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Watch Out for Her
A tense psychological thriller about a mother who must keep watch at all times if she wants to keep her family safe.
Wherever you go…
she’ll be watching.
Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.
Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?
Wherever you go…
she’ll be watching.
Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.
Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2022
304 people are currently reading
15266 people want to read
About the author
Samantha M. Bailey
4 books1,185 followersSamantha M. Bailey is the USA TODAY and #1 international bestselling author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE, optioned for series adaptation, WATCH OUT FOR HER, shortlisted for Canada Reads 2025, and A FRIEND IN THE DARK, an Amazon Charts bestseller. Her novels have sold in twelve countries. She lives in Toronto, where she can usually be found tapping away at her computer or curled up on her couch with a book. Samantha's next domestic suspense, HELLO, JULIET, will be published in April 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,343 reviews
May 30, 2022
Wherever you go, she’ll be watching you! Definitely reversed gender version of thrilling Police song and it also perfectly defines my new addiction: unputdownable brand new Samantha Bailey psychological thriller book!
Riveting story telling blended in two relatable well developed female characters and their heartbreaking and also heart pounding POVs!
Execution of the timelines between now and then was great enough to hook you up from the beginning. You may guess who is the most obsessive character and who has more stalker tendencies till the end.
Twists are not foreseeable and smartly thrown.
Some of my assumptions were true and but I didn’t find out the final revelation. Absolutely well played!
I was on my work trip when I start to read this riveting page turner and this might be one of the worst business trip because I wished the meetings were over sooner so I could get back my room to order room service ( who I’m kidding: I was planning to order my chilled Chardonnay) and return back my reading asap!
Let’s talk about the plot more; Sarah Goldman, forty one years old, photographer, raising her six years old kid Jacob with her husband Daniel, suddenly decides to move across the country to leave her dysfunctional relationship patterns with their nanny behind.
22 years old nanny Holly Monroe, aspiring student of British Columbia Medical School, working with her father’s company: Health ProX for sales department to convince multiple middle aged male customers to fund their new medical productions.
When she involves into Sarah and Jacob’s lives as a baby sitter, she slowly becomes a part of their family. But when we can sense something’s gone so wrong that made Sarah packed her belongings to move across the country to get rid of Holly!
But Sarah feels like her family’s in danger at their new place. She finds cameras inserted at different parts of their home and she gets cryptic text messages telling her somebody is still watching! Could Holly follow them? Or the people she truly trust might be lying her for a long time?
Overall: absolutely one of the best and most anticipated thrillers of the year earned my five stalker-ish, dysfunctional family, lies, high tension, I got no nails to bite I already ate them all stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon& Schuster Canada for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Riveting story telling blended in two relatable well developed female characters and their heartbreaking and also heart pounding POVs!
Execution of the timelines between now and then was great enough to hook you up from the beginning. You may guess who is the most obsessive character and who has more stalker tendencies till the end.
Twists are not foreseeable and smartly thrown.
Some of my assumptions were true and but I didn’t find out the final revelation. Absolutely well played!
I was on my work trip when I start to read this riveting page turner and this might be one of the worst business trip because I wished the meetings were over sooner so I could get back my room to order room service ( who I’m kidding: I was planning to order my chilled Chardonnay) and return back my reading asap!
Let’s talk about the plot more; Sarah Goldman, forty one years old, photographer, raising her six years old kid Jacob with her husband Daniel, suddenly decides to move across the country to leave her dysfunctional relationship patterns with their nanny behind.
22 years old nanny Holly Monroe, aspiring student of British Columbia Medical School, working with her father’s company: Health ProX for sales department to convince multiple middle aged male customers to fund their new medical productions.
When she involves into Sarah and Jacob’s lives as a baby sitter, she slowly becomes a part of their family. But when we can sense something’s gone so wrong that made Sarah packed her belongings to move across the country to get rid of Holly!
But Sarah feels like her family’s in danger at their new place. She finds cameras inserted at different parts of their home and she gets cryptic text messages telling her somebody is still watching! Could Holly follow them? Or the people she truly trust might be lying her for a long time?
Overall: absolutely one of the best and most anticipated thrillers of the year earned my five stalker-ish, dysfunctional family, lies, high tension, I got no nails to bite I already ate them all stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon& Schuster Canada for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
February 18, 2024
This is the latest thriller by Samantha M. Bailey where babysitter, Holly, and mom, Sarah, are trying to discover who they are. Holly is an abandoned child. Her father has remarried, and her mother died when she was born. Sarah is a 40-ish year old mom, trying to find her passion in life. Will Holly be the answers to Sarah’s prayers?
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novel. It seemed slow. This is in part due to the writing style. Many of the paragraphs and chapters were too long for a thriller/mystery. Additionally, it seemed that the tone was built upon the characters looking over their shoulders and too much inner monologue. Watch Out for Her was told in two different timelines, Before and After; however, this took away from the suspense and some of the surprise.
Watch Out for Her has a few scenes that might be called steamy, but they didn’t sizzle. This book felt like an attempt to weave in some of May Cobb’s steamy mystery style (such as The Hunting Wives and My Summer Darlings) but fell flat.
Personally, I found Holly and Sara unlikeable because they don’t respect boundaries and were snooping on each other. For the record, if I allow you into my house and you go through my things, you will be unceremoniously thrown out. My home is my safe place, the one place in the world where I know that I can find sanctuary, a calm in the storm, and going through my things would be the ultimate betrayal.
Without revealing spoilers, Holly has some extremely delusional or rather naïve ideas. Almost as unbelievable as instantly finding a super-secret cell phone with the super-secret password right next to it.
This isn’t the worst thriller that I have read, but it just didn’t work for me.
*Thank you, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
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Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novel. It seemed slow. This is in part due to the writing style. Many of the paragraphs and chapters were too long for a thriller/mystery. Additionally, it seemed that the tone was built upon the characters looking over their shoulders and too much inner monologue. Watch Out for Her was told in two different timelines, Before and After; however, this took away from the suspense and some of the surprise.
Watch Out for Her has a few scenes that might be called steamy, but they didn’t sizzle. This book felt like an attempt to weave in some of May Cobb’s steamy mystery style (such as The Hunting Wives and My Summer Darlings) but fell flat.
Personally, I found Holly and Sara unlikeable because they don’t respect boundaries and were snooping on each other. For the record, if I allow you into my house and you go through my things, you will be unceremoniously thrown out. My home is my safe place, the one place in the world where I know that I can find sanctuary, a calm in the storm, and going through my things would be the ultimate betrayal.
Without revealing spoilers, Holly has some extremely delusional or rather naïve ideas. Almost as unbelievable as instantly finding a super-secret cell phone with the super-secret password right next to it.
This isn’t the worst thriller that I have read, but it just didn’t work for me.
*Thank you, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta
April 26, 2022
I don't know if I'm in thriller burnout, or if I'm just getting more jaded, but I haven't found many suspense novels lately that really "wow" or surprise me. So many whiny paranoid women, so much gaslighting, and so much suspension of disbelief needed. This novel had all three and I'm just over it.
This novel is about two women: Holly has just finished her first year of med school and is slated to work for her family's mega-pharmaceutical company after she becomes a doctor. Her dad and stepmom expect some shady actions from Holly in order to pull in investors. They arrange for her to babysit for the wealthy family of Daniel, Sarah, and their active 6-year-old son Jacob. In this family, Holly sees everything she wishes her life would include. Something happens (we find out later what it is) and Sarah, Daniel and Jacob move from Vancouver to Toronto. Sarah finds cameras in their house, and is afraid that Holly, who has gone off the grid, might have followed them there. The book is told from Holly's perspective in the past in Vancouver, and Sarah's perspective in the present in Toronto.
I saw where this was going from a mile away. I didn't like any of the characters, I felt like they were all self-serving and paranoid, and no one TALKED TO EACH OTHER, they just preferred to imagine things and presume the worst (or what they thought was the worst). Sarah was alternately frantic and distrustful about stupid things and obliviously naïve and trusting about other things that a normal person would be suspicious about and question.
