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Nanny Wanted
A remote Cornish mansion. The perfect couple. And the deadly secrets that bind them.
When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.
The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny before? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?
As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies. . .
When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.
The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny before? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?
As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies. . .
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2023
19 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Lizzy Barber
11 books199 followersHello!
I am a London-based author, living in Islington with my husband, George. I read English at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, and My Name Is Anna is my first novel.
Having previously dabbled in acting and film development, I have spent the last eight years working in the restaurant business with my brother, Jamie, heading up our brand and marketing department. We have a small group of restaurants, mainly in London, including Hush in Mayfair, the all-day burger brand, Hache, and the Latin American barbecue group, Cabana.
Working with the restaurants has been creative and dynamic…and has involved a certain about of writing (including a lot of press releases!), but writing has always been a creative itch I have scratched on the side.
I have always written in fits and starts, but about five years ago I started writing my first serious novel – a very long and drawn out literary fiction piece based on my grandmother’s life in Mandate Palestine, pre-Suez Cairo and post-war London.
I started taking regular classes with Maggie Hamand at the Complete Creative Writing Course, which made me completely rethink my approach to writing, and was invaluable in shaping the way I wrote.
However, in April 2017 I found myself at a complete dead end with my first novel, and, almost as a form of release, starting dabbling with a thriller that had been niggling away at me. I mentioned I was writing it to my mother, and, about a week later, she told me that she had spied a first novel competition that I *had* to enter.
I hammered away at my laptop, completing just enough of the book to be able to enter, and literally handed my entry in on the closing day of the competition (I couriered my entry, so worried was I it wouldn’t make the deadline!).
And then I forgot all about it…
About two months later, preparing for my morning operations meeting, I received a phone call out of the blue, which completely changed my life.
The phone call was from Luigi Bonomi of LBA Books telling me I had WON the Daily Mail and Random House First Novel Prize 2017
Thus began an extraordinary chain of events that I am still waiting to wake up from on a daily basis. The little thriller I had dabbled away at is now My Name Is Anna, and was published by Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in January 2019. It will be published in North America by MIRA, an imprint of Harper Collins, on 3rd September 2019.
I have had the privilege of working with a marvelous team of people on My Name Is Anna / A Girl Named Anna, and am now hard (hard!) work on my second book. Stay tuned…
I am a London-based author, living in Islington with my husband, George. I read English at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, and My Name Is Anna is my first novel.
Having previously dabbled in acting and film development, I have spent the last eight years working in the restaurant business with my brother, Jamie, heading up our brand and marketing department. We have a small group of restaurants, mainly in London, including Hush in Mayfair, the all-day burger brand, Hache, and the Latin American barbecue group, Cabana.
Working with the restaurants has been creative and dynamic…and has involved a certain about of writing (including a lot of press releases!), but writing has always been a creative itch I have scratched on the side.
I have always written in fits and starts, but about five years ago I started writing my first serious novel – a very long and drawn out literary fiction piece based on my grandmother’s life in Mandate Palestine, pre-Suez Cairo and post-war London.
I started taking regular classes with Maggie Hamand at the Complete Creative Writing Course, which made me completely rethink my approach to writing, and was invaluable in shaping the way I wrote.
However, in April 2017 I found myself at a complete dead end with my first novel, and, almost as a form of release, starting dabbling with a thriller that had been niggling away at me. I mentioned I was writing it to my mother, and, about a week later, she told me that she had spied a first novel competition that I *had* to enter.
I hammered away at my laptop, completing just enough of the book to be able to enter, and literally handed my entry in on the closing day of the competition (I couriered my entry, so worried was I it wouldn’t make the deadline!).
And then I forgot all about it…
About two months later, preparing for my morning operations meeting, I received a phone call out of the blue, which completely changed my life.
The phone call was from Luigi Bonomi of LBA Books telling me I had WON the Daily Mail and Random House First Novel Prize 2017
Thus began an extraordinary chain of events that I am still waiting to wake up from on a daily basis. The little thriller I had dabbled away at is now My Name Is Anna, and was published by Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in January 2019. It will be published in North America by MIRA, an imprint of Harper Collins, on 3rd September 2019.
