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Nanny Dearest
In this compulsively readable novel of domestic suspense, a young woman takes comfort in reconnecting with her childhood nanny after her father's death, until she starts to uncover secrets the nanny has been holding for twenty years.
Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then Sue meets Annie. It’s been twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue’s live-in nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own.
Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure—or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie's care.
Told in alternating points of views—Annie in the mid-'90s and Sue in the present day—this taut novel of suspense will keep readers turning the pages right up to the shocking end.
Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then Sue meets Annie. It’s been twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue’s live-in nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own.
Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure—or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie's care.
Told in alternating points of views—Annie in the mid-'90s and Sue in the present day—this taut novel of suspense will keep readers turning the pages right up to the shocking end.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2021
164 people are currently reading
8153 people want to read
About the author
Flora Collins
4 books197 followersFlora Collins was born and raised in New York City. She currently lives in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
November 17, 2021
2.5 stars, rounded up
Soooo
This one is a very, very slow starter. It features two timelines, one from the 1990s where Anneliese is Suzy's nanny, and one from the present day where the two of them reconnect. There are hints that this book isn't as straightforward as it seems, but it isn't until probably 60% into the book that things actually start to come together into a semblance of a suspenseful thriller.
At 80% I pretty much knew where everything was going, but I was still interested enough to finish. And when I finished I was shaking my head saying "what on earth did I just read?"
I had quite a few problems with this book, one main one is that I didn't like any of the characters. I thought they were all either mentally ill or narcissistic or sociopaths, and none of them believed that anyone else had their best interests at heart. For a bit I thought that Sue/Suzy was pulling herself together, but she kept going off on weird tangents of violence and bizarre behavior. I wish that the narrative had been a bit more straightforward, because the core story here isn't too bad, but I kept getting distracted by strange behavior. Like why would Sue believe this stranger over her best friends? Every page it seemed like she was getting drunk and passing out or falling asleep at Anneliese's apartment, taking her clothes off for some odd reason. For a while I thought there was something sexual going on between Sue and Anneliese, but that didn't seem to be what was happening so it made it all the more bizarre.
Warning: Yet another book with a poor kitty getting abused and killed. You'd think authors would learn by now. Leave the animal abuse out of the book, it's not necessary to use it in order to make a character into a villain. We get it anyway.
That said, if you can get past the first half of incredibly slow build up, the second half is much faster paced and has some surprises. This is Flora Collins's debut novel, and I do see promise in her writing and look forward to seeing what she can come up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Soooo
This one is a very, very slow starter. It features two timelines, one from the 1990s where Anneliese is Suzy's nanny, and one from the present day where the two of them reconnect. There are hints that this book isn't as straightforward as it seems, but it isn't until probably 60% into the book that things actually start to come together into a semblance of a suspenseful thriller.
At 80% I pretty much knew where everything was going, but I was still interested enough to finish. And when I finished I was shaking my head saying "what on earth did I just read?"
I had quite a few problems with this book, one main one is that I didn't like any of the characters. I thought they were all either mentally ill or narcissistic or sociopaths, and none of them believed that anyone else had their best interests at heart. For a bit I thought that Sue/Suzy was pulling herself together, but she kept going off on weird tangents of violence and bizarre behavior. I wish that the narrative had been a bit more straightforward, because the core story here isn't too bad, but I kept getting distracted by strange behavior. Like why would Sue believe this stranger over her best friends? Every page it seemed like she was getting drunk and passing out or falling asleep at Anneliese's apartment, taking her clothes off for some odd reason. For a while I thought there was something sexual going on between Sue and Anneliese, but that didn't seem to be what was happening so it made it all the more bizarre.
Warning: Yet another book with a poor kitty getting abused and killed. You'd think authors would learn by now. Leave the animal abuse out of the book, it's not necessary to use it in order to make a character into a villain. We get it anyway.
That said, if you can get past the first half of incredibly slow build up, the second half is much faster paced and has some surprises. This is Flora Collins's debut novel, and I do see promise in her writing and look forward to seeing what she can come up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
October 10, 2021
4-5 stars
In 1996 Anneliese becomes Suzy Keller’s nanny. The Keller’s are a wealthy family with Suzy’s father being a best selling author and her mother a successful interior designer. Anneliese soon becomes an integral part of the family. In the present day Anneliese and Suzy meet accidentally in New York, Suzy is deeply grieving the loss of her father who raises her after her mother’s death many years ago. Suzy is thrilled to see Annie after all these years but should she be??? The storyline alternates between 1996 and today which works well.
This is a good slow burner domestic/psychological thriller with the pace totally suiting the unfolding drama which is full of tension and suspenseful moments. It’s extremely well written, utterly absorbing and raises a multitude of emotions through the quality of the prose. The dynamics we witness are fascinating and there are a whole host of those such as Suzy and Annie, Suzy and her parents, Annie and Suzy’s parents and within her own family which is full of sadness, pain and moments when you shudder. The characterisation is very good, some remain enigmatic until the end which I really like and your thoughts are in flux about them almost from the start. Suzy’s varying emotions are captured well such as her confusion alternating with love, followed by slivers of whole chunks of doubt which are smoothed over adeptly. It’s a toxic, gripping tale with a finale you don’t see coming. My only slight negative is there is some repetition of Suzy’s thoughts from time to time.
