connection:
The characters felt believable enough to care what happened, but I never formed a strong emotional attachment to them.
Momentum:
High—this was an easy, compulsively readable thriller that kept me turning pages even after I suspected the twist.
For me, this lands solidly in the read-and-release category: entertaining, bingeable, and a great pick if you enjoy domestic thrillers with secrets, manipulation, and mounting paranoia. I’d definitely read more from Sue Fortin in the future.
The setup immediately pulled me in: an exhausted new mother, a remote farmhouse, strange happenings in the night, and the unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right. While I suspected the direction of the twist fairly early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Sometimes the fun is in watching everything unravel and seeing how the pieces come together.
This reminded me a lot of a Freida McFadden-style thriller—fast-paced, easy to digest, and difficult to put down. The characters felt believable, and the tension kept me reading, even if this wasn’t a story where I felt deeply emotionally connected to the cast.
Depth:
A solid psychological thriller with believable tension and a strong setup, though not one that dug especially deep emotionally or thematically.
Connection:
The characters felt believable enough to care what happened, but I never formed a strong emotional attachment to them.
Momentum:
High—this was an easy, compulsively readable thriller that kept me turning pages even after I suspected the twist.
For me, this lands solidly in the read-and-release category: entertaining, bingeable, and a great pick if you enjoy domestic thrillers with secrets, manipulation, and mounting paranoia. I’d definitely read more from Sue Fortin in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So I usually don’t reveal anything that’s not in the blurb, but there’s a large part about Amelia becoming a mother that’s omitted. This isn’t just about a nanny moving in with bad intentions (everyone sees that coming), it’s deeper and more complicated than that. And to me, it makes it more interesting than your run-of-the-mill interloper story. It’s still predictable and features yet another disappointing husband. But at least the nanny character has more of a sympathetic backstory than in most of these books.
Amelia is the wife, Nathan is the husband, and Lena is the hired nanny. There’s the beginning part that then leads to the three of them living together and the initial conflicts. Then, when a twist is revealed in the middle of the story, it goes a different way and gets more interesting. It ends with a good conclusion, but kind of rushed, where the reader’s told everything that’s been happening until that point.
I was inclined at first to give it three stars, but then I thought, there’s enough new bits added to keep it interesting, and the female characters aren’t one-dimensional like you often see. The ending shows that even when things get messy and complicated, creating extended and blended families, it’s still possible to make it work if you try hard enough and put the children first. Sweet and sappy is sometimes just what you need.
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Amelia is the wife, Nathan is the husband, and Lena is the hired nanny. There’s the beginning part that then leads to the three of them living together and the initial conflicts. Then, when a twist is revealed in the middle of the story, it goes a different way and gets more interesting. It ends with a good conclusion, but kind of rushed, where the reader’s told everything that’s been happening until that point.
I was inclined at first to give it three stars, but then I thought, there’s enough new bits added to keep it interesting, and the female characters aren’t one-dimensional like you often see. The ending shows that even when things get messy and complicated, creating extended and blended families, it’s still possible to make it work if you try hard enough and put the children first. Sweet and sappy is sometimes just what you need.
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed The Woman Upstairs overall and ended up flying through it because the short chapters and constant tension made it such an easy, bingeable read. Sue Fortin really knows how to create that unsettling domestic thriller atmosphere where you constantly feel like something is wrong. Between the exhausted new mother, the secretive husband, and the nanny who immediately feels suspicious, I was hooked from the start.
What I liked most was the sense of paranoia running through the story. I kept questioning everyone’s motives, and I appreciated that the book explored deeper themes around infertility, adoption, motherhood, and emotional manipulation alongside the suspense. It gave the story more emotional weight than a typical popcorn thriller.
While I did find the overall plot fairly predictable and guessed the main direction early on, the pacing and atmosphere still kept me fully invested. Even when I suspected where things were heading, I still wanted to see how everything would unravel. The tension, secrets, and unreliable characters made it an entertaining ride from beginning to end.
Overall, this was a fast-paced and addictive psychological thriller that fans of domestic suspense will definitely enjoy. If you like stories filled with family secrets, paranoia, manipulation, and uneasy relationships, this is a solid pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked most was the sense of paranoia running through the story. I kept questioning everyone’s motives, and I appreciated that the book explored deeper themes around infertility, adoption, motherhood, and emotional manipulation alongside the suspense. It gave the story more emotional weight than a typical popcorn thriller.