There are many positive reviews for this book, so don't let my negativity sway you if it sounds interesting, you might just like it better than I did.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This novel is about two women: Holly has just finished her first year of med school and is slated to work for her family's mega-pharmaceutical company after she becomes a doctor. Her dad and stepmom expect some shady actions from Holly in order to pull in investors. They arrange for her to babysit for the wealthy family of Daniel, Sarah, and their active 6-year-old son Jacob. In this family, Holly sees everything she wishes her life would include. Something happens (we find out later what it is) and Sarah, Daniel and Jacob move from Vancouver to Toronto. Sarah finds cameras in their house, and is afraid that Holly, who has gone off the grid, might have followed them there. The book is told from Holly's perspective in the past in Vancouver, and Sarah's perspective in the present in Toronto.
I saw where this was going from a mile away. I didn't like any of the characters, I felt like they were all self-serving and paranoid, and no one TALKED TO EACH OTHER, they just preferred to imagine things and presume the worst (or what they thought was the worst). Sarah was alternately frantic and distrustful about stupid things and obliviously naïve and trusting about other things that a normal person would be suspicious about and question.
There are many positive reviews for this book, so don't let my negativity sway you if it sounds interesting, you might just like it better than I did.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 26, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Samantha M. Bailey for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 4.26!**
“Families aren’t easy to join. They’re like an exclusive country club where membership makes impossible demands, and the dues for an outsider are exorbitant.” – Erma Bombeck
Holly is willing to 'pay her dues' as it were: she sees an opportunity to step outside of her own toxic family situation by babysitting Jacob for Sarah and Daniel, a wealthy couple who seem to have it all and then some. The group settles into a rhythm and Jacob just adores his babysitter...until one day, Sarah stumbles onto a deep and disturbing truth about Holly, and immediately uproots her family to remove them from the situation, leaving Holly alone and abandoned.
Once Sarah and her family settle into their new community in Toronto, they attempt to begin a new life and embrace a fresh start...until Sarah discovers the hidden cameras. The foreboding air of tension, following her everywhere. The neighbors, all too willing to make them feel welcome...right? As Sarah begins to unlock some of the mysteries right under her nose, she discovers a trail that leads right back to Holly...but what does it mean? And who is sending her the anonymous text messages with a simple yet chilling message: "I see you"?
New to Samantha M. Bailey, I had no idea what to expect from this read. What I was HOPING for was a quick, twisty psychological thriller that would keep me a' page-flippin' and second guessing...but what I got was more along the lines of Other Thrillers' Greatest Hits...but the knockoff, cover versions. None of these characters were particularly likable, which is always a bit of a red flag if they aren't all meant to be terrible humans, but I think what really threw a wrench in this one for me was how far-fetched the entire plot was, in almost every aspect. Common sense does not exist for the duration of the story, and characters also have evidence/blackmail material/etc. fall in their lap at the perfect moments over and over.
Nobody gets caught doing ANYTHING they shouldn't be doing (almost) for the entire length of the book: again, very unrealistic. This also was a missed opportunity for heightened tension, but at the end of the day, there wasn't too much tension throughout anyway, so I'm not sure it would have made a huge difference. I figured out the 'twist' fairly early on and to cap it off, this book has an epilogue where the author tries to tie up every loose end neatly and at length and had me all but eye-rolling my way through. I would have preferred no epilogue rather than a plethora of plot holes and logic leaps that just left me frustrated.
It's definitely a feat to write a thriller that feels fresh and original, but unlike a comfy, well-loved pair of shoes that feel JUST right after covering familiar ground, this book's treads were a bit worn out.
2.5 stars, rounded up
“Families aren’t easy to join. They’re like an exclusive country club where membership makes impossible demands, and the dues for an outsider are exorbitant.” – Erma Bombeck
Holly is willing to 'pay her dues' as it were: she sees an opportunity to step outside of her own toxic family situation by babysitting Jacob for Sarah and Daniel, a wealthy couple who seem to have it all and then some. The group settles into a rhythm and Jacob just adores his babysitter...until one day, Sarah stumbles onto a deep and disturbing truth about Holly, and immediately uproots her family to remove them from the situation, leaving Holly alone and abandoned.
Once Sarah and her family settle into their new community in Toronto, they attempt to begin a new life and embrace a fresh start...until Sarah discovers the hidden cameras. The foreboding air of tension, following her everywhere. The neighbors, all too willing to make them feel welcome...right? As Sarah begins to unlock some of the mysteries right under her nose, she discovers a trail that leads right back to Holly...but what does it mean? And who is sending her the anonymous text messages with a simple yet chilling message: "I see you"?
New to Samantha M. Bailey, I had no idea what to expect from this read. What I was HOPING for was a quick, twisty psychological thriller that would keep me a' page-flippin' and second guessing...but what I got was more along the lines of Other Thrillers' Greatest Hits...but the knockoff, cover versions. None of these characters were particularly likable, which is always a bit of a red flag if they aren't all meant to be terrible humans, but I think what really threw a wrench in this one for me was how far-fetched the entire plot was, in almost every aspect. Common sense does not exist for the duration of the story, and characters also have evidence/blackmail material/etc. fall in their lap at the perfect moments over and over.
Nobody gets caught doing ANYTHING they shouldn't be doing (almost) for the entire length of the book: again, very unrealistic. This also was a missed opportunity for heightened tension, but at the end of the day, there wasn't too much tension throughout anyway, so I'm not sure it would have made a huge difference. I figured out the 'twist' fairly early on and to cap it off, this book has an epilogue where the author tries to tie up every loose end neatly and at length and had me all but eye-rolling my way through. I would have preferred no epilogue rather than a plethora of plot holes and logic leaps that just left me frustrated.
It's definitely a feat to write a thriller that feels fresh and original, but unlike a comfy, well-loved pair of shoes that feel JUST right after covering familiar ground, this book's treads were a bit worn out.
2.5 stars, rounded up
March 7, 2022
Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.
Writing: 1/5 | Plot: 1/5 | Ending: Thank god it's over
THE PLOT
Sarah saw her babysitter, Holly, doing something foul and decided to move her fam from Vancity to the 6ix to start fresh. AHT AHT, Sarah, not so fast. No fresh start for you—there's cameras in your new abode! Who's watching? And WHY???
MY OPINION
....................... BYE. I was really excited to be approved for this ARC after reading her first book, Woman on the Edge. Although the writing quality flip flopped like a dead fish in her debut novel, I was hoping she would find her stride with book #2. SIKE!!!! Somehow the writing quality plummeted even further, making it a cringeworthy read.
I won't lie. I skimmed most of it. I really gave it my all for about 50% but then I just needed to get through it because it's a NG read. Otherwise, immediate yeet off my Kindle. Not only was the writing absurdly amateur (ex: "That's when Holly realizes where her stepsister is. She's at work.") but the plot was L O L. So you moved your whole fam across the country because of THAT???? Simple communication wasn't a solution?????? Sounds like your old fashioned sense of morality led you astray.
Also, Holly describing her $5 million + home in Vancouver as a glass jail because of her dad's high expectations and shitty stepmom is HILARIOUS. Cue the world's smallest violin.
All in all, this read was a dud. I enjoyed the mystery of her first novel, even if the ending was equally as L O L excuse moi??? But this was just a story of self sabotage and extreme helicopter parenting peppered with your classic thriller tropes.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: I was approved for this ARC
Cons: Everything else
Writing: 1/5 | Plot: 1/5 | Ending: Thank god it's over
THE PLOT
Sarah saw her babysitter, Holly, doing something foul and decided to move her fam from Vancity to the 6ix to start fresh. AHT AHT, Sarah, not so fast. No fresh start for you—there's cameras in your new abode! Who's watching? And WHY???
MY OPINION
....................... BYE. I was really excited to be approved for this ARC after reading her first book, Woman on the Edge. Although the writing quality flip flopped like a dead fish in her debut novel, I was hoping she would find her stride with book #2. SIKE!!!! Somehow the writing quality plummeted even further, making it a cringeworthy read.