Overall, if you like psychological thrillers then it’s worth giving this one a try as it’s a page turner. Flora Collins is a must read author for me from now on.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
In 1996 Anneliese becomes Suzy Keller’s nanny. The Keller’s are a wealthy family with Suzy’s father being a best selling author and her mother a successful interior designer. Anneliese soon becomes an integral part of the family. In the present day Anneliese and Suzy meet accidentally in New York, Suzy is deeply grieving the loss of her father who raises her after her mother’s death many years ago. Suzy is thrilled to see Annie after all these years but should she be??? The storyline alternates between 1996 and today which works well.
This is a good slow burner domestic/psychological thriller with the pace totally suiting the unfolding drama which is full of tension and suspenseful moments. It’s extremely well written, utterly absorbing and raises a multitude of emotions through the quality of the prose. The dynamics we witness are fascinating and there are a whole host of those such as Suzy and Annie, Suzy and her parents, Annie and Suzy’s parents and within her own family which is full of sadness, pain and moments when you shudder. The characterisation is very good, some remain enigmatic until the end which I really like and your thoughts are in flux about them almost from the start. Suzy’s varying emotions are captured well such as her confusion alternating with love, followed by slivers of whole chunks of doubt which are smoothed over adeptly. It’s a toxic, gripping tale with a finale you don’t see coming. My only slight negative is there is some repetition of Suzy’s thoughts from time to time.
Overall, if you like psychological thrillers then it’s worth giving this one a try as it’s a page turner. Flora Collins is a must read author for me from now on.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
3.5 stars.
This promising debut novel revolves around a woman who reconnects with her childhood nanny.
I was captivated by this storyline immediately and felt invested in the main characters situation. I enjoyed the flashbacks to the main characters childhood when she was taken care of by her nanny. The plot flowed back and forth between timelines smoothly and kept me curious with how it would conclude.
The author does a great job building suspense and foreboding tension. Evil seemed to be lurking within everyone and I didn’t know who was being truthful. There was a sense of creepiness throughout the book that kept me on edge.
The novel lost steam for me around halfway and had some plot points that felt far-fetched and took away from my connection. Things picked back up in the last quarter to the shocking conclusion that left me unsettled and somewhat confused (perhaps I missed something?).
Warning: there are scenes with animal abuse/killing which will deter many readers. Also, the author uses some shocking and “non-sugarcoated” descriptive detail that some readers may find offensive or “too much”.
Overall, this was a creepy and suspenseful story. Though it wasn’t a favourite of mine, it was entertaining from start to finish. Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy!
This promising debut novel revolves around a woman who reconnects with her childhood nanny.
I was captivated by this storyline immediately and felt invested in the main characters situation. I enjoyed the flashbacks to the main characters childhood when she was taken care of by her nanny. The plot flowed back and forth between timelines smoothly and kept me curious with how it would conclude.
The author does a great job building suspense and foreboding tension. Evil seemed to be lurking within everyone and I didn’t know who was being truthful. There was a sense of creepiness throughout the book that kept me on edge.
The novel lost steam for me around halfway and had some plot points that felt far-fetched and took away from my connection. Things picked back up in the last quarter to the shocking conclusion that left me unsettled and somewhat confused (perhaps I missed something?).
Warning: there are scenes with animal abuse/killing which will deter many readers. Also, the author uses some shocking and “non-sugarcoated” descriptive detail that some readers may find offensive or “too much”.
Overall, this was a creepy and suspenseful story. Though it wasn’t a favourite of mine, it was entertaining from start to finish. Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy!
November 29, 2021
I love my creepy nanny books..... ahem well who doesn't?!
Nanny Dearest where do I start with this one? This was quite the slow burn of a psychological thriller. I was struggling a little bit to connect in the beginning but the second half BAM had me turning those pages!!
Talk about dysfunctional and dark relationships. Oh I can't get enough of this. Obsession, creepy, dark, and eerie at it's finest here. Flora does an amazing job throwing those curve balls at her readers and throwing us off little by little ;).
I really was shocked by Annie's thoughts and boy was she a hard character to like sometimes.... yikes haha.
I am impressed by Flora considering this a debut novel and am definitely looking forward to what she has up her sleeve next!
Bring on the dark, dysfunctional, and creepy reads Collins ;).
Overall, 3.75/5 stars.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade publishing for my arc
Nanny Dearest where do I start with this one? This was quite the slow burn of a psychological thriller. I was struggling a little bit to connect in the beginning but the second half BAM had me turning those pages!!