While I did find the overall plot fairly predictable and guessed the main direction early on, the pacing and atmosphere still kept me fully invested. Even when I suspected where things were heading, I still wanted to see how everything would unravel. The tension, secrets, and unreliable characters made it an entertaining ride from beginning to end.
Overall, this was a fast-paced and addictive psychological thriller that fans of domestic suspense will definitely enjoy. If you like stories filled with family secrets, paranoia, manipulation, and uneasy relationships, this is a solid pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book genuinely made me feel like I was losing my mind alongside Amelia.
There’s such a suffocating atmosphere running through the entire story and Sue Fortin builds tension SO well that I questioned everybody and everything. Every conversation felt suspicious, every little detail suddenly seemed important and I was completely hooked trying to figure out what was really going on. And Nathan? Immediate red flag 🚩😂
I also instantly distrusted Lena, although honestly I think my own protective instincts kicked in because if a stranger reached for my baby like that I’d be telling them exactly where to go 😭
This is one of those “ignore your phone and cancel your plans” thrillers because once the story gets going, it becomes impossible to stop. The tension in the final chapters was unreal and I genuinely speed read because I NEEDED answers immediately. Even though I vaguely suspected parts of the twist, I was absolutely not prepared for the full extent of what unfolded. Shocking, heartbreaking and honestly devastating in places.
What really elevated this for me though was the underlying message woven throughout the story about motherhood, instinct and women supporting women in unexpected ways.
Dark, gripping, unsettling and ridiculously bingeable. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers that completely consume you 👀🖤
Also adding this to my growing “men are walking red flags” collection 🤣
There’s such a suffocating atmosphere running through the entire story and Sue Fortin builds tension SO well that I questioned everybody and everything. Every conversation felt suspicious, every little detail suddenly seemed important and I was completely hooked trying to figure out what was really going on. And Nathan? Immediate red flag 🚩😂
I also instantly distrusted Lena, although honestly I think my own protective instincts kicked in because if a stranger reached for my baby like that I’d be telling them exactly where to go 😭
This is one of those “ignore your phone and cancel your plans” thrillers because once the story gets going, it becomes impossible to stop. The tension in the final chapters was unreal and I genuinely speed read because I NEEDED answers immediately. Even though I vaguely suspected parts of the twist, I was absolutely not prepared for the full extent of what unfolded. Shocking, heartbreaking and honestly devastating in places.
What really elevated this for me though was the underlying message woven throughout the story about motherhood, instinct and women supporting women in unexpected ways.
Dark, gripping, unsettling and ridiculously bingeable. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers that completely consume you 👀🖤
Also adding this to my growing “men are walking red flags” collection 🤣
May 30, 2026
The Woman Upstairs is a gripping, claustrophobic domestic thriller that captures the raw, disorienting vulnerability of early motherhood and twists it into something far darker. Amelia is exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate for sleep as she tries to soothe her newborn in the isolation of a remote farmhouse. Her husband works late, the nights stretch endlessly, and shadows seem to move in the walled garden when no one should be there. Doors she locks are open by morning. Footprints appear in the flowerbeds. The dread is quiet at first, then relentless.
When Lena arrives—a young nanny with an uncanny ability to calm baby Oscar—Amelia should feel relief. Instead, the unease sharpens. Nathan is taking whispered phone calls. Lena watches Amelia with something unreadable in her eyes. And Amelia’s exhaustion blurs the line between paranoia and genuine danger until she no longer knows which instincts to trust.
Sue Fortin builds tension with exquisite precision, letting the reader feel Amelia’s unraveling while keeping the truth just out of reach. Is Amelia imagining threats in the fog of sleeplessness, or has she invited something sinister into her home?
Atmospheric, unsettling, and emotionally razor‑sharp, The Woman Upstairs is a compulsive read that keeps you questioning every character’s motives right up to the final reveal.
With thanks to Sue Fortin, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
When Lena arrives—a young nanny with an uncanny ability to calm baby Oscar—Amelia should feel relief. Instead, the unease sharpens. Nathan is taking whispered phone calls. Lena watches Amelia with something unreadable in her eyes. And Amelia’s exhaustion blurs the line between paranoia and genuine danger until she no longer knows which instincts to trust.