I won't lie. I skimmed most of it. I really gave it my all for about 50% but then I just needed to get through it because it's a NG read. Otherwise, immediate yeet off my Kindle. Not only was the writing absurdly amateur (ex: "That's when Holly realizes where her stepsister is. She's at work.") but the plot was L O L. So you moved your whole fam across the country because of THAT???? Simple communication wasn't a solution?????? Sounds like your old fashioned sense of morality led you astray.
Also, Holly describing her $5 million + home in Vancouver as a glass jail because of her dad's high expectations and shitty stepmom is HILARIOUS. Cue the world's smallest violin.
All in all, this read was a dud. I enjoyed the mystery of her first novel, even if the ending was equally as L O L excuse moi??? But this was just a story of self sabotage and extreme helicopter parenting peppered with your classic thriller tropes.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: I was approved for this ARC
Cons: Everything else
March 8, 2022
I wish to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this intense, riveting psychological thriller. I felt menacing vibes throughout that kept me wondering what was going on and kept me on the edge of my seat. I found that the characters ranged from the unsympathetic to the annoying but still were fascinating and memorable. Many were yearning for recognition, attention, and love. All had hidden secrets, and who could be trusted? There were issues of surveillance, stalking, suspicion, blackmail, obsession, and excessive intrusion into the lives of others.
Sarah and Daniel Goldman are a couple in their 40s with a 6-year-old active son, Jacob. They both love their son intensely, but perhaps Sarah worries about him too much and is overly protective and hovering. This is only one of her very pessimistic concerns. She believes she is failing as a mother and has no time to pursue her talent in photography. She feels exhausted from her daily life as a housewife, and Daniel agrees to hire a nanny, Holly.
Holly is from a wealthy family and feels pressure to get a medical degree for future work in her father's profitable drug research company. She feels no love from her cold stepmother and feels desperately in need of a mother's love. Holly is expected to charm wealthy middle-aged men who are prospective investors into funding new medical research. How far her family expects her to go to influence them is uncertain. Holly wants no part in the company and no desire to return to university for a medical degree. She takes out her resentment by stealing and, when caught, is disowned by her family, except for an older, less attractive stepsister. Her stepsister is overly protective, loves her sister and demands more attention from Holly.
Hiring Holly as a nanny seems the perfect solution. Their son, Jacob, adores her. Sarah lacks trust in people's intentions and previously spied on Holly. Holly feels that Sarah is the mother she never had and hopes to be considered part of this family forever. She is curious about family secrets and snoops through Sarah's and Daniel's private papers and belongings. She will use extreme means to remain a part of the Goldman family. One day, Sarah sees something unsettling on her nanny camera. The family leaves Vancouver for a rental in a Toronto suburb to get away from Holly. Jacob is devastated to lose Holly, and Holly is upset and angry to be left behind.
With her lack of trust bordering on paranoia, Sarah always thinks the worst of people. Her newest neighbour has a son Jacob's age, and the boys become best buddies. Sarah would prefer to avoid this woman whom she considers overly friendly. She finds her suspicious and too pushy and intrusive. The neighbour probes Sarah with questions about the Goldman's lives but becomes upset and angry when Sarah asks about her household in return. Sarah becomes suspicious about the women's motivations and secrets but cannot ignore her entirely because of the boys. Another neighbour is an older man who sits quietly in front of his house. Sarah thinks he is watching her and finds him creepy. Are both people watching Sarah's family, and why? She is horrified to find hidden cameras in their new home. She receives cryptic menacing phone messages. Who is sending them? Is it someone in her new suburb or the horror? Maybe Holly has followed them to Toronto for revenge.
Her fear is growing, and everyone is suspicious. Her husband is too often at work and seems to be keeping secrets from her. Is her family in danger?
This story of family dynamics and dysfunction kept me riveted and in suspense throughout. I never guessed the twist at the end. A very stunning, puzzling plot. It is recommended to those who like psychological thrillers if they don't mind some melodrama and a somewhat unbelievable resolution with flawed characters.
Sarah and Daniel Goldman are a couple in their 40s with a 6-year-old active son, Jacob. They both love their son intensely, but perhaps Sarah worries about him too much and is overly protective and hovering. This is only one of her very pessimistic concerns. She believes she is failing as a mother and has no time to pursue her talent in photography. She feels exhausted from her daily life as a housewife, and Daniel agrees to hire a nanny, Holly.
Holly is from a wealthy family and feels pressure to get a medical degree for future work in her father's profitable drug research company. She feels no love from her cold stepmother and feels desperately in need of a mother's love. Holly is expected to charm wealthy middle-aged men who are prospective investors into funding new medical research. How far her family expects her to go to influence them is uncertain. Holly wants no part in the company and no desire to return to university for a medical degree. She takes out her resentment by stealing and, when caught, is disowned by her family, except for an older, less attractive stepsister. Her stepsister is overly protective, loves her sister and demands more attention from Holly.
Hiring Holly as a nanny seems the perfect solution. Their son, Jacob, adores her. Sarah lacks trust in people's intentions and previously spied on Holly. Holly feels that Sarah is the mother she never had and hopes to be considered part of this family forever. She is curious about family secrets and snoops through Sarah's and Daniel's private papers and belongings. She will use extreme means to remain a part of the Goldman family. One day, Sarah sees something unsettling on her nanny camera. The family leaves Vancouver for a rental in a Toronto suburb to get away from Holly. Jacob is devastated to lose Holly, and Holly is upset and angry to be left behind.
With her lack of trust bordering on paranoia, Sarah always thinks the worst of people. Her newest neighbour has a son Jacob's age, and the boys become best buddies. Sarah would prefer to avoid this woman whom she considers overly friendly. She finds her suspicious and too pushy and intrusive. The neighbour probes Sarah with questions about the Goldman's lives but becomes upset and angry when Sarah asks about her household in return. Sarah becomes suspicious about the women's motivations and secrets but cannot ignore her entirely because of the boys. Another neighbour is an older man who sits quietly in front of his house. Sarah thinks he is watching her and finds him creepy. Are both people watching Sarah's family, and why? She is horrified to find hidden cameras in their new home. She receives cryptic menacing phone messages. Who is sending them? Is it someone in her new suburb or the horror? Maybe Holly has followed them to Toronto for revenge.
Her fear is growing, and everyone is suspicious. Her husband is too often at work and seems to be keeping secrets from her. Is her family in danger?
This story of family dynamics and dysfunction kept me riveted and in suspense throughout. I never guessed the twist at the end. A very stunning, puzzling plot. It is recommended to those who like psychological thrillers if they don't mind some melodrama and a somewhat unbelievable resolution with flawed characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2022
I read this author’s previous book and remember loving it. This one not so much. It started off pretty good but at some point it took a weird turn down a road I struggled to follow. I found myself getting bored and I didn’t connect with the characters. The ending was a little to perfectly wrapped up for my taste as well.
All Holly Monroe wanted was to have a family that loved her. She thought she found that in her summer with Sarah and Daniel Goldman. Holly was hired to babysit their six year old son Jacob and after some unfortunate events, she moved in with the family.
Sarah Goldman is a text book helicopter mom and has great difficulty trusting those around her, especially Holly. After witnessing something horrendous, she kicks Holly out and moves her family across the country.
Sarah thought moving would solve all her problems. It turned out they were just beginning. Strange things start happening in her new house and Sarah feels like someone is watching her, waiting. Has the past found her?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
All Holly Monroe wanted was to have a family that loved her. She thought she found that in her summer with Sarah and Daniel Goldman. Holly was hired to babysit their six year old son Jacob and after some unfortunate events, she moved in with the family.
Sarah Goldman is a text book helicopter mom and has great difficulty trusting those around her, especially Holly. After witnessing something horrendous, she kicks Holly out and moves her family across the country.
Sarah thought moving would solve all her problems. It turned out they were just beginning. Strange things start happening in her new house and Sarah feels like someone is watching her, waiting. Has the past found her?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 22, 2022
The first few chapters set the stage and introduce the characters.