Talk about dysfunctional and dark relationships. Oh I can't get enough of this. Obsession, creepy, dark, and eerie at it's finest here. Flora does an amazing job throwing those curve balls at her readers and throwing us off little by little ;).
I really was shocked by Annie's thoughts and boy was she a hard character to like sometimes.... yikes haha.
I am impressed by Flora considering this a debut novel and am definitely looking forward to what she has up her sleeve next!
Bring on the dark, dysfunctional, and creepy reads Collins ;).
Overall, 3.75/5 stars.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade publishing for my arc
October 10, 2021
Everyone should buy and read it! Though I may be slightly biased :)
December 17, 2021
Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins is a thriller novel. The story in this book is told by alternating the point of view between two of the characters and also in a dual timeline format with one character in the present day and the other in the past.
Sue Keller lost her mother at an early age and was raised by her single father. Now that Sue is in her twenties though she has become an orphan with her father also now having passed away. One day Sue runs into a woman who seems to know her and claims to have once been her nanny. Sue has vague memories of Annie from her childhood and decides that it wouldn’t hurt to get to know her better now.
For me reading Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins was entertaining but I found one thing to bring my rating down to three and a half stars and that was I felt I knew what was coming the entire time. Perhaps it’s just me again but in the end I didn’t find anything that surprised me to really think of it as suspenseful. The story did flow well and engage me though as I read so I did enjoy it overall but just wished for more surprise.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Sue Keller lost her mother at an early age and was raised by her single father. Now that Sue is in her twenties though she has become an orphan with her father also now having passed away. One day Sue runs into a woman who seems to know her and claims to have once been her nanny. Sue has vague memories of Annie from her childhood and decides that it wouldn’t hurt to get to know her better now.
For me reading Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins was entertaining but I found one thing to bring my rating down to three and a half stars and that was I felt I knew what was coming the entire time. Perhaps it’s just me again but in the end I didn’t find anything that surprised me to really think of it as suspenseful. The story did flow well and engage me though as I read so I did enjoy it overall but just wished for more surprise.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 13, 2022
3.5/5
Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins is a really hard novel for me to nail down my feelings for. On one hand, I was basically unable to put it down and was thoroughly engrossed in what was happening, but on the other hand, it ended up falling a little flat for me. That being said, I still think it is a strong debut, and I love that Collins drew on personal experience and her family history to create this book. It really makes me wonder what parts of it are from her life, and made it seem that much more mysterious. I noticed that the book is being marketed as domestic suspense and I would definitely say that is accurate. While it has an air of mystery, I wouldn't call it a mystery and I wouldn't call it a thriller either. There are plenty of tense moments though, and I enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded. The end is what kind of threw me off, and it is what left me feeling a little meh about it.
I honestly think Nanny Dearest is a great book to go into as blind as possible, and I was glad I didn't read the synopsis again prior to reading it. The majority is a pretty slow burn, but once you get towards the end things picked up. There is a trigger for animal abuse, but it wasn't as descriptive as a lot of other books I've read and would be easy to skip over. It is only a small instance of the book, and this is a huge trigger for me, but I was able to handle it due to the way Collins wrote it. I do think that the audiobook is the way to go here as it is narrated by Brittany Pressley & Reba Buhr, and Pressley is one of my favorite narrators. Both she and Buhr did a really great job drawing me into the story, and I think it worked even better for me because of the two of them. I would recommend Nanny Dearest to readers of domestic drama who don't mind books that defy believability, and I would gladly read whatever Collins writes next.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins is a really hard novel for me to nail down my feelings for. On one hand, I was basically unable to put it down and was thoroughly engrossed in what was happening, but on the other hand, it ended up falling a little flat for me. That being said, I still think it is a strong debut, and I love that Collins drew on personal experience and her family history to create this book. It really makes me wonder what parts of it are from her life, and made it seem that much more mysterious. I noticed that the book is being marketed as domestic suspense and I would definitely say that is accurate. While it has an air of mystery, I wouldn't call it a mystery and I wouldn't call it a thriller either. There are plenty of tense moments though, and I enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded. The end is what kind of threw me off, and it is what left me feeling a little meh about it.
I honestly think Nanny Dearest is a great book to go into as blind as possible, and I was glad I didn't read the synopsis again prior to reading it. The majority is a pretty slow burn, but once you get towards the end things picked up. There is a trigger for animal abuse, but it wasn't as descriptive as a lot of other books I've read and would be easy to skip over. It is only a small instance of the book, and this is a huge trigger for me, but I was able to handle it due to the way Collins wrote it. I do think that the audiobook is the way to go here as it is narrated by Brittany Pressley & Reba Buhr, and Pressley is one of my favorite narrators. Both she and Buhr did a really great job drawing me into the story, and I think it worked even better for me because of the two of them. I would recommend Nanny Dearest to readers of domestic drama who don't mind books that defy believability, and I would gladly read whatever Collins writes next.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 9, 2021
If you loved the thrill of Gillian Flynn's novels, this book is an absolute MUST READ.