I have had the privilege of working with a marvelous team of people on My Name Is Anna / A Girl Named Anna, and am now hard (hard!) work on my second book. Stay tuned…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
October 15, 2023
3 / 5
Mid tier book, nothing is special and exciting in this book but it’s not horrifically bad. In all honestly, I didn’t enjoy this book, maybe given the fact that my library again has mislabelled the book to be a ‘suspense fiction’ it was nothing like that and more ‘confusing fiction’ instead.
The biggest problem is that the book is a slow burn, things are hinted and presented but the truth is not given until the full end of the book. So we are donkeys reading this book with a carrot dangled in front of us. I hated how slow the book took to develop. There are a lot of filler scenes for this short read. Essentially we meet lily who takes up a job as a nanny in Cornwall at Kewney Manor. She babysits the children of the Rowes Family. Initially all seems bliss, she loves her jobs and the family love her too. But she begins to notice pattern of behaviours that makes her question a few things.
Honestly it’s not a great read, I wouldn’t recommend it. The plot is forgettable and nothing stands out.
Mid tier book, nothing is special and exciting in this book but it’s not horrifically bad. In all honestly, I didn’t enjoy this book, maybe given the fact that my library again has mislabelled the book to be a ‘suspense fiction’ it was nothing like that and more ‘confusing fiction’ instead.
The biggest problem is that the book is a slow burn, things are hinted and presented but the truth is not given until the full end of the book. So we are donkeys reading this book with a carrot dangled in front of us. I hated how slow the book took to develop. There are a lot of filler scenes for this short read. Essentially we meet lily who takes up a job as a nanny in Cornwall at Kewney Manor. She babysits the children of the Rowes Family. Initially all seems bliss, she loves her jobs and the family love her too. But she begins to notice pattern of behaviours that makes her question a few things.
Honestly it’s not a great read, I wouldn’t recommend it. The plot is forgettable and nothing stands out.
August 14, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a Nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life and never have to see him again. The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can't help feeling that something isn't quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the Nanny before? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?
Filled with lots of drama, twists and an intriguing plotline. The story is told from Lily's perspective. Lily had moved from London to Cornwall to get away from a toxic relationship. She takes a job as a Nanny. It's also filled with mystery and suspense. This psychological thriller found a way to draw me in and keep me there. But when something feels too good to be true, it's usually a warning sign. The tension builds and there's a creepy gothic feel to it. Some parts of the story are a bit predictable. The pace is really slow, so I took off half a star.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMcmillan and the author #LizzyBarber for my ARC of #NannyWanted in exchange for an honest review.
When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a Nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life and never have to see him again. The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can't help feeling that something isn't quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the Nanny before? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want?
Filled with lots of drama, twists and an intriguing plotline. The story is told from Lily's perspective. Lily had moved from London to Cornwall to get away from a toxic relationship. She takes a job as a Nanny. It's also filled with mystery and suspense. This psychological thriller found a way to draw me in and keep me there. But when something feels too good to be true, it's usually a warning sign. The tension builds and there's a creepy gothic feel to it. Some parts of the story are a bit predictable. The pace is really slow, so I took off half a star.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMcmillan and the author #LizzyBarber for my ARC of #NannyWanted in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2023
Lily needs a new job.
Nanny Wanted is a cracking read that delves deeply into the psychology of who we are and what we are capable of doing, wrapped into an entertaining domestic noir thriller that grips the reader. It reminded me of a modern day Daphne du Maurier with a similar underlying darkness that I found captivating.
The plot is so well balanced as Lily finds herself inserted into life in Kewney Manor. Lizzy Barber depicts her settings both beautifully and vividly so that Nina’s ordinary life of looking after Bess and William contrasts perfectly with the unsettling, volatile sections relating to her interactions with Laurie and Charles. This creates tension and drama so that I found myself suspecting even the most innocent comment or action.
Indeed, there’s an atmosphere of claustrophobia and threat in Nanny Wanted that leaves the reader on edge the whole time they are reading – a sense that something dark and wicked is approaching inexorably. I thought the title was brilliant because there is a vacancy for a nanny, but similarly it’s as if there’s something left uncovered or unsaid, as in nanny wanted to… which makes the reader’s imagination run riot!
I loved the characterisation. Lily is by no means an innocent bystander and some of her actions made me rail against her and yet Lizzy Barber still managed to make me fascinated by what happened to her and to ensure I was on Lily’s side throughout – not least because her relationship with Nick prior to arriving in Cornwall throws light on her behaviour.