Hints of dark things to come are intertwined with Sarah's anxiety and fears that she and her family are being watched. You begin to suspect mental health issues, maybe an infidelity... perhaps even a murder? Hmmmmmm!?!?!
The characters come with set (if not a tad cliche) jobs and personality traits. Wildly paranoid Sarah is a photographer - on hiatus while she raises her troubled son, Jacob. Her husband, Daniel, is a corporate bigwig and has a few secrets of his own. Holly, Jacob's sitter, wants to please Daddy-Dearest, who loves only money and prestige and is willing to peddle his daughter in order to secure financing for his drug company's latest "miracle drug."
(I loathe greedy, nasty people like this in real life and enjoy them even less when I encounter this stereotype in fiction.) Holly's father forces her to take the child sitting job in order to get "an in" with Daniel and his rich cronies, so that he can convince them to invest in his latest venture.
I have to say that although I did see hints of the twist, I didn't guess it all. The ending was tied up neatly, but I was a bit disappointed with it because there seemed to be a bit of back-tracking from all that menace and evil-doing, and I didn't feel that true justice had been done. Holly's parents did not get anywhere near what was coming to them. The menace to Sarah's family and the reason behind it seemed a bit contrived to me at times, but I went with it for the sake of the plot.
The writing was very good and I loved that this story is set initially in B.C. and then the Greater Toronto area, in Canada! In fact, (very slight spoiler alert:) the final landing place - Bloor West Village - for Sarah is just a ten minute drive from me. Loved it! But I have to say, that Bloor West is a very expensive area to live, so it stretched my credulity a bit when everything fell apart and this is where she ended up renting. How can you be utterly "broke" but still somehow manage to convince a landlord to rent you a place with little or no credit to your name? Lucky for Sarah that she had some friends to pave the way for her, but good luck to anyone else who is down on their luck getting a rental in THAT trendy area! Just saying!
But, all this aside, I want to support this Canadian author. She will only get better with each new publication. I am rating this well-written story a 3.7 out of 5, rounded up to a 4 because GR does not allow fractions. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Hints of dark things to come are intertwined with Sarah's anxiety and fears that she and her family are being watched. You begin to suspect mental health issues, maybe an infidelity... perhaps even a murder? Hmmmmmm!?!?!
The characters come with set (if not a tad cliche) jobs and personality traits. Wildly paranoid Sarah is a photographer - on hiatus while she raises her troubled son, Jacob. Her husband, Daniel, is a corporate bigwig and has a few secrets of his own. Holly, Jacob's sitter, wants to please Daddy-Dearest, who loves only money and prestige and is willing to peddle his daughter in order to secure financing for his drug company's latest "miracle drug."
(I loathe greedy, nasty people like this in real life and enjoy them even less when I encounter this stereotype in fiction.) Holly's father forces her to take the child sitting job in order to get "an in" with Daniel and his rich cronies, so that he can convince them to invest in his latest venture.
I have to say that although I did see hints of the twist, I didn't guess it all. The ending was tied up neatly, but I was a bit disappointed with it because there seemed to be a bit of back-tracking from all that menace and evil-doing, and I didn't feel that true justice had been done. Holly's parents did not get anywhere near what was coming to them. The menace to Sarah's family and the reason behind it seemed a bit contrived to me at times, but I went with it for the sake of the plot.
The writing was very good and I loved that this story is set initially in B.C. and then the Greater Toronto area, in Canada! In fact, (very slight spoiler alert:) the final landing place - Bloor West Village - for Sarah is just a ten minute drive from me. Loved it! But I have to say, that Bloor West is a very expensive area to live, so it stretched my credulity a bit when everything fell apart and this is where she ended up renting. How can you be utterly "broke" but still somehow manage to convince a landlord to rent you a place with little or no credit to your name? Lucky for Sarah that she had some friends to pave the way for her, but good luck to anyone else who is down on their luck getting a rental in THAT trendy area! Just saying!
But, all this aside, I want to support this Canadian author. She will only get better with each new publication. I am rating this well-written story a 3.7 out of 5, rounded up to a 4 because GR does not allow fractions. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2022
An addictive read from start to finish, Samantha M. Bailey’s talent and skill are on full display in this well-crafted domestic thriller. WATCH OUT FOR HER will have you second-guessing everyone you meet and rooting for characters you don’t trust — and there’s nothing more fun that that. Absolutely riveting.
May 2, 2022
Wherever you go…
she’ll be watching.
Sarah and Daniel Goldman hire Holly Monroe to babysit their six-year-old son Jacob. Sarah has time to pursue her art and Holly gets away from her evil stepmother. Jacob gets a babysitter to have fun with. Holly has always wanted a normal family and believes the Goldman family fits the bill. She sees Sarah as a mother figure and Sarah has someone to watch her son.
But Sarah, always suspicious, takes too much of an interest in Holly, secretly taking pictures of her. Then there is Daniel, whose late-night whispering to their babysitter is making Sarah suspicious. When they make a major move, Sarah is happy to start over, but she soon discovers that someone is watching....
I always feel like somebody's watching me
And I have no privacy (oh, oh)
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Tell me is it just a dream? - Rockwell
Who is watching? Why? How?
This was an enjoyable mystery/thriller that although I enjoyed while reading, don't believe I will remember in months to come. This reminds me of a good plane book. I nice way to spend time, that keeps your attention and keeps you occupied for the time being. For me, the premise was very inviting and while I was never bored, I was also never blown away. This lacked the 'wow' factor for me.
I did enjoy the who-can-be-trusted-or-believed vibe of the book. We get both Sarah's and Holly's POV, and readers are left to wonder what is really going on, who is reliable, who is watching, and who has secrets.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
she’ll be watching.
Sarah and Daniel Goldman hire Holly Monroe to babysit their six-year-old son Jacob. Sarah has time to pursue her art and Holly gets away from her evil stepmother. Jacob gets a babysitter to have fun with. Holly has always wanted a normal family and believes the Goldman family fits the bill. She sees Sarah as a mother figure and Sarah has someone to watch her son.
But Sarah, always suspicious, takes too much of an interest in Holly, secretly taking pictures of her. Then there is Daniel, whose late-night whispering to their babysitter is making Sarah suspicious. When they make a major move, Sarah is happy to start over, but she soon discovers that someone is watching....
I always feel like somebody's watching me
And I have no privacy (oh, oh)
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Tell me is it just a dream? - Rockwell
Who is watching? Why? How?
This was an enjoyable mystery/thriller that although I enjoyed while reading, don't believe I will remember in months to come. This reminds me of a good plane book. I nice way to spend time, that keeps your attention and keeps you occupied for the time being. For me, the premise was very inviting and while I was never bored, I was also never blown away. This lacked the 'wow' factor for me.
I did enjoy the who-can-be-trusted-or-believed vibe of the book. We get both Sarah's and Holly's POV, and readers are left to wonder what is really going on, who is reliable, who is watching, and who has secrets.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
October 30, 2025
Paranoid tension, motherly instincts, & suburban secrets!
This one had me glued early on with its voyeuristic edge and domestic unease. Watch Out for Her by Canadian author Samantha M. Bailey is a psychological thriller that plays perfectly on that unsettling feeling of being watched and not quite knowing by whom. Right from the start, I was pulled into Sarah’s uneasiness and the sense that her world could unravel at any moment.
I loved the layered mother and babysitter dynamic and how the story alternates perspectives between Sarah and Holly. There’s a steady, creeping tension that builds as secrets come to light, and the writing has a vivid, visual quality that made it easy to inhabit their worlds. It’s twisty, tense, and full of paranoia, the kind of story that makes you second guess every side glance and shadow.
The title fits the story perfectly, capturing both the literal and psychological layers of being watched while also hinting at how easily perception can twist into fear.
As I neared the end, I found myself reading with curiosity about how everything would come together. The reveals were satisfying and wrapped up the story well, yet still left me reflecting on the characters and choices that brought them there.