Nanny Dearest follows the story of Sue Keller, a grief-stricken twenty-something who is mourning the death of her father, and runs into her childhood nanny, Annelise Whittaker. They grow close, as Sue is eager to have a surrogate parent in her life, but it's all threatened when Sue starts to uncover the truth around Annie's dismissal. The novel is told in two perspectives -- Sue's present day and Annie in the past, when she was nannying for Sue.
This book was a heart-racing page turner that's certain to keep audiences hooked until the very last page. The last 100 pages were especially gripping, and the last chapter had me holding tight for my dog because I was so scared!!
Collins has an expert demand of language, painting evocative portraits of the Keller household. The characters are exceptionally well drawn, aided by the way that Collins prods their psyche. Collins is an expert at the macabre and creepy, but in a way that doesn't feel too over the top. Even though the characters may do things that most people wouldn't, I believed every word of it. These are characters that are all unwell and disturbed in some way, yet we still feel exceptional empathy for all of them. That, in my mind, is the sign of a master author -- someone who can create characters that both elicit fear and sympathy from us. Don't wait on this author--she is going to be the next big name in thrillers!
Nanny Dearest follows the story of Sue Keller, a grief-stricken twenty-something who is mourning the death of her father, and runs into her childhood nanny, Annelise Whittaker. They grow close, as Sue is eager to have a surrogate parent in her life, but it's all threatened when Sue starts to uncover the truth around Annie's dismissal. The novel is told in two perspectives -- Sue's present day and Annie in the past, when she was nannying for Sue.
This book was a heart-racing page turner that's certain to keep audiences hooked until the very last page. The last 100 pages were especially gripping, and the last chapter had me holding tight for my dog because I was so scared!!
Collins has an expert demand of language, painting evocative portraits of the Keller household. The characters are exceptionally well drawn, aided by the way that Collins prods their psyche. Collins is an expert at the macabre and creepy, but in a way that doesn't feel too over the top. Even though the characters may do things that most people wouldn't, I believed every word of it. These are characters that are all unwell and disturbed in some way, yet we still feel exceptional empathy for all of them. That, in my mind, is the sign of a master author -- someone who can create characters that both elicit fear and sympathy from us. Don't wait on this author--she is going to be the next big name in thrillers!
November 25, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then she meets Annie. It's bee twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue's live-in-nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own. Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's time in the Keller house all those years ago.
Annie had been Sue's nanny in the 1990's. The story has a dual timeline from the 90's to the present day. Annie meets Sue again after the recent death of Sue's father. Annie wants to spend more time with Sue.
The pace varies throughout from slow to steady in this domestic/psychological thriller. The second part of the book is the better part. There were parts that dragged out. There's some good twists, it's a bit creepy and the plotline is believable. This is a very good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #QuercusBooks and the author #FloraCollins for my ARC of #NannyDearest in exchange for an honest review.
Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then she meets Annie. It's bee twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue's live-in-nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own. Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's time in the Keller house all those years ago.
Annie had been Sue's nanny in the 1990's. The story has a dual timeline from the 90's to the present day. Annie meets Sue again after the recent death of Sue's father. Annie wants to spend more time with Sue.
The pace varies throughout from slow to steady in this domestic/psychological thriller. The second part of the book is the better part. There were parts that dragged out. There's some good twists, it's a bit creepy and the plotline is believable. This is a very good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #QuercusBooks and the author #FloraCollins for my ARC of #NannyDearest in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2021
Oh man, I wish I had really good things to say about Nanny Dearest, but aside from the superb writing, this one was a flop for me. I wasn't enamored with any characters, the real drama didn't start until the very end, and the ending left me feeling like, huh, what was the point of the story if it was just to take us back to square one? The plot isn't unique and while Collins can write beautiful, detailed descriptions and believable dialogue, there wasn't anything special to this one.
I think others might enjoy this, but I didn't.
I think others might enjoy this, but I didn't.
December 5, 2021
A destructive, symbiotic relationship between a nanny and the child she once cared for unravels in spectacular fashion. Sneaky and multi-layered, a slow-burn with an unexpected ending. One of my Top 5 New Releases for November ’21.
December 13, 2021
Ho hum, animal abuse. An author who has to rely on cruelty and disgust to get attention really needs to rethink their vocation.
December 6, 2021
So thankful for HTP Books and Flora Collins for my copy of Nanny Dearest. It is about Sue, a woman who is orphaned in her 20s when she meets Annie, her old Nanny. Sue is so excited to have Annie back in her life, but as she starts to find out more about her past she realizes Annie disappeared for a reason. She is scared for the new children Annie is nannying for, and isn’t sure anyone is safe.
Thoughts: I think there are so many books about nannies. This book starts off slow and the characters weren’t very likable to me. The characters did things that didn’t make sense and there were quite a few plot holes. There was also animal abuse in this book which I didn’t like at all. I did enjoy the duel timelines but this book wasn’t one of my favorites. 2.5 stars.