The themes of Nanny Wanted are dark and compelling. Lizzy Barbour looks at nature and nurture, at coercive and toxic relationships, at identity and mental health, all woven into a narrative that feels intelligent and plausible.
Nanny Wanted is deliciously dark and disturbing. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to read just one more page, and then another… I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Nanny Wanted is a cracking read that delves deeply into the psychology of who we are and what we are capable of doing, wrapped into an entertaining domestic noir thriller that grips the reader. It reminded me of a modern day Daphne du Maurier with a similar underlying darkness that I found captivating.
The plot is so well balanced as Lily finds herself inserted into life in Kewney Manor. Lizzy Barber depicts her settings both beautifully and vividly so that Nina’s ordinary life of looking after Bess and William contrasts perfectly with the unsettling, volatile sections relating to her interactions with Laurie and Charles. This creates tension and drama so that I found myself suspecting even the most innocent comment or action.
Indeed, there’s an atmosphere of claustrophobia and threat in Nanny Wanted that leaves the reader on edge the whole time they are reading – a sense that something dark and wicked is approaching inexorably. I thought the title was brilliant because there is a vacancy for a nanny, but similarly it’s as if there’s something left uncovered or unsaid, as in nanny wanted to… which makes the reader’s imagination run riot!
I loved the characterisation. Lily is by no means an innocent bystander and some of her actions made me rail against her and yet Lizzy Barber still managed to make me fascinated by what happened to her and to ensure I was on Lily’s side throughout – not least because her relationship with Nick prior to arriving in Cornwall throws light on her behaviour.
The themes of Nanny Wanted are dark and compelling. Lizzy Barbour looks at nature and nurture, at coercive and toxic relationships, at identity and mental health, all woven into a narrative that feels intelligent and plausible.
Nanny Wanted is deliciously dark and disturbing. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to read just one more page, and then another… I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 15, 2024
Catherine Cooper called this a "slow-burn" but she didn't mention how slow!
Spent the first half waiting for it to pick up and the second half cringing at the questionable sex scenes.
The twist at the end surprised me I guess? But by then I didn't really care. I didn't care which one of them was a killer, I didn't care that she was manipulating him, I couldn't see him as a victim because he was a rapist.
Maybe I'm miss remembering but wasn't the first secret we learn about the scares on lauries back? Did I miss when that was ever addressed again?
What I have learned from this book is;
1) if a co-worker recommends a book to you always look up the content warnings so you don't get jumpscares.
2) It's okay to put a book down if you aren't enjoying it because maybe it won't get much better ....
Although I didn't enjoy this one very much, I wouldn't write this author off completely. I did like the writing style, I think the story just wasn't for me.
Finished reading February 2024
Spent the first half waiting for it to pick up and the second half cringing at the questionable sex scenes.
The twist at the end surprised me I guess? But by then I didn't really care. I didn't care which one of them was a killer, I didn't care that she was manipulating him, I couldn't see him as a victim because he was a rapist.
Maybe I'm miss remembering but wasn't the first secret we learn about the scares on lauries back? Did I miss when that was ever addressed again?
What I have learned from this book is;
1) if a co-worker recommends a book to you always look up the content warnings so you don't get jumpscares.
2) It's okay to put a book down if you aren't enjoying it because maybe it won't get much better ....
Although I didn't enjoy this one very much, I wouldn't write this author off completely. I did like the writing style, I think the story just wasn't for me.
Finished reading February 2024
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2025
Got really good at the end
August 21, 2023
★★★★ 3.5 stars (rounded up)
Keeping secrets is a must...
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again...oops, nope. Wrong book! But seriously, this one had modern day Daphne du Maurier vibes running through it. The author even got a mention here and there throughout. She was most definitely an inspiring factor for this tale.
Lily leaves her toxic relationship with Nick behind and flees to Cornwall when she sees a job for a nanny at Kewney Manor. The perfect solution, she can cut herself off from her old life and all that went with it and focus on moving forward. Only trouble is, she can't seem to leave him behind. Nick seems to be in her every thought or action...even in her new life.
The family she is working for - Charles and Laurie Rowe - seem like the perfect couple with the perfect family. They have two children, Bess and William, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But then strange things begin to happen, as they inevitably do. And soon Lily begins to wonder what she's really got herself into. Where does Laurie disappear to at night in nothing but a robe? And why won't anyone tell her about the nanny before her? What happened to her? And is Charles too smooth?