Sue Fortin builds tension with exquisite precision, letting the reader feel Amelia’s unraveling while keeping the truth just out of reach. Is Amelia imagining threats in the fog of sleeplessness, or has she invited something sinister into her home?
Atmospheric, unsettling, and emotionally razor‑sharp, The Woman Upstairs is a compulsive read that keeps you questioning every character’s motives right up to the final reveal.
With thanks to Sue Fortin, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
May 23, 2026
The Woman Upstairs was a fast and easy domestic thriller to get through, and I ended up finishing it pretty quickly because the short chapters and constant tension kept me reading. The setup immediately pulled me in — a new mother struggling after adoption, a husband acting secretive, and a nanny who feels just unsettling enough to make you suspicious from the start.
The atmosphere was probably the strongest part for me. There’s a constant sense that something is “off,” and Sue Fortin does a good job building paranoia and keeping the reader questioning people’s motives. I also appreciated some of the deeper themes surrounding infertility, motherhood, and emotional manipulation, which gave the story a little more depth than a standard popcorn thriller.
For me though, the biggest issue was how predictable the overall plot felt. I had a strong feeling fairly early on where things were headed, so a lot of the twists didn’t land with the impact I wanted them to. I kept waiting for a bigger surprise or a final reveal that would completely change my perspective, and it never quite got there.
Overall, this was an entertaining and bingeable psychological thriller, but not one that will really stick with me long term. If you enjoy domestic suspense with family secrets, paranoia, and unreliable characters, it’s still a solid read — just not a standout one for me.
The atmosphere was probably the strongest part for me. There’s a constant sense that something is “off,” and Sue Fortin does a good job building paranoia and keeping the reader questioning people’s motives. I also appreciated some of the deeper themes surrounding infertility, motherhood, and emotional manipulation, which gave the story a little more depth than a standard popcorn thriller.
For me though, the biggest issue was how predictable the overall plot felt. I had a strong feeling fairly early on where things were headed, so a lot of the twists didn’t land with the impact I wanted them to. I kept waiting for a bigger surprise or a final reveal that would completely change my perspective, and it never quite got there.
Overall, this was an entertaining and bingeable psychological thriller, but not one that will really stick with me long term. If you enjoy domestic suspense with family secrets, paranoia, and unreliable characters, it’s still a solid read — just not a standout one for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Woman Upstairs
Author: Sue Fortin
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Psychological Domestic Thriller
Publishing Release Date: June 23, 2026
My Rating: 4.5
Pages 338
Amelia and Nathan have been married for twelve years and have been trying to start a family. After IVF did not work, they decided to adopt.
They finally become parents when they adopt baby five-month-old Oscar from the Netherlands. At first Amelia is super happy with the baby she always wanted. Only she struggles with motherhood.
They hire a nanny who immediately connects with Oscar and everything starts to get better. It should be a relief. Instead, Amelia’s new life does not feel right. Lena, the nanny seems too perfect.
Strange things have been occurring around the property; Amelia is not only suspicious but has become more convinced that Lena is involved.
This story was indeed a drama and a wild yo-yo ride for me.
By that I mean at first it was good~ then
I really didn’t like what was going on ~ then
It ended up Great!
I want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this e-Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 23, 2026
Author: Sue Fortin
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Psychological Domestic Thriller
Publishing Release Date: June 23, 2026
My Rating: 4.5
Pages 338
Amelia and Nathan have been married for twelve years and have been trying to start a family. After IVF did not work, they decided to adopt.
They finally become parents when they adopt baby five-month-old Oscar from the Netherlands. At first Amelia is super happy with the baby she always wanted. Only she struggles with motherhood.
They hire a nanny who immediately connects with Oscar and everything starts to get better. It should be a relief. Instead, Amelia’s new life does not feel right. Lena, the nanny seems too perfect.
Strange things have been occurring around the property; Amelia is not only suspicious but has become more convinced that Lena is involved.
This story was indeed a drama and a wild yo-yo ride for me.
By that I mean at first it was good~ then
I really didn’t like what was going on ~ then
It ended up Great!
I want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this e-Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 23, 2026
May 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Woman Upstairs pulled me in immediately and didn’t let go. From the very first chapter, there was an unsettling atmosphere that kept me questioning everything and everyone.