Thoughts: I think there are so many books about nannies. This book starts off slow and the characters weren’t very likable to me. The characters did things that didn’t make sense and there were quite a few plot holes. There was also animal abuse in this book which I didn’t like at all. I did enjoy the duel timelines but this book wasn’t one of my favorites. 2.5 stars.
August 26, 2021
A young woman named Sue, morning the recent loss of her father, suddenly runs into a woman who introduces herself as Anneliese, telling Sue that she was her nanny when she was younger. They strike up a conversation and quickly become good friends. Sue loves hearing stories from Anneliese, stories about when Sue was little and the fun that she and her nanny Anneliese had all those years ago, making memories and having a close bond and connection to one another many years ago. Is Anneliese who she says she is? Are the stories she is telling Sue 100% truth or is she embellishing some of the stories to her favour?
I enjoyed reading the alternating POV's in this novel. Parts are told from Sue's POV in the present day, and parts are told from Annie's POV in the past when she was the family's live-in nanny. There are many shocking twists and revelations, many that I didn't see coming, especially near the end. There are a lot of thrills and suspense in this novel to have you hooked as you flip through the chapters.
A great novel that I recommend you read.
I enjoyed reading the alternating POV's in this novel. Parts are told from Sue's POV in the present day, and parts are told from Annie's POV in the past when she was the family's live-in nanny. There are many shocking twists and revelations, many that I didn't see coming, especially near the end. There are a lot of thrills and suspense in this novel to have you hooked as you flip through the chapters.
A great novel that I recommend you read.
September 27, 2021
I received an ARC of this book.
I tried with this book, but I just did not like it. It was very slow, the characters were all unlikable, and by the end I just got to the point where I didn't care what happened to any of them. There were some things that were described in completely unnecessary, almost gory, detail, while other things that should have been important to the plot were left just hanging. I guess the reader is supposed to draw his or her own conclusions, but that only works if the reader cares enough about the characters and the story to spend time thinking about them once he or she is finished reading. And sadly, I did not. If a book is going to be "slow-moving," it needs to create the kind of atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged despite the lack of action. This book did not have that.
Annelise was fascinating, but completely unsympathetic. I tried to root for Suzy, but by the end I was just fed up with her. Every time I put the book down, I had no real feeling of urgency to return to the book. And I did not like the ending at all. I would not recommend this book.
I tried with this book, but I just did not like it. It was very slow, the characters were all unlikable, and by the end I just got to the point where I didn't care what happened to any of them. There were some things that were described in completely unnecessary, almost gory, detail, while other things that should have been important to the plot were left just hanging. I guess the reader is supposed to draw his or her own conclusions, but that only works if the reader cares enough about the characters and the story to spend time thinking about them once he or she is finished reading. And sadly, I did not. If a book is going to be "slow-moving," it needs to create the kind of atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged despite the lack of action. This book did not have that.
Annelise was fascinating, but completely unsympathetic. I tried to root for Suzy, but by the end I was just fed up with her. Every time I put the book down, I had no real feeling of urgency to return to the book. And I did not like the ending at all. I would not recommend this book.
April 7, 2022
The book was well written and the author develops the two main characters throughout the book as Annie and Sue narrate. But till near the end, I felt like the story never moved along. The ending was dramatic but didn't feel realistic. I've never had a cat but didn't like what happened to the one in the story.
February 11, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
It is a microcosm of motherhood here, women huddled in clusters around the edge of the playground, shaking out Goldfish, handing over juice boxes, wiping away dirt from little hands… Men are so absent, you would forget they existed at all.
But there’s something wrong with me, Suzy. Something very, very wrong.
My Review:
This was a disturbingly realistic and disquieting piece packed with warped and fractured characters who were all rather lacking in the areas of mental health and likable personalities. The writing was insightful and perceptive with a constant thrum of apprehension and risk of discovery, but the discovery of exactly what was always in question. I was deeply curious and invested in their tale and had developed multiple theories as I read, and all of them were wrong. How I love it when that happens!
The tale unraveled slowly while ratcheting up the tension, which was present and tautly held from the first page to the last word. I was impatient at times when the storylines appeared to falter or veer in other directions although I later realized the author was weaving in additional threads as the characters became increasingly unhinged. But that ending has left me tapping my little foot while I contemplate my feelings, I’m quite unsettled and bordering on distressed. I have a feeling I will be ruminating on this one for some time.
It is a microcosm of motherhood here, women huddled in clusters around the edge of the playground, shaking out Goldfish, handing over juice boxes, wiping away dirt from little hands… Men are so absent, you would forget they existed at all.
But there’s something wrong with me, Suzy. Something very, very wrong.
My Review:
This was a disturbingly realistic and disquieting piece packed with warped and fractured characters who were all rather lacking in the areas of mental health and likable personalities. The writing was insightful and perceptive with a constant thrum of apprehension and risk of discovery, but the discovery of exactly what was always in question. I was deeply curious and invested in their tale and had developed multiple theories as I read, and all of them were wrong. How I love it when that happens!