There is an element of claustrophobia throughout making NANNY WANTED an atmospheric read. It is dark and compelling examining toxic and coercive relationships, mental health all wrapped up into nature versus nurture. It's deliciously dark and disturbing in parts with that hint of du Maurier.
I would like to thank #LizzyBarber, #Netgalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #NannyWanted in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Keeping secrets is a must...
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again...oops, nope. Wrong book! But seriously, this one had modern day Daphne du Maurier vibes running through it. The author even got a mention here and there throughout. She was most definitely an inspiring factor for this tale.
Lily leaves her toxic relationship with Nick behind and flees to Cornwall when she sees a job for a nanny at Kewney Manor. The perfect solution, she can cut herself off from her old life and all that went with it and focus on moving forward. Only trouble is, she can't seem to leave him behind. Nick seems to be in her every thought or action...even in her new life.
The family she is working for - Charles and Laurie Rowe - seem like the perfect couple with the perfect family. They have two children, Bess and William, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But then strange things begin to happen, as they inevitably do. And soon Lily begins to wonder what she's really got herself into. Where does Laurie disappear to at night in nothing but a robe? And why won't anyone tell her about the nanny before her? What happened to her? And is Charles too smooth?
There is an element of claustrophobia throughout making NANNY WANTED an atmospheric read. It is dark and compelling examining toxic and coercive relationships, mental health all wrapped up into nature versus nurture. It's deliciously dark and disturbing in parts with that hint of du Maurier.
I would like to thank #LizzyBarber, #Netgalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #NannyWanted in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 10, 2023
Lizzy escapes her abusive relationship and applies for a live-in nanny post at Kewney Manor - a remote Cornish mansion.
It’s the perfect solution to cut herself off from her old life and she is soon settled in with the charming Rose family - Laurie, Charles & their 2 children.
But it’s not all as it seems, where does Laurie go at night and why will nobody tell her about the nanny who came before her.
Creepy and very atmospheric, with a real sense of dread, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
Definitely giving you the Daphne Du Maurer vibes
Thanks @lizzybarber @panmacmillan & @netgalley for the eARC
It’s the perfect solution to cut herself off from her old life and she is soon settled in with the charming Rose family - Laurie, Charles & their 2 children.
But it’s not all as it seems, where does Laurie go at night and why will nobody tell her about the nanny who came before her.
Creepy and very atmospheric, with a real sense of dread, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
Definitely giving you the Daphne Du Maurer vibes
Thanks @lizzybarber @panmacmillan & @netgalley for the eARC
October 21, 2023
I liked the concept and enjoyed the slow burn character of the story, but then the ending seemed quite rushed and the twists were a bit over the top in my opinion.
January 17, 2025
this was an extreme rip off of The Housemaid. at first I kind of appreciated that because it was like a second chance to reread one of my favorite books. But then the similarities got to be too much, super annoying.
The MC is literally a terrible person. She is very willingly jumping headfirst into the affair and loving it but acts like such a victim about it. There is little to no guilt shown from her, which obviously makes her a super icky person. And then the summary is basically that she did nothing *that* bad and was manipulated to sleep with him that whole time???? it was Laurie’s fault for “setting them up”??? wtf
“i’m literally just a girl🥺” was how it ended essentially. GAG
The writing was decent for most of the book which is why it’s not 1 star but the climactic scene at the end was reallyyy cringe and cheesy.
also this entire time I was just like, clearly you’re scared and don’t feel safe here, it hasn’t even been that long for you to be that invested in their lives, what is stopping you from just packing up and leaving? Like I understand that she’s scared of everything with Nick coming out. but girl the world is a very large place. You can’t think of one single other place to live on the entire planet that you could find privacy at? be SO FOR REAL
stupid book
The MC is literally a terrible person. She is very willingly jumping headfirst into the affair and loving it but acts like such a victim about it. There is little to no guilt shown from her, which obviously makes her a super icky person. And then the summary is basically that she did nothing *that* bad and was manipulated to sleep with him that whole time???? it was Laurie’s fault for “setting them up”??? wtf
“i’m literally just a girl🥺” was how it ended essentially. GAG
The writing was decent for most of the book which is why it’s not 1 star but the climactic scene at the end was reallyyy cringe and cheesy.
also this entire time I was just like, clearly you’re scared and don’t feel safe here, it hasn’t even been that long for you to be that invested in their lives, what is stopping you from just packing up and leaving? Like I understand that she’s scared of everything with Nick coming out. but girl the world is a very large place. You can’t think of one single other place to live on the entire planet that you could find privacy at? be SO FOR REAL
stupid book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2024
Of the 3x main characters in this story, none were likeable at all. Laurie had her demons but was manipulative from the start. Charles was just keen to shag around. Lily was naive and only just found her backbone (though clearly is using Joss!). Whilst I felt the story could have had potential, by the time I got to the 'twist', I could see it coming. The last quarter of the book felt rushed, and the story of Nick was an afterthought. 2.5 stars.