✨ Key thoughts
🇨🇦 Canadian author and setting
🕵️ A voyeuristic premise that makes you question who’s really being watched
✍️ Sharp, visual writing that amps up the suspense
📖 The dual POVs kept me intrigued and guessing
💭 A tense, character-driven story that explores trust and perception
A tense and engaging domestic thriller that kept me curious and fully caught up in its uneasy atmosphere from beginning to end.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the digital copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This one had me glued early on with its voyeuristic edge and domestic unease. Watch Out for Her by Canadian author Samantha M. Bailey is a psychological thriller that plays perfectly on that unsettling feeling of being watched and not quite knowing by whom. Right from the start, I was pulled into Sarah’s uneasiness and the sense that her world could unravel at any moment.
I loved the layered mother and babysitter dynamic and how the story alternates perspectives between Sarah and Holly. There’s a steady, creeping tension that builds as secrets come to light, and the writing has a vivid, visual quality that made it easy to inhabit their worlds. It’s twisty, tense, and full of paranoia, the kind of story that makes you second guess every side glance and shadow.
The title fits the story perfectly, capturing both the literal and psychological layers of being watched while also hinting at how easily perception can twist into fear.
As I neared the end, I found myself reading with curiosity about how everything would come together. The reveals were satisfying and wrapped up the story well, yet still left me reflecting on the characters and choices that brought them there.
✨ Key thoughts
🇨🇦 Canadian author and setting
🕵️ A voyeuristic premise that makes you question who’s really being watched
✍️ Sharp, visual writing that amps up the suspense
📖 The dual POVs kept me intrigued and guessing
💭 A tense, character-driven story that explores trust and perception
A tense and engaging domestic thriller that kept me curious and fully caught up in its uneasy atmosphere from beginning to end.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the digital copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
April 29, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seriously, watch out!
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Sarah and her husband Daniel are moving away from Holly, aka the psycho babysitter, to start a new life in Toronto. Except wassup with finding hidden cameras in their new house? And the strange anonymous texts landing regularly in Sarah’s phone? Has Holly followed them? What lengths will she go to to reclaim her “new family”?
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Ahhh the psycho babysitter is a bit cliché so I worried at first it would be another “been there, read that” situation, but nope; this book is written well and the plot advanced quickly. The “domestic thriller” has become a difficult one to navigate since Gone Girl and a heap of wanting-to-be-that books lined up behind it (leading to tropes galore!), but Watch Out separates itself by being a bit less “shocking” and a bit more character driven, with constant questioning of which of these well-painted characters are trustworthy.
Alternating between Sarah and Holly’s POV, it becomes clear we could have an unreliable narrator… or do we? Or are they both unreliable? Or are they both truthful? Layering their personal lives, outlooks, and motivations (including flaws) made for a riveting foil relationship between the two women.
Only issue was that the ending was predictable, but the reading ride was smoothly paved and enjoyable with only those minor bumps.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Domestic Thriller/Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: It’s a perfect middle-road mystery. Light on fire, heavier in psychological, and a quick page-turner
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re working out on domestic mysteries, this fits that category to a “T”
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster/Canada for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for thanking the stars I am kid-free and thus babysitter free!
Seriously, watch out!
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Sarah and her husband Daniel are moving away from Holly, aka the psycho babysitter, to start a new life in Toronto. Except wassup with finding hidden cameras in their new house? And the strange anonymous texts landing regularly in Sarah’s phone? Has Holly followed them? What lengths will she go to to reclaim her “new family”?
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Ahhh the psycho babysitter is a bit cliché so I worried at first it would be another “been there, read that” situation, but nope; this book is written well and the plot advanced quickly. The “domestic thriller” has become a difficult one to navigate since Gone Girl and a heap of wanting-to-be-that books lined up behind it (leading to tropes galore!), but Watch Out separates itself by being a bit less “shocking” and a bit more character driven, with constant questioning of which of these well-painted characters are trustworthy.
Alternating between Sarah and Holly’s POV, it becomes clear we could have an unreliable narrator… or do we? Or are they both unreliable? Or are they both truthful? Layering their personal lives, outlooks, and motivations (including flaws) made for a riveting foil relationship between the two women.
Only issue was that the ending was predictable, but the reading ride was smoothly paved and enjoyable with only those minor bumps.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Domestic Thriller/Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: It’s a perfect middle-road mystery. Light on fire, heavier in psychological, and a quick page-turner
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re working out on domestic mysteries, this fits that category to a “T”
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster/Canada for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for thanking the stars I am kid-free and thus babysitter free!
April 22, 2022
I do love an ambiguous title. Does it mean someone has your back? Or do you need to watch out? As you read this new thriller form Samantha Bailey, you may find yourself wondering what that simple phrase really means in the context of our narrative. You will also find some new takes on some worn thriller tropes. That is what I have enjoyed about this author in both Woman on the Edge and this upcoming release. The story rolls out in a past and present timeline taking place in Vancouver and Toronto. Our two female leads, Sarah and Holly, are our narrators. Step right up and take a ride on this crazy train. Would make a great vacation read.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2022
Loads of mystery but a bit difficult to read; storyline has a good angle; really wanted to love this one more.
March 3, 2025
Spine-tingling. Chilling. Top-level Thriller !
Check out my fascinating AuthorElevatorSeries Interview where we go behind the scenes of the book and this powerhouse author!
The talented bestselling Canadian author Samantha M. Bailey wowed us with her debut, WOMAN ON THE EDGE however, her sophomore psychological thriller takes it to another level.
Brilliantly crafted, WATCH OUT FOR HER is a highly suspenseful, sinister, and twisty game of secrets, obsession, and voyeurism that will have you second-guessing every character from the first page to the last. An ending you will not see coming.
Told from two POVs, Sarah and Holly (BEFORE and NOW), two women enter into a complex and twisted relationship that will change their lives.
Who's Zoomin' Who?
Meet Sarah Goldman, mother of Jacob (6 yr old) and husband, Daniel. Sarah had befriended her young twenty-something babysitter, Holly. Everything was idyllic until it wasn't. Holly looks up to Sarah and will do anything to protect this family. A family she has always wanted, unlike her own.
As a reader, we do not know until much later in the novel, what actually went down. We know the Goldman's are moving from Vancouver to Toronto to escape with Daniel's new consulting job. A new start. Something happened and they are leaving their babysitter, Holly behind.
Upon arrival at their new home, Sarah is watchful, untrusting, and almost paranoid. She locates hidden cameras in the house. Then the new next-door neighbor. In their old house, Sarah had cameras. She was also a photographer and you could find her photographing late at night through windows.
So have the tables turned? They had left Holly behind, but could she have followed them.
Who is watching now?
WOW! Off the charts EPIC! WATCH OUT FOR HER is highly creative and impressive. Bailey CRUSHED IT! I read this in one sitting over Valentine's weekend.
Propulsive, claustrophobic, and mind-bending. At the heart of this addictive well-written thriller is love. How far do we go for love and acceptance? Filled with emotion, intrigue, intensity, and the secrets we keep from our loved ones and ourselves.
SO MANY SECRETS. Every character in the novel has secrets.
What I enjoyed about WATCH OUT FOR HER was how the author keeps you guessing as to the why, how, who, and where? From the mysterious characters to the twisty plot. It has it all! Holly's family was totally weird, yet you want to learn more. I really liked her character. What was Daniel hiding? Your loyalties change throughout the novel. You suspect everyone, and the last twist was utterly explosive! There are so many moving parts and the author does an excellent job of keeping you in suspense.
I love the front cover and the creepy tree branches in the background of each chapter. I am enjoying these new thrillers about watching and moving to new neighborhoods to often find they are even a worse nightmare when the home is supposed to be a safe haven. If you enjoyed A Perfect Stranger by Shalini Boland, and Carter Wilson's The New Neighbor, WATCH OUT FOR HER is for you!
I was honored and grateful to be included in the acknowledgments with all these fine bloggers in the book community. Many thanks.🙏
A very special thank you to #Simon&Schuster and #NetGalley for a gifted early ARC.