The tale unraveled slowly while ratcheting up the tension, which was present and tautly held from the first page to the last word. I was impatient at times when the storylines appeared to falter or veer in other directions although I later realized the author was weaving in additional threads as the characters became increasingly unhinged. But that ending has left me tapping my little foot while I contemplate my feelings, I’m quite unsettled and bordering on distressed. I have a feeling I will be ruminating on this one for some time.
November 15, 2021
OoOoOOoO this debut domestic suspense novel has been wanting to REALLY like it but finding myself a bit puzzled on how I actually feel overall. The first half is pretty slow but had my interest enough to see where it was going to go... and I already had a feeling, which turned out to be right, so at a certain point it was a matter of seeing HOW we were going to get there.
I love obsession, bat shit crazy, domestic reads and this one is definitely that. But the crazy one isn't just the antagonist here. Now, I've said it over and over again... I loooooove to hate on some characters. But uff, I just couldn't get into what was happening or WHY Suzy was acting as she was. I did enjoy the dual timelines and the slow showing of the how and whys... even if they didn't *quite* make a whole lot of sense. BUT, I also kinda like how wicked it was and how this very interesting relationship affected Suzy so much. Hrm... I question everyone in this dang book except for maybe the taxi driver at the end. Maybe.
I suppose what the book really is touching on is how nurture, in any form, can absolutely make a difference in a child's life. And how grief is such a hard emotion to roller coaster through. Who is really dependent upon who and why is everyone around that knew what was going on just so damned complacent? I HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
Very mixed feelings here but I can say that I'm a Collins fan and can't wait to see where her writing goes from here. As a debut, I like it! Let's see what else she was for us readers - I really can't wait.
I love obsession, bat shit crazy, domestic reads and this one is definitely that. But the crazy one isn't just the antagonist here. Now, I've said it over and over again... I loooooove to hate on some characters. But uff, I just couldn't get into what was happening or WHY Suzy was acting as she was. I did enjoy the dual timelines and the slow showing of the how and whys... even if they didn't *quite* make a whole lot of sense. BUT, I also kinda like how wicked it was and how this very interesting relationship affected Suzy so much. Hrm... I question everyone in this dang book except for maybe the taxi driver at the end. Maybe.
I suppose what the book really is touching on is how nurture, in any form, can absolutely make a difference in a child's life. And how grief is such a hard emotion to roller coaster through. Who is really dependent upon who and why is everyone around that knew what was going on just so damned complacent? I HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
Very mixed feelings here but I can say that I'm a Collins fan and can't wait to see where her writing goes from here. As a debut, I like it! Let's see what else she was for us readers - I really can't wait.
June 23, 2022
Huh? That was it? It’s nothing but like reading a diary of a stranger complaining about her issues of depression and an ex nanny obsessed with her. And most of the characters name are easily forgettable. I keep trying to recall who the author was talking about.
I was waiting for a twist and there was nothing. A waste of time read. The author could’ve surprised us by revealing that she was the nanny’s real child. But nothing, no twists whatsoever. I’m so mad i spent time reading this book.
I was waiting for a twist and there was nothing. A waste of time read. The author could’ve surprised us by revealing that she was the nanny’s real child. But nothing, no twists whatsoever. I’m so mad i spent time reading this book.
November 4, 2021
When Sue's father dies, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties and practically all alone. Until she meets Annie, her nanny when she was younger. The connection is instantaneous because Sue craves the love that she never had when she was a young child when her mother died at a young age. And Annie is more than willing to give her what she needs, after all, she practically mothered Sue. Slowly, Sue begins to uncover that Annie is hiding secrets from her, and she isn't the person she thinks she is. Told from Annie's past diary entries as a nanny and Sue's in the present, Nanny Dearest is guaranteed to draw you in till the very last page.
Once again, we have an amazing new debut novel on our hands by the wonderful Flora Collins. What a wonderfully, dark, and twisty one this is! This domestic thriller is not one that focuses so much on the wife/husband dynamic, but it's more about the relationship with Annie and Sue as nanny and child. Their relationship is one that is so complex, I don't think I still fully understand. It'll make you think for sure.
This is more of a slow burn thriller, but there's some really good twists all throughout the book, so you won't have to wait till the very end. The dual perspective was so interesting to read because we got to see Anna's point of view and her family life in the past, then we move seamlessly into Sue's in the present tense. I thought that Collins did a very good job with layering her novel. While this functions as a domestic thriller, it is also one about family life.
The final twist was SO GOOD! After reading the final page, I gasped and I didn't know how to react. I can say that I was not expecting it to end that way in the slightest. It's more on the open-ended side in which it makes you wonder what happens next. But it's absolutely brilliant! Congratulations Flora Collins on a wonderful debut and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
Thank you to HarperCollins and Mira Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Once again, we have an amazing new debut novel on our hands by the wonderful Flora Collins. What a wonderfully, dark, and twisty one this is! This domestic thriller is not one that focuses so much on the wife/husband dynamic, but it's more about the relationship with Annie and Sue as nanny and child. Their relationship is one that is so complex, I don't think I still fully understand. It'll make you think for sure.