Amelia’s exhaustion, isolation, and growing suspicions felt incredibly believable, making it difficult to know what was real and what wasn’t. The tension builds steadily as strange events begin piling up, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out who could be trusted.
The characters were one of the strongest parts of this book. They felt realistic, layered, and flawed in ways that made the story even more compelling. Combined with Sue Fortin’s easy-to-follow writing style and strong pacing, this became a book I didn’t want to put down.
As a thriller reader, I’m always looking for stories that hook me early and keep me turning pages, and this one absolutely delivered. This was my first Sue Fortin novel, but it definitely won’t be my last!
Read if you love:
Domestic suspense
Isolated settings
Unreliable narrators
Family secrets
Psychological thrillers
Fast-paced page-turners
The Woman Upstairs pulled me in immediately and didn’t let go. From the very first chapter, there was an unsettling atmosphere that kept me questioning everything and everyone.
Amelia’s exhaustion, isolation, and growing suspicions felt incredibly believable, making it difficult to know what was real and what wasn’t. The tension builds steadily as strange events begin piling up, and I found myself constantly trying to figure out who could be trusted.
The characters were one of the strongest parts of this book. They felt realistic, layered, and flawed in ways that made the story even more compelling. Combined with Sue Fortin’s easy-to-follow writing style and strong pacing, this became a book I didn’t want to put down.
As a thriller reader, I’m always looking for stories that hook me early and keep me turning pages, and this one absolutely delivered. This was my first Sue Fortin novel, but it definitely won’t be my last!
Read if you love:
Domestic suspense
Isolated settings
Unreliable narrators
Family secrets
Psychological thrillers
Fast-paced page-turners
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received as an ARC through Netgalley to read and review, this is an honest review.
The Woman Upstairs is harrowing and realistically emotionally gut wrenching for the family at the heart of the story. For Amelia and Nathan, having a child through continous rounds of IVF has left both drained; turning to an adoption agency in Amsterdam seems the best and logical option at a chance of having family. And five moth old Oscar to Amelia is beyond the miracle she desires but being a mother isn't easy and she feels not even close to adequate to carey on the immensely endless job being a mother is. It doesn't help that Nathan bonds so easily with Oscar; so when an out of the blue encounter with an unknown woman that leads to a nanny that feels like a second miracle for the family. And yet... Lena's help is a godsend but Amelia get let go something feels odd about the woman: how she's around Nathan or Oscar... but slowly a devistating truth and reality for what to the outside is a perfect family - starker secrets come with tough, complicated decisions than the battles both Amelia and Nathan faced.
Highly recommended.
The Woman Upstairs is harrowing and realistically emotionally gut wrenching for the family at the heart of the story. For Amelia and Nathan, having a child through continous rounds of IVF has left both drained; turning to an adoption agency in Amsterdam seems the best and logical option at a chance of having family. And five moth old Oscar to Amelia is beyond the miracle she desires but being a mother isn't easy and she feels not even close to adequate to carey on the immensely endless job being a mother is. It doesn't help that Nathan bonds so easily with Oscar; so when an out of the blue encounter with an unknown woman that leads to a nanny that feels like a second miracle for the family. And yet... Lena's help is a godsend but Amelia get let go something feels odd about the woman: how she's around Nathan or Oscar... but slowly a devistating truth and reality for what to the outside is a perfect family - starker secrets come with tough, complicated decisions than the battles both Amelia and Nathan faced.
Highly recommended.
May 19, 2026
The premise of The Woman Upstairs by Sue Fortin had a lot of potential, but overall this one was just okay for me. The first 30% of the book was extremely slow and felt like not much was happening, which made it hard to really get invested in the story or the characters. Once things finally picked up, it became more interesting, but it took too long to get there.
I also struggled with the ending because it just didn’t feel believable to me. After all the buildup, I wanted something more realistic and satisfying. While the twists were entertaining enough, the payoff didn’t fully land.
Not a terrible read, but not one I’ll remember for long.
Thank you to netgalley for an early advanced copy for my honest review.
I also struggled with the ending because it just didn’t feel believable to me. After all the buildup, I wanted something more realistic and satisfying. While the twists were entertaining enough, the payoff didn’t fully land.
Not a terrible read, but not one I’ll remember for long.