Blog Review posted @ www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 Stars
Top Books of 2022
April Must-Read Books
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
Check out my fascinating AuthorElevatorSeries Interview where we go behind the scenes of the book and this powerhouse author!
The talented bestselling Canadian author Samantha M. Bailey wowed us with her debut, WOMAN ON THE EDGE however, her sophomore psychological thriller takes it to another level.
Brilliantly crafted, WATCH OUT FOR HER is a highly suspenseful, sinister, and twisty game of secrets, obsession, and voyeurism that will have you second-guessing every character from the first page to the last. An ending you will not see coming.
Told from two POVs, Sarah and Holly (BEFORE and NOW), two women enter into a complex and twisted relationship that will change their lives.
Who's Zoomin' Who?
Meet Sarah Goldman, mother of Jacob (6 yr old) and husband, Daniel. Sarah had befriended her young twenty-something babysitter, Holly. Everything was idyllic until it wasn't. Holly looks up to Sarah and will do anything to protect this family. A family she has always wanted, unlike her own.
As a reader, we do not know until much later in the novel, what actually went down. We know the Goldman's are moving from Vancouver to Toronto to escape with Daniel's new consulting job. A new start. Something happened and they are leaving their babysitter, Holly behind.
Upon arrival at their new home, Sarah is watchful, untrusting, and almost paranoid. She locates hidden cameras in the house. Then the new next-door neighbor. In their old house, Sarah had cameras. She was also a photographer and you could find her photographing late at night through windows.
So have the tables turned? They had left Holly behind, but could she have followed them.
Who is watching now?
WOW! Off the charts EPIC! WATCH OUT FOR HER is highly creative and impressive. Bailey CRUSHED IT! I read this in one sitting over Valentine's weekend.
Propulsive, claustrophobic, and mind-bending. At the heart of this addictive well-written thriller is love. How far do we go for love and acceptance? Filled with emotion, intrigue, intensity, and the secrets we keep from our loved ones and ourselves.
SO MANY SECRETS. Every character in the novel has secrets.
What I enjoyed about WATCH OUT FOR HER was how the author keeps you guessing as to the why, how, who, and where? From the mysterious characters to the twisty plot. It has it all! Holly's family was totally weird, yet you want to learn more. I really liked her character. What was Daniel hiding? Your loyalties change throughout the novel. You suspect everyone, and the last twist was utterly explosive! There are so many moving parts and the author does an excellent job of keeping you in suspense.
I love the front cover and the creepy tree branches in the background of each chapter. I am enjoying these new thrillers about watching and moving to new neighborhoods to often find they are even a worse nightmare when the home is supposed to be a safe haven. If you enjoyed A Perfect Stranger by Shalini Boland, and Carter Wilson's The New Neighbor, WATCH OUT FOR HER is for you!
I was honored and grateful to be included in the acknowledgments with all these fine bloggers in the book community. Many thanks.🙏
A very special thank you to #Simon&Schuster and #NetGalley for a gifted early ARC.
Blog Review posted @ www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 Stars
Top Books of 2022
April Must-Read Books
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
May 2, 2022
If you are looking for a psychological thriller that will give you the shivers, Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey will surely fit the bill. Sarah lives with her six-year-old son, Jacob and her husband, Daniel. In order to free up some time in Sarah’s busy life, Holly, a twenty-two-year-old, is hired to look after Jacob. Before long, a suspicious Sarah is casting a suspecting eye on the baby-sitter. A series of events will occur, upsetting the family so much that they will re-settle in another city, far away. But moving does not seem to solve their problems and strange occurrences are still happening around the young family. The characters in this book are well-developed and deliciously flawed and will fascinate readers. The plot has tension upon tension. Every turn of the page will bring more surprise, shock and, at times, terror. Watch Out for Her is a superior thriller that keeps intrigue and lies flowing and the ending is shocking. I look forward to reading more novels by Samantha M. Bailey. Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2022
Yes! This book was definitely unputdownable! Watch Out for Her is the unique type of thriller that made me care about the characters.“Everyone has parts of themselves they’re ashamed of, that they hide.” That’s true with each character you meet throughout the book. Secrets fester and guilt takes center stage as lives are changed forever. Fast paced with a constant sense of dread, this thriller had me hooked and racing to the surprising twisty conclusion. Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my copy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 27, 2022
This was a fast paced thriller with multiple plots and timelines. I love thrillers and was excited to begin reading.
Sarah, a 40-ish mother, hires Holly, a 22 year old med student to mind her 6 year old son for the summer. I never really connected with Sarah. There are multiple points of view and plot twists, in my opinion too many, that made me roll my eyes a few times.
I did enjoy reading this book and would try another book by her.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy.
Sarah, a 40-ish mother, hires Holly, a 22 year old med student to mind her 6 year old son for the summer. I never really connected with Sarah. There are multiple points of view and plot twists, in my opinion too many, that made me roll my eyes a few times.
I did enjoy reading this book and would try another book by her.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy.
March 7, 2022
I have just finished reading Watch Out for Her by Author Samantha M. Bailey.
This is a thriller that takes place in two Canadian cities – Vancouver and Toronto.
One of the main characters Sarah Goldman has a six-year-old son Jacob. The father Daniel Goldman would like his wife, a stay-at-home mom to have more time for herself and her passion of photography. They hire a young med student - Holly, who comes from a well to do family whose father has a business connection with Daniel.
There are lots of nanny cams, drama and watching.
I see that the book is getting mostly 4 and 5 stars so far, but for me it missed the mark, and fell short. I found myself just wanting to get it finished about halfway through and move on to something else that I would enjoy more.
2.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Simon & Schuster Canada for your advanced copy to read and review.
This is a thriller that takes place in two Canadian cities – Vancouver and Toronto.
One of the main characters Sarah Goldman has a six-year-old son Jacob. The father Daniel Goldman would like his wife, a stay-at-home mom to have more time for herself and her passion of photography. They hire a young med student - Holly, who comes from a well to do family whose father has a business connection with Daniel.
There are lots of nanny cams, drama and watching.
I see that the book is getting mostly 4 and 5 stars so far, but for me it missed the mark, and fell short. I found myself just wanting to get it finished about halfway through and move on to something else that I would enjoy more.
2.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Simon & Schuster Canada for your advanced copy to read and review.
March 31, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected pub date: April 26, 2022
Sarah Goldman, her six year old son, Jacob, and her husband, Daniel, have moved across the country from Vancouver to Toronto, eager for a new start. Sarah was desperate to leave behind one thing in particular- Holly Monroe, the young woman who Jacob immediately fell in love with as his babysitter, and who Sarah thought was the perfect fit for her family. But Sarah can never trust anyone completely- and when the nanny cams she installed her home reveal Holly’s deep secret, she knew that she had to get her family away from Holly as soon as possible. Now, happily settled in Toronto, Sarah starts to receive anonymous text messages from someone Sarah knows has to be Holly. If Holly has followed them across the country, what else is she capable of?
“Watch Out for Her” is the second novel by author Samantha M. Bailey, and it is full of tense, nail-biting action, deep secrets and dangerous obsessions.
The novel is told in two time periods, then (when the Goldman’s lived in Vancouver) and now (in Toronto), and is also told from the perspective of both Sarah and Holly. This writing style served to build up each suspenseful twist and turn, and kept me turning the pages.
The obsession between Holly and Sarah (and vice versa) was dark and haunting, and initially it was hard to wrap my head around. It was desperate and intense, and both characters seemed to have nothing better to do than stalk each other. However, as the story played out, I was pulled into their dangerous obsession and wanted more of it.
Holly is a unique character, but she left my feelings divided. On one hand, she was manipulative and desperate for attention, and I wanted to dislike her, but she was so completely broken and dysfunctional that I couldn’t help but give her my sympathy. Her genuine affection for Jacob made her even more charming, and her naiveté and youth made her desperately bad decisions easier to swallow. Sarah, too, was obsessive (to a huge degree), and was an absolute “helicopter Mom”, but again, her intuition was on point and her maternal love was fierce.