This is more of a slow burn thriller, but there's some really good twists all throughout the book, so you won't have to wait till the very end. The dual perspective was so interesting to read because we got to see Anna's point of view and her family life in the past, then we move seamlessly into Sue's in the present tense. I thought that Collins did a very good job with layering her novel. While this functions as a domestic thriller, it is also one about family life.
The final twist was SO GOOD! After reading the final page, I gasped and I didn't know how to react. I can say that I was not expecting it to end that way in the slightest. It's more on the open-ended side in which it makes you wonder what happens next. But it's absolutely brilliant! Congratulations Flora Collins on a wonderful debut and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
Thank you to HarperCollins and Mira Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
October 17, 2021
Sue Keller is devastated when her father suddenly dies. Her mother had past away some years ago, so she is now missing both parents and only in her mid-twenties. Right when Sue most needed a friend, Annie comes back into her life. Annie was Sue’s live-in nanny in her family house about 20 years prior. They were close back then and quickly rekindle their relationship and start to spend a lot of time together. Sue starts to learn some disturbing details about Annie’s time as a nanny in their home. Will she be able to uncover the mystery set around her departure all those years ago?
I was highly intrigued by the premise of this book by Flora Collins. This was a slow burn psychological thriller that took me a little time to get into. But once I was into it, it was a great story. The multiple time lines kept my attention and led to a good ending!
Many thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
I was highly intrigued by the premise of this book by Flora Collins. This was a slow burn psychological thriller that took me a little time to get into. But once I was into it, it was a great story. The multiple time lines kept my attention and led to a good ending!
Many thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
December 17, 2021
Sue Keller is in her early twenties when her father dies, and struggling with grief she bumps into the person in her life she feels can help her: her nanny, Annie Whittaker. Sue's mother died too, several years ago, and Annie was the Keller's live-in nanny at their large house. Annie and Sue had a strong bond back then and Sue is very pleased to have Annie back in her life again, but then Sue starts to uncover the truth around Annie's rapid departure...
This slow-burn thriller contains some really good twists artfully dotted throughout the book, so the reader doesn't need to wait till the end for shocks and "my goodness" moments. Flora Collins gives the novel a real sense of time and place and brings stacks of personality to her characters, especial in the case of Sue. The story is told in different time frames; Annie's past diary entries from the 1990s and Sue in the present day. The author does a great job building the suspense and feelings 0f foreboding. Evil seemed to be lurking just around every corner and I was constantly pondering who if anyone was being truthful. A true sense of creepiness was prevalent throughout the greater part of the book that kept me on edge. A fantastic début I'm pleased to have read, I'll be looking out for more from Flora Collins going forward.
A special thank you to MIRA and the author for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request received via NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.
This slow-burn thriller contains some really good twists artfully dotted throughout the book, so the reader doesn't need to wait till the end for shocks and "my goodness" moments. Flora Collins gives the novel a real sense of time and place and brings stacks of personality to her characters, especial in the case of Sue. The story is told in different time frames; Annie's past diary entries from the 1990s and Sue in the present day. The author does a great job building the suspense and feelings 0f foreboding. Evil seemed to be lurking just around every corner and I was constantly pondering who if anyone was being truthful. A true sense of creepiness was prevalent throughout the greater part of the book that kept me on edge. A fantastic début I'm pleased to have read, I'll be looking out for more from Flora Collins going forward.
A special thank you to MIRA and the author for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request received via NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.
December 29, 2021
I really wanted to like this. I really really did. Debut. Suspense. Fun cover. Naughty nanny. Lots of potential.
But. It was kinda boring. Slow start and it never picked up and it didn’t have any twists. Predictable.
2.5 ⭐️
But. It was kinda boring. Slow start and it never picked up and it didn’t have any twists. Predictable.
2.5 ⭐️
November 24, 2021
3.5/5
Dual narrators in a audiobook always works well for me and when one of those narrators is Brittany Pressley I’m all in. She’s such a prolific narrator, I’ve listened to SO many of her books and she’s amazing and I truly believe she saved this one for me. Pretty sure had I read the print copy my rating would actually be lower. Anyway, this one starts out a little slow with Sue reconnecting with her childhood nanny, Annie and you hear from Sue in present day and Annie in the past during her time as a nanny. I’m a sucker for all things obsession in a thriller and the author delivered with that aspect for sure, it was quite the unsettling story. Parts did feel slightly repetitive though and it kinda stalled the plot, but I stayed mostly engaged anyway. Towards the end things picked up a little and while some of the things that were happening left me scratching my head, I was entertained. The actual ending was kinda bat shit, but sometimes that’s ok with me. Overall this one was fine, nothing special but a decent listen for me.