August 29, 2023
This was a very well written psychological thriller! I found the characters intriguing and they certainly had depth to them. I thought it was pretty clever overall and liked the ending.
August 23, 2023
Actual rating 3.5.
Nanny Wanted by Lizzy Barber 🧡
(Ad PR product)
Here’s another tense and atmospheric novel from Lizzy 👏
Set in an impressive and isolated manor on the cliffs of Cornwall, there’s a hint of the gothic and Du Maurier to this story, especially with the location, but also with that general feeling of trepidation as you’re reading. You can kind of see where it’s going from the beginning but the writing compels you to keep turning the pages until you reach that explosive ending (and boy was there a twist I didn’t see coming there!).
I thought Lily was a great character and you could see how easily she’d fall prey to people like the Rowes after the toxic relationship she’s just come out - I loved the psychology behind so much of this story. It’s definitely enough to put me off ever becoming a nanny (but let’s face it, so are kids in general 😂)! A great little page turner 🙌
Nanny Wanted by Lizzy Barber 🧡
(Ad PR product)
Here’s another tense and atmospheric novel from Lizzy 👏
Set in an impressive and isolated manor on the cliffs of Cornwall, there’s a hint of the gothic and Du Maurier to this story, especially with the location, but also with that general feeling of trepidation as you’re reading. You can kind of see where it’s going from the beginning but the writing compels you to keep turning the pages until you reach that explosive ending (and boy was there a twist I didn’t see coming there!).
I thought Lily was a great character and you could see how easily she’d fall prey to people like the Rowes after the toxic relationship she’s just come out - I loved the psychology behind so much of this story. It’s definitely enough to put me off ever becoming a nanny (but let’s face it, so are kids in general 😂)! A great little page turner 🙌
June 15, 2023
Rating: 3.6/5
"Nanny Wanted" is an entertaining piece of dramatic fiction, packed with gradually developing suspense and more than a hint of a modern Daphne du Maurier feel about it - in fact, du Maurier's works are referred to several times during the course of the narrative in a nod to their clear influence.
Having left behind a toxic relationship in London, Lily has headed for Cornwall. There she finds employment as a children's nanny at Kewney Manor, a substantial and impressive old house owned by Charles and Laurie Rowe. All seems well in the early days, but it isn't long before Lily starts to wonder whether everything is as perfect as it appears on the surface.
This compelling story held my attention throughout and it was a pleasure to read a novel that was so reminiscent of the wonderfully atmospheric books penned by Daphne du Maurier. Clearly, the setting is a huge help, but the author still needs to build on that backdrop and create characters and a plot that firmly grip the reader's attention. For the most part Lizzy Barber does a creditable job and there are a number of sections that are evocatively written and create appropriately atmospheric scenes. Were it not for occasional stylistic lapses and a few other shortcomings this book could have been not just a very enjoyable read, but a top-notch example of a suspense thriller. I detest spoilers in reviews, but I think can safely refer to one puzzlingly disappointing example to illustrate my point without risk of giving away any key information: There is a point in the main body of the story where the author clearly displays that she does not understand the difference between compulsory vehicle insurance and optional breakdown cover, as provided by the likes of the AA and RAC. It may be that the author is a non-driver and doesn't really appreciate that there is a very distinct difference, but it is the kind of error that suggests a lack of basic research and has the potential to reflect badly on the rest of the novel, or at least be an irritant. If not the author herself, then one of the editing team should really have picked up on this and had that section of the book re-written.
Nonetheless, in spite of these less positive aspects, I thoroughly enjoyed "Nanny Wanted". I would happily recommend that you pick up a copy and I will be looking forward to reading more from Lizzy Barber in future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
"Nanny Wanted" is an entertaining piece of dramatic fiction, packed with gradually developing suspense and more than a hint of a modern Daphne du Maurier feel about it - in fact, du Maurier's works are referred to several times during the course of the narrative in a nod to their clear influence.