Thank you to netgalley for an early advanced copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book. This was a quick, enjoyable read. I liked the characters, especially Amelia, and the book grabbed my interest at the beginning. It wasn't quite as suspenseful as I hoped -- the blurb description of the "isolated farmhouse" made me imagine a secluded location in the middle of nowhere, but the farmhouse is actually within walking distance of a village. There were no big twists that I didn't see coming. But despite these slight disappointments, I liked the book and read it quickly.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Woman Upstairs was a fast domestic thriller that I zipped through in one day. Though it’s fairly predictable, it was still enjoyable and engaging enough to keep me turning the pages.
I went in not knowing much about the plot so I don’t want to give too much away, but it touches on fertility and motherhood struggles in a meaningful but twisted way.
I especially liked the main character and the female relationships at the center of the story. Overall, it was a fun, bingeable read with plenty of drama, secrets, and suspicious behavior to keep things entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went in not knowing much about the plot so I don’t want to give too much away, but it touches on fertility and motherhood struggles in a meaningful but twisted way.
I especially liked the main character and the female relationships at the center of the story. Overall, it was a fun, bingeable read with plenty of drama, secrets, and suspicious behavior to keep things entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2026
I have read a number of Sue Fortin's books so had an idea of what to expect and I wasn't disappointed. The Woman Upstairs is a solid and emotional psychological thriller. It plays very much on the feelings a woman experiences around infertility, and child loss. The characters are well written and believable especially the main characters of Lena, Amelia and Nathan. Their interactions play out very realistically and move the narrative forward well. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns and the ending was also surprising. A good enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
May 30, 2026
Enjoyed!!!!! What a fast paced thriller filled with lots of secrets. It had me hooked from the very first chapter. This author really nailed the characters. Some were good hearted and others were shady as heck. You didn’t know who or what to believe. What really drew me in was the blurb. I had to find out more. Oh boy did I. Nothing was as it seemed. Now on to the ending. I loved all the twists and turns. I did see some of them coming but others I did not. This author really knows how to write a great book. I can’t wait to read her next one. I highly recommend this one and hope the next one comes out really soon.
May 31, 2026
This book was a bit of surprise! I feared that it would be a similar formula to a lot of others in this genre, but I couldn't have been more wrong! I couldn't put it down and read if from start to finish in less that a day.
Following the lives of Amelia and Nathan as they navigate the world of overseas adoption following unsuccessful IVF attempts. But of course, all is not what it seems and it's not long before the employment of a Polish nanny to help Amelia at home soon sparks a series of events that could never have been foreseen.
Thank you to Storm publishing for an advance copy of this book in return for a honest review.
A very enjoyable quick read.
Following the lives of Amelia and Nathan as they navigate the world of overseas adoption following unsuccessful IVF attempts. But of course, all is not what it seems and it's not long before the employment of a Polish nanny to help Amelia at home soon sparks a series of events that could never have been foreseen.
Thank you to Storm publishing for an advance copy of this book in return for a honest review.
A very enjoyable quick read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amelia and her husband adopt a baby from the Netherlands, and Amelia struggles with motherhood and her husband employs a nanny who immediately connects with the 5 month old.
This is a suspenseful and quite emotional novel. It is a fast read, I read it in a night. I really felt for Amelia, and even more so for Lena.
There are twists galore. It is actually hard to believe how much Amelia trusted Lena with Oscar! And how forgiving she was with her mother-in-laws antics!
I don't want to give any spoilers, but I am sure readers of Freida McFadden will enjoy this book.
4/5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a fabulous thriller that captivated me from the beginning! Ameila and Nathan plan to adopt a 6-week-old baby after she's gone through many rounds of failed IVF treatments. Nervous after getting the infant, she hires a young woman, Lena who is a nanny and takes to baby Oscar immediately. But something feels "off" and Ameila can't figure out what it is. It's my favorite kind of convoluted tale that twists and turns until the bitter end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amelia finally has her baby she always wanted -her beautiful, adopted baby boy, Oscar. When the new nanny, Lena, appears, Amelia thinks something is not right. What does Lena really want?
This book had enough twist to keep my interest – I finished it in one day. The only thing that bothered me is how Amelia didn’t put two and two together a little sooner (no spoilers). All in all, though, it was a great domestic psychological thriller – a fast-paced read!