There are a few individuals in this story who I knew would have a part to play in the twist ending (because there is always a twist ending in books like this) and when the ending played out, I loved it! It was unexpected, yet made perfect sense to the storyline. “Watch” is my first novel by Canadian author Bailey (props to the Canadian backdrops and settings!), but it won’t be my last. I hope she delivers more delicious page-turners like this one!
Expected pub date: April 26, 2022
Sarah Goldman, her six year old son, Jacob, and her husband, Daniel, have moved across the country from Vancouver to Toronto, eager for a new start. Sarah was desperate to leave behind one thing in particular- Holly Monroe, the young woman who Jacob immediately fell in love with as his babysitter, and who Sarah thought was the perfect fit for her family. But Sarah can never trust anyone completely- and when the nanny cams she installed her home reveal Holly’s deep secret, she knew that she had to get her family away from Holly as soon as possible. Now, happily settled in Toronto, Sarah starts to receive anonymous text messages from someone Sarah knows has to be Holly. If Holly has followed them across the country, what else is she capable of?
“Watch Out for Her” is the second novel by author Samantha M. Bailey, and it is full of tense, nail-biting action, deep secrets and dangerous obsessions.
The novel is told in two time periods, then (when the Goldman’s lived in Vancouver) and now (in Toronto), and is also told from the perspective of both Sarah and Holly. This writing style served to build up each suspenseful twist and turn, and kept me turning the pages.
The obsession between Holly and Sarah (and vice versa) was dark and haunting, and initially it was hard to wrap my head around. It was desperate and intense, and both characters seemed to have nothing better to do than stalk each other. However, as the story played out, I was pulled into their dangerous obsession and wanted more of it.
Holly is a unique character, but she left my feelings divided. On one hand, she was manipulative and desperate for attention, and I wanted to dislike her, but she was so completely broken and dysfunctional that I couldn’t help but give her my sympathy. Her genuine affection for Jacob made her even more charming, and her naiveté and youth made her desperately bad decisions easier to swallow. Sarah, too, was obsessive (to a huge degree), and was an absolute “helicopter Mom”, but again, her intuition was on point and her maternal love was fierce.
There are a few individuals in this story who I knew would have a part to play in the twist ending (because there is always a twist ending in books like this) and when the ending played out, I loved it! It was unexpected, yet made perfect sense to the storyline. “Watch” is my first novel by Canadian author Bailey (props to the Canadian backdrops and settings!), but it won’t be my last. I hope she delivers more delicious page-turners like this one!
February 28, 2022
I’m clearly in the minority, but I didn’t love this book, mostly because I just didn’t like the main character, Sarah. The story revolves around Sarah and her husband Daniel, who move from Vancouver to Toronto with their young son Jacob, after a falling out with their babysitter turned family friend, Holly. The chapters alternate between Sarah’s POV after the move and Holly’s POV before the move.
The book was somewhat suspenseful though I did figure out the twist pretty early. The author did a good job at creating suspicion so the reader wasn’t sure who to trust. Nothing really scary happens in my opinion but there is an overtone of creepiness after the move occurs.
My issue with the book was in my lack of connection with Sarah, who is supposed to be the protagonist. She grossly overreacts to some of the things that happen in the book while grossly under-reacting to others, causing me to just be frustrated with her throughout the entire story. I empathized with Holly and everything related to her storyline just made me feel sad.
Overall, the book held my interest but I just didn’t love it. I didn’t root for Sarah and felt let down by how it all worked out. I’d give it 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book was somewhat suspenseful though I did figure out the twist pretty early. The author did a good job at creating suspicion so the reader wasn’t sure who to trust. Nothing really scary happens in my opinion but there is an overtone of creepiness after the move occurs.
My issue with the book was in my lack of connection with Sarah, who is supposed to be the protagonist. She grossly overreacts to some of the things that happen in the book while grossly under-reacting to others, causing me to just be frustrated with her throughout the entire story. I empathized with Holly and everything related to her storyline just made me feel sad.
Overall, the book held my interest but I just didn’t love it. I didn’t root for Sarah and felt let down by how it all worked out. I’d give it 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2022
This non-linear story was told from two perspectives: Sarah, the mom, and Holly, the babysitter.
I found Sarah more annoying as the story progressed. She was super protective of her son and made assumptions about everyone’s opinions and actions. I felt more connected and also sorry for Holly. Her dysfunctional family was wealthy but a complete wreck.
I enjoyed this thriller overall but the conclusion could have been more fleshed out. It was surprising but just not a great ending.
* Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
I found Sarah more annoying as the story progressed. She was super protective of her son and made assumptions about everyone’s opinions and actions. I felt more connected and also sorry for Holly. Her dysfunctional family was wealthy but a complete wreck.
I enjoyed this thriller overall but the conclusion could have been more fleshed out. It was surprising but just not a great ending.
* Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 4, 2022
22 year old Holly is hired as a baby sitter for Sarah and Daniel’s young son, Jacob. It seems like the perfect arrangement, as Jacob really adored Holly and Holly found a perfect mother figure in Sarah. The only problem is that Sarah has a hard time to put her full trust in people. So she keeps a close eye on Holly. She sees a few things that raise more questions, until finally she sees something she can never forget!
WATCH OUT FOR HER will have you questioning everyone you know!! Told in alternating timelines of past and present. I really enjoyed this page turner. Filled with secrets and tension, it kept me hooked in right from the start. This was my first book by Samantha Bailey and I look forward to her future works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster 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.
WATCH OUT FOR HER will have you questioning everyone you know!! Told in alternating timelines of past and present. I really enjoyed this page turner. Filled with secrets and tension, it kept me hooked in right from the start. This was my first book by Samantha Bailey and I look forward to her future works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster 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.
June 30, 2022
I received a free e-copy of Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey from NetGalley for my honest review.
Sarah and Daniel hired Holly, young woman, to watch their 6-year-old son for the Summer. She starts off being a wonderful babysitter for young Jacob. One day Sarah sees something that concerned her making her wonder who Holly really is. Sarah is so concerned with Holly's actions that she moves her entire family to keep them safe from Holly. But now she thinks they are being watched. Is it Holly?
The story was a bit slow for me and although it did pick up for the second half of the book, I struggled liking any of the characters.
Sarah and Daniel hired Holly, young woman, to watch their 6-year-old son for the Summer. She starts off being a wonderful babysitter for young Jacob. One day Sarah sees something that concerned her making her wonder who Holly really is. Sarah is so concerned with Holly's actions that she moves her entire family to keep them safe from Holly. But now she thinks they are being watched. Is it Holly?
The story was a bit slow for me and although it did pick up for the second half of the book, I struggled liking any of the characters.
February 23, 2022
A compulsive and riveting exploration of trust, obsession and voyeurism, Samantha Bailey knocks it out of the park with this intricately plotted domestic thriller. With dark secrets and surprising twists, this one’s sure to be a new favorite!
The story alternates between Sarah, mother to 6yo Jacob, and Holly, the 22yo babysitter she and her husband, Daniel hired. All Holly wants is a family who loves her. She thinks she’s found that in her summer working for Sarah and Daniel. But Sarah is neurotic, a classic helicopter mom who is slow to trust. When she witnesses something horrible, she kicks Holly out and moves her family across the country. But soon Sarah begins to feel like someone is watching her.
A creepy, up-all-night thriller you won’t soon forget!
The story alternates between Sarah, mother to 6yo Jacob, and Holly, the 22yo babysitter she and her husband, Daniel hired. All Holly wants is a family who loves her. She thinks she’s found that in her summer working for Sarah and Daniel. But Sarah is neurotic, a classic helicopter mom who is slow to trust. When she witnesses something horrible, she kicks Holly out and moves her family across the country. But soon Sarah begins to feel like someone is watching her.
A creepy, up-all-night thriller you won’t soon forget!
March 14, 2022
I’m definitely in the minority with my 2 star rating but this story fell flat for me and I could not connect with any of the characters. I loved her last book but this one just didn’t do anything for me. DNF at 30%. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.