Having left behind a toxic relationship in London, Lily has headed for Cornwall. There she finds employment as a children's nanny at Kewney Manor, a substantial and impressive old house owned by Charles and Laurie Rowe. All seems well in the early days, but it isn't long before Lily starts to wonder whether everything is as perfect as it appears on the surface.
This compelling story held my attention throughout and it was a pleasure to read a novel that was so reminiscent of the wonderfully atmospheric books penned by Daphne du Maurier. Clearly, the setting is a huge help, but the author still needs to build on that backdrop and create characters and a plot that firmly grip the reader's attention. For the most part Lizzy Barber does a creditable job and there are a number of sections that are evocatively written and create appropriately atmospheric scenes. Were it not for occasional stylistic lapses and a few other shortcomings this book could have been not just a very enjoyable read, but a top-notch example of a suspense thriller. I detest spoilers in reviews, but I think can safely refer to one puzzlingly disappointing example to illustrate my point without risk of giving away any key information: There is a point in the main body of the story where the author clearly displays that she does not understand the difference between compulsory vehicle insurance and optional breakdown cover, as provided by the likes of the AA and RAC. It may be that the author is a non-driver and doesn't really appreciate that there is a very distinct difference, but it is the kind of error that suggests a lack of basic research and has the potential to reflect badly on the rest of the novel, or at least be an irritant. If not the author herself, then one of the editing team should really have picked up on this and had that section of the book re-written.
Nonetheless, in spite of these less positive aspects, I thoroughly enjoyed "Nanny Wanted". I would happily recommend that you pick up a copy and I will be looking forward to reading more from Lizzy Barber in future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
October 28, 2023
Simmering, gripping, and claustrophobic!
Nanny Wanted is an ominous, character-driven thriller that introduces us to Lily, a young woman who, after fleeing London for a quieter existence and a place to hide, quickly discovers that everything is not as perfect as it seems in the affluent home of the Rowes family she’s employed by, relationships seem to be strained, everyone has a secret to hide, and danger potentially lurks around every corner.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are anxious, flawed, and vulnerable. And the plot is a darkly menacing tale full of twists, turns, revelations, insecurities, lies, manipulation, isolation, domestic abuse, familial dysfunction, and troubled pasts.
Overall, Nanny Wanted is a taut, atmospheric, unnerving tale by Barber that is deliciously relentless, surprising, deceptive, and bursting with eeriness.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nanny Wanted is an ominous, character-driven thriller that introduces us to Lily, a young woman who, after fleeing London for a quieter existence and a place to hide, quickly discovers that everything is not as perfect as it seems in the affluent home of the Rowes family she’s employed by, relationships seem to be strained, everyone has a secret to hide, and danger potentially lurks around every corner.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are anxious, flawed, and vulnerable. And the plot is a darkly menacing tale full of twists, turns, revelations, insecurities, lies, manipulation, isolation, domestic abuse, familial dysfunction, and troubled pasts.
Overall, Nanny Wanted is a taut, atmospheric, unnerving tale by Barber that is deliciously relentless, surprising, deceptive, and bursting with eeriness.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2023
If books with a strong sense of foreboding set in a sprawling mansion peopled with unreliable characters are your bag then Nanny Wanted has all of those things in spades.
Lily flees London for Cornwall and the home of the Rowe family after seeing an advert for a nanny. Her reasons for fleeing become apparent as the story progresses but Lily is looking for somewhere where she doesn't have to look over her shoulder all the time. Enter Kewney Manor and Laurie and Charles Rowe, with their children, Bess and Edward. However, what seems like a haven soon starts to make Lily feel ill at ease. Laurie seems fragile, Charles effortlessly charming, but is anyone what they seem?
Nanny Wanted is a claustrophobic and intense story of a young woman becoming embroiled in things that she knows nothing about. It's character-driven and taut with intrigue. A house like Kewney Manor has plenty of dark corners and shady attics, and the house holds its own secrets, although not quite as many as its inhabitants.
Nanny Wanted is a gothic thriller with all the hallmarks of Daphne du Maurier (Lily, working her way through the author's works in the library, would no doubt agree) and Lizzy Barber excels at conveying a sense of unease throughout.