Dual narrators in a audiobook always works well for me and when one of those narrators is Brittany Pressley I’m all in. She’s such a prolific narrator, I’ve listened to SO many of her books and she’s amazing and I truly believe she saved this one for me. Pretty sure had I read the print copy my rating would actually be lower. Anyway, this one starts out a little slow with Sue reconnecting with her childhood nanny, Annie and you hear from Sue in present day and Annie in the past during her time as a nanny. I’m a sucker for all things obsession in a thriller and the author delivered with that aspect for sure, it was quite the unsettling story. Parts did feel slightly repetitive though and it kinda stalled the plot, but I stayed mostly engaged anyway. Towards the end things picked up a little and while some of the things that were happening left me scratching my head, I was entertained. The actual ending was kinda bat shit, but sometimes that’s ok with me. Overall this one was fine, nothing special but a decent listen for me.
July 1, 2021
This was an excellent domestic thriller. Although at times I felt there were some unnecessary repetitiveness, it was a thoroughly easy read.
Sue has recently lost her father, already having lost her mother years ago, Sue is now alone. Sue soon takes comfort in reconnecting with her childhood nanny and the two become inseparable. However, Nanny Annie has been holding on to some secrets from the past. As these revelations begin to surface Sue is realizing that not everything is as it seems.
This novel is dual narrated which I absolutely love! It is also set in two different time periods, Annie narrates the 90s and Sue narrates in present day. Filled with twists and turns and an ending you wont see coming! Buckle your seats folks, you are in for a wild ride
Sue has recently lost her father, already having lost her mother years ago, Sue is now alone. Sue soon takes comfort in reconnecting with her childhood nanny and the two become inseparable. However, Nanny Annie has been holding on to some secrets from the past. As these revelations begin to surface Sue is realizing that not everything is as it seems.
This novel is dual narrated which I absolutely love! It is also set in two different time periods, Annie narrates the 90s and Sue narrates in present day. Filled with twists and turns and an ending you wont see coming! Buckle your seats folks, you are in for a wild ride
November 10, 2021
Wow, what an emotional and engaging read! I really loved how it was told from dual points of view while alternating between past and present. I strongly empathized with Sue. Annie's behavior and thought processes were so disturbing that I felt repelled by her. The ending really shocked me.
November 29, 2021
After recently reading and enjoying Nanny Needed, I knew I had to check this one out and it was definitely an unsettling debut!
This one hauntingly explored the dark side of nannying and dives deep into the obsessive and toxic relationships that can develop.
While I throughly enjoyed the alternating POVs of Annie in the past and Sue in the present, I found this one just a little too slow for me and I was left wanting just a little more.
This one hauntingly explored the dark side of nannying and dives deep into the obsessive and toxic relationships that can develop.
While I throughly enjoyed the alternating POVs of Annie in the past and Sue in the present, I found this one just a little too slow for me and I was left wanting just a little more.
June 3, 2023
Saw this one at the library with no prior knowledge of it except for the blurb on the back. It was unexpectedly better than I imagined.
Most of the plot feels like a build toward a tense ending, which there was, but it didn’t go over the top. The ending frankly surprised me in a good way.
The narrative is told from two perspectives which I usually don’t like but work for this. I also liked how each of the main characters felt believable. This wasn’t a deep read that was life changing but a solid read.
This is a good cozy up on a rainy day with a tea kind of a read.
Most of the plot feels like a build toward a tense ending, which there was, but it didn’t go over the top. The ending frankly surprised me in a good way.
The narrative is told from two perspectives which I usually don’t like but work for this. I also liked how each of the main characters felt believable. This wasn’t a deep read that was life changing but a solid read.
This is a good cozy up on a rainy day with a tea kind of a read.
August 11, 2021
On it's surface, this is a domestic thriller, following a young woman who reconnects with her childhood nanny having lost both her parents. She begins to develop an attachment that her friend thinks may be unhealthy and starts to uncover the truth behind the nanny's time working in her home.
What sets it apart from other domestic thrillers is the rich sense we get of the characters and their relationships. The shifting perspective and timelines kept the story moving, but it never feels rushed. I hate using 'literary' as a descriptor, but I think it applies here.
I will recommend to fan of B.A. Paris, Megan Abbott, and Gillian Flynn. This is the author's first novel, and I will be following to see what comes next.
Thank you to MIRA Books and Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange for review.
What sets it apart from other domestic thrillers is the rich sense we get of the characters and their relationships. The shifting perspective and timelines kept the story moving, but it never feels rushed. I hate using 'literary' as a descriptor, but I think it applies here.
I will recommend to fan of B.A. Paris, Megan Abbott, and Gillian Flynn. This is the author's first novel, and I will be following to see what comes next.
Thank you to MIRA Books and Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange for review.
October 30, 2021
Quick read. I felt the story had a slow build, but definitely enjoyed the two timelines. I received the book as an ARC and am excited for the author, Flora Collins, to write more books.
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