November 8, 2022
Holly and Sarah meet when it is suggested that Holly sit for the Goldman's 6-year-old son Jacob during the summer vacation months, giving Sarah time to pursue her love of photography. Holly, who never knew her mother, finds little Jake endearing and fully embraces the Goldman family so at first it seems like the perfect set-up for all. But Sarah suffers from low self-esteem and is a bit suspicious, neurotic, maybe even paranoid, so things soon start to unravel.
The story is divided in Before and After chapters with Holly telling what happened 'Before' in Vancouver and Sarah telling what happened 'After' when they have moved to Toronto for a fresh start. I found both women extremely likable, even with all their flaws. I liked how the author really got into their heads by the way she told the story; that worked well. A nicely-done twist creates an exciting ending to this dramatic psychological thriller.
I received an arc of this novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. The book published in April but unfortunately my reading schedule was so full at the time that it fell through the cracks. I apologize for the delay. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
The story is divided in Before and After chapters with Holly telling what happened 'Before' in Vancouver and Sarah telling what happened 'After' when they have moved to Toronto for a fresh start. I found both women extremely likable, even with all their flaws. I liked how the author really got into their heads by the way she told the story; that worked well. A nicely-done twist creates an exciting ending to this dramatic psychological thriller.
I received an arc of this novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. The book published in April but unfortunately my reading schedule was so full at the time that it fell through the cracks. I apologize for the delay. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
April 26, 2022
Watch out for her. An ominous warning? Or an expression of concern? These are questions readers need to answer to solve the latest suspense thriller by Samantha M. Bailey. With an abundance of lies and secrets, envy and mistrust, Watch Out For Her leaves readers scrambling to figure out who to believe, who to trust and who to watch out for. This story unfolds through the voices of two highly suspicious narrators in a past/present timeline that brings readers up to speed in what happened in the past that led to the volatile situation characters find themselves in today.
Then - Sarah and Daniel Goldman hire twenty-two year old Holly Monroe as a nanny to their six year old son Jacob, allowing Sarah time to pursue her photography. Little do they know this will turn out to be a fatal mistake. On the surface, the Goldman's appear to be a normal, happy upper middle class family living the dream. Holly envies and desires the Goldman's easy family atmosphere and sets about manipulating her way into the family as a trusted member. Everything is beautiful . . . until it isn't. After witnessing a shocking event, Sarah realizes all is not as it seems and thus asks her husband to move their family to escape the obsessive babysitter. In a desperate, last ditch effort to protect his own secrets, Daniel agrees to move clear across the country.
Now - After the family moves, the new beginning the Goldman's so desperately hoped for eludes them. Sarah finds hidden cameras in their new house the first day, a prowler is seen in the yard that night and their new neighbors are a bit strange . Cryptic text messages, moved security cameras and not so subtle innuendos have Sarah in a panic, and Daniel questioning her sanity. The story that ensues is a roller coaster of emotional turmoil, obsession and disbelief. Is Holly seeking revenge for being left behind by a family she staked her claim on? Or is Sarah delusional?
Watch Out For Her is a tense, character driven thriller with an overabundance of family drama. The steady pace gains momentum as the story plays out, and secrets begin spilling over leaving this dysfunctional family desperate for answers even as each member continues guarding their own secrets. Readers have the huge advantage of being in both Holly and Sarah's head space as they take turns narrating the story of what has and is transpiring from their own unique view point. Unfortunately, neither of these two characters know what the other is thinking. While I found the plot line to be a bit predictable at times, the execution of the story is excellent and my need to know kept me burning through pages. I was able to deduce the conclusion and the who/what/why before the big reveal, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment or the rising tension. Watch Out For Her is an anxiety riddled ride with a menacing undertone that keeps readers guessing. Bailey has peeled back the layers of a broken family, revealing the depth of devastation brought about by distrust, too many secrets and obsession. Fans of mystery and suspense will enjoy this book, especially if they love character driven thrillers.
Thanks to Simon Schuster for an arc of this book.
*Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
**Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews
Then - Sarah and Daniel Goldman hire twenty-two year old Holly Monroe as a nanny to their six year old son Jacob, allowing Sarah time to pursue her photography. Little do they know this will turn out to be a fatal mistake. On the surface, the Goldman's appear to be a normal, happy upper middle class family living the dream. Holly envies and desires the Goldman's easy family atmosphere and sets about manipulating her way into the family as a trusted member. Everything is beautiful . . . until it isn't. After witnessing a shocking event, Sarah realizes all is not as it seems and thus asks her husband to move their family to escape the obsessive babysitter. In a desperate, last ditch effort to protect his own secrets, Daniel agrees to move clear across the country.
Now - After the family moves, the new beginning the Goldman's so desperately hoped for eludes them. Sarah finds hidden cameras in their new house the first day, a prowler is seen in the yard that night and their new neighbors are a bit strange . Cryptic text messages, moved security cameras and not so subtle innuendos have Sarah in a panic, and Daniel questioning her sanity. The story that ensues is a roller coaster of emotional turmoil, obsession and disbelief. Is Holly seeking revenge for being left behind by a family she staked her claim on? Or is Sarah delusional?
Watch Out For Her is a tense, character driven thriller with an overabundance of family drama. The steady pace gains momentum as the story plays out, and secrets begin spilling over leaving this dysfunctional family desperate for answers even as each member continues guarding their own secrets. Readers have the huge advantage of being in both Holly and Sarah's head space as they take turns narrating the story of what has and is transpiring from their own unique view point. Unfortunately, neither of these two characters know what the other is thinking. While I found the plot line to be a bit predictable at times, the execution of the story is excellent and my need to know kept me burning through pages. I was able to deduce the conclusion and the who/what/why before the big reveal, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment or the rising tension. Watch Out For Her is an anxiety riddled ride with a menacing undertone that keeps readers guessing. Bailey has peeled back the layers of a broken family, revealing the depth of devastation brought about by distrust, too many secrets and obsession. Fans of mystery and suspense will enjoy this book, especially if they love character driven thrillers.
Thanks to Simon Schuster for an arc of this book.
*Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
**Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews
April 13, 2022
Samantha M. Bailey has crafted a domestic thriller set in Canada. Sarah and Daniel Goldman hire a sitter, Holly, to take care of their 6-year-old son, Jacob. This will give Sarah more time to work on her photography. When Holly is forced from her home, Sarah and Daniel take her in to live with them. Some interesting things are caught on the nanny cam and Sarah starts watching Holly closely.
This book is about obsession, trust, and secrets. It kept my attention most of the way through and there was a good tension buildup. I didn't really like any of the characters though. I did like the way the author used the narrators to provide alternating points of view and timelines.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on April 26, 2022.
This book is about obsession, trust, and secrets. It kept my attention most of the way through and there was a good tension buildup. I didn't really like any of the characters though. I did like the way the author used the narrators to provide alternating points of view and timelines.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on April 26, 2022.
February 20, 2022
Started and finished this in one sitting! I loved Samantha Bailey's debut, Woman On The Edge and couldn't wait to get my hands on Watch Out For Her. It was EVERYTHING I hoped for!!
The story alternates between the two main characters. Sarah, mother to six-year-old Jacob, and Holly, a twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel hired. But, over time, this seemingly perfect arrangement is forming cracks and things start falling apart. Sarah finds herself questioning if she can really trust Holly...
I LOVE an alternating storyline! Bonus points if it's twisty and shocks me at the end ... check and check! What an ending!! SO WELL DONE!
HUGE thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my review ecopy
The story alternates between the two main characters. Sarah, mother to six-year-old Jacob, and Holly, a twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel hired. But, over time, this seemingly perfect arrangement is forming cracks and things start falling apart. Sarah finds herself questioning if she can really trust Holly...
I LOVE an alternating storyline! Bonus points if it's twisty and shocks me at the end ... check and check! What an ending!! SO WELL DONE!
HUGE thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my review ecopy
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