Lily flees London for Cornwall and the home of the Rowe family after seeing an advert for a nanny. Her reasons for fleeing become apparent as the story progresses but Lily is looking for somewhere where she doesn't have to look over her shoulder all the time. Enter Kewney Manor and Laurie and Charles Rowe, with their children, Bess and Edward. However, what seems like a haven soon starts to make Lily feel ill at ease. Laurie seems fragile, Charles effortlessly charming, but is anyone what they seem?
Nanny Wanted is a claustrophobic and intense story of a young woman becoming embroiled in things that she knows nothing about. It's character-driven and taut with intrigue. A house like Kewney Manor has plenty of dark corners and shady attics, and the house holds its own secrets, although not quite as many as its inhabitants.
Nanny Wanted is a gothic thriller with all the hallmarks of Daphne du Maurier (Lily, working her way through the author's works in the library, would no doubt agree) and Lizzy Barber excels at conveying a sense of unease throughout.
August 17, 2023
'Nanny Wanted' is an okay read but it did not fully deliver. I liked the premise and initially I was interested to see what would happen but somewhere along the way this got a bit lost and I ended up losing interest in it. The characters were okay but they are not the most likeable of characters and I did struggle to care about them and what would happen to them. I did really like the setting, both the house and Cornwall offered a balance between the beauty of the surroundings and the horror of the events that unravel. I liked this book but it was missing some energy and a spark to maintain my interest. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy.
January 8, 2025
An incredible novel. My heart was racing the entire time, and I kept glancing over my shoulder, having been completely transported from my cosy reading nook to the manor where this story unfolds, and experiencing every eerie creak and shifting shadow like I was right there with Lily, the main character.
The couple Lily stayed with was totally creepy. I half expected that at least one of them was undead—or a serial killer at least.
Lily herself was a fantastic protagonist. Despite making some poor choices, I understood her and found her to be relatable. Well, I did, until the very end when she shocked me.
I’ve often been let down by psychological thrillers that felt too slow or lacked a real sense of danger. Not Nanny Wanted. This book nailed the pacing and delivered genuine, spine-tingling thrills.
Highly recommended. Five shining stars.
The couple Lily stayed with was totally creepy. I half expected that at least one of them was undead—or a serial killer at least.
Lily herself was a fantastic protagonist. Despite making some poor choices, I understood her and found her to be relatable. Well, I did, until the very end when she shocked me.
I’ve often been let down by psychological thrillers that felt too slow or lacked a real sense of danger. Not Nanny Wanted. This book nailed the pacing and delivered genuine, spine-tingling thrills.
Highly recommended. Five shining stars.
September 5, 2024
Grammatical errors, overuse of the thesaurus. A shame it could have been a thrilling story but spoilt by errors and unnecessary words. The ending whilst acceptable just fell flat. Shame
August 22, 2023
I felt an emotional connection with Lily from the beginning. Vulnerable and escaping from a past that has left her fearful of the world, I really wanted her to be safe and loved…
She’s a fabulously strong lead and carries the story so well. Her actions (at times) had me holding my head with both hands in despair but she’s not afraid to go the full distance in uncovering the truth and putting herself in danger. Clues from her past are nebulous and did make me waiver in my belief towards her. Was she an unreliable narrator? This is how I felt about Rachel in Out of Her Depth too. And isn’t this a fab skill, to make us, as readers, question what we think we know and doubt our feelings!
It’s a strange experience being in someone else’s life and home, adapting to their routines and expectations. Lily has to read between the lines and change her behaviours to please the Rowes because she needs this job. It’s exhausting trying to negotiate the emotional landscape! I think it says a lot about Lily’s character for how she copes with the seesaw of interactions! She’s a woman I’d want by my side for sure.
Laurie and Charles not only confused me as a couple but with their separate identities too. The combination of Lily makes this trio explosive … you get an idea of where the story is going from the prologue, however, I was so, so wrong about all three.
From the moment Lily steps into Kewney Manor the suspense keeps on building. The isolation that’s meant to be a salve becomes oppressive and suffocating very quickly to the point where you forget there’s a world outside of Kewney Manor.
Lizzy Barber’s writing style heightens the intensity and her pacing made me just want to keep reading. In fact, I sneaked half an hour before dinner – which turned into an hour or more. Be warned, you’ll get so into what’s happening in the story and want to know what comes next that you’ll struggle to get on with your own life 🙂
Be prepared for lots of shallow breathing (I don’t think I took a full breath until the final chapter). Yes, the suspense and fear really are that good. I had to ground myself after a reading session because otherwise, I’d carry around the feelings.