This book had enough twist to keep my interest – I finished it in one day. The only thing that bothered me is how Amelia didn’t put two and two together a little sooner (no spoilers). All in all, though, it was a great domestic psychological thriller – a fast-paced read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was okay. It was a fast read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.
Enjoying psychological thriller that was fast paced, at times predictable but a great read. It briefly explores pregnancy struggles, loss and the difficulties to adopt, along with all the emotions that are involved. It isn't your run of the mill thriller, the characters are multidimensional and complex. They show how families can be messy and complicated but at the end things can be reconciled.
Enjoying psychological thriller that was fast paced, at times predictable but a great read. It briefly explores pregnancy struggles, loss and the difficulties to adopt, along with all the emotions that are involved. It isn't your run of the mill thriller, the characters are multidimensional and complex. They show how families can be messy and complicated but at the end things can be reconciled.
May 24, 2026
This book grabbed me from the beginning. Having experienced infertility myself, I immediately connected with Amelia and Nathan.
The story takes a lot of turns and every time you think all is well, another curveball hits you.
While it is somewhat predictable, the unraveling details compel you to keep turning the page. Full of mystery and lies, this story should not be missed!
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story takes a lot of turns and every time you think all is well, another curveball hits you.
While it is somewhat predictable, the unraveling details compel you to keep turning the page. Full of mystery and lies, this story should not be missed!
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley and storm publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
Failed pregnancies, adoption and a new nanny, what a mix for twists and turns a plenty. Our great strong fmc Amelia is unbelievable. She is put through the wringer time and time again. She is lied to, manipulated and it is gut wrenching.
This book plot had me sure i knew what would happen to find myself at a new twist time and time again. A great book that had me from beginning to end.
Failed pregnancies, adoption and a new nanny, what a mix for twists and turns a plenty. Our great strong fmc Amelia is unbelievable. She is put through the wringer time and time again. She is lied to, manipulated and it is gut wrenching.
This book plot had me sure i knew what would happen to find myself at a new twist time and time again. A great book that had me from beginning to end.
May 27, 2026
This was a one day read- cover to cover - quick read. I was intrigued from the first chapter. Although I wasn’t a big fan of the characters, I did really like how the story unfolded. The twists were numerous and the ending satisfying. Sue Fortin is a new author for me; I look forward to reading more of her titles. (3.5/5)
Thank You to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for the pre-approved access to read and enjoy this ARC.
Thank You to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for the pre-approved access to read and enjoy this ARC.
May 28, 2026
What a wild ride!!
This is my first Sue Fortin; I can honestly say it will not be my last!
This was everything I want in a book and more. I read this in two sittings, because every chapter left me on the edge of my seat needing to know what was going to happen next. It was fast-paced with constant suspense, plot twists and a great ending. It was unputdownable from start to finish!!
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this one in advance.
This is my first Sue Fortin; I can honestly say it will not be my last!
This was everything I want in a book and more. I read this in two sittings, because every chapter left me on the edge of my seat needing to know what was going to happen next. It was fast-paced with constant suspense, plot twists and a great ending. It was unputdownable from start to finish!!
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this one in advance.
May 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
This was a good, entertaining thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I figured out some of the twists pretty early, which made it frustrating watching Amelia take so long to put everything together. Nathan’s mom was absolutely unhinged, and I spent half the book yelling at the characters.
Even though I wasn’t surprised by every reveal, I still enjoyed the story and was happy Amelia got the ending she deserved.
This was a good, entertaining thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I figured out some of the twists pretty early, which made it frustrating watching Amelia take so long to put everything together. Nathan’s mom was absolutely unhinged, and I spent half the book yelling at the characters.
Even though I wasn’t surprised by every reveal, I still enjoyed the story and was happy Amelia got the ending she deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was a fantastic domestic thriller. I’m the beginning I was a little hesitant to keep going because it felt very much like so many other books I have read; however, it picked up midway through with an unbelievable twist.
I really like how the author revealed the twist and then proceeded to give readers more background on how it all happened.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fantastic domestic thriller. I’m the beginning I was a little hesitant to keep going because it felt very much like so many other books I have read; however, it picked up midway through with an unbelievable twist.
I really like how the author revealed the twist and then proceeded to give readers more background on how it all happened.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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