I loved the final chapter of 2023. Ten years later and it’s perfect.
Nanny Wanted is a gothic tale with a modern spin. Layers and layers of emotions are peeled back to the raw core of what motivates us as humans. Outstanding.
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/revie...
She’s a fabulously strong lead and carries the story so well. Her actions (at times) had me holding my head with both hands in despair but she’s not afraid to go the full distance in uncovering the truth and putting herself in danger. Clues from her past are nebulous and did make me waiver in my belief towards her. Was she an unreliable narrator? This is how I felt about Rachel in Out of Her Depth too. And isn’t this a fab skill, to make us, as readers, question what we think we know and doubt our feelings!
It’s a strange experience being in someone else’s life and home, adapting to their routines and expectations. Lily has to read between the lines and change her behaviours to please the Rowes because she needs this job. It’s exhausting trying to negotiate the emotional landscape! I think it says a lot about Lily’s character for how she copes with the seesaw of interactions! She’s a woman I’d want by my side for sure.
Laurie and Charles not only confused me as a couple but with their separate identities too. The combination of Lily makes this trio explosive … you get an idea of where the story is going from the prologue, however, I was so, so wrong about all three.
From the moment Lily steps into Kewney Manor the suspense keeps on building. The isolation that’s meant to be a salve becomes oppressive and suffocating very quickly to the point where you forget there’s a world outside of Kewney Manor.
Lizzy Barber’s writing style heightens the intensity and her pacing made me just want to keep reading. In fact, I sneaked half an hour before dinner – which turned into an hour or more. Be warned, you’ll get so into what’s happening in the story and want to know what comes next that you’ll struggle to get on with your own life 🙂
Be prepared for lots of shallow breathing (I don’t think I took a full breath until the final chapter). Yes, the suspense and fear really are that good. I had to ground myself after a reading session because otherwise, I’d carry around the feelings.
I loved the final chapter of 2023. Ten years later and it’s perfect.
Nanny Wanted is a gothic tale with a modern spin. Layers and layers of emotions are peeled back to the raw core of what motivates us as humans. Outstanding.
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/revie...
August 14, 2023
If you're looking for your next 'devour in one read' story about how the other half live in their mega-rich lives, look no further, Lizzy Barber has got you covered!
All of the elements of the story came together wonderfully in this pacey character-driven domestic thriller. I was completely taken aback by some of the plot twists which is always a great sign and was glued to the page from start to finish.
Lily is running away from her abusive ex-boyfriend Nick once and for all, and finds a great chance for a fresh start as a nanny in a remote country house in Cornwall. The house is idyllic, it has more rooms than you can count, staff everywhere to cover every domestic task, a family history that goes back for generations, first editions of classic books in the library, the works.
The owners of the house, old-money Charles and American incomer Laurie, along with their children Bess and William, are the most welcoming hosts, urging Lily to make herself at home and settle into her new life. Laurie is a bit isolated as a newcomer to the area, and her and Lily quickly become close, with Laurie even buying expensive outfits as gifts. Charles, in the meantime, is suave and debonair, complimenting Lily on her outfits and her opinions. As you read, you know that something is going to happen between Lily and at least one of them, just waiting for the moment that a lingering glance becomes a little bit more loaded.
The longer that Lily stays at Kewney Manor, the more that she starts to question the family's set-up, with some glimpses of Charles' violent temper and Laurie's stubborn behaviour. She spots fractures in their relationship and is keen to find out more about the family. Most of the couples' friends and neighbours are very discreet about what has happened in the past, leaving Lily to make her own enquiries.
There's a particularly awkward dinner party which left me giddy with second-hand embarrassment to read about, Im still cringing now! There's also an ex-nanny that no-one talks about, and a sexy young gardener Joss who sounds really rather dreamy!
The book sizzled with tension and mystery, with more intrigue in every chapter, particularly as the story developed and built towards its final reveal.
All of the elements of the story came together wonderfully in this pacey character-driven domestic thriller. I was completely taken aback by some of the plot twists which is always a great sign and was glued to the page from start to finish.
Lily is running away from her abusive ex-boyfriend Nick once and for all, and finds a great chance for a fresh start as a nanny in a remote country house in Cornwall. The house is idyllic, it has more rooms than you can count, staff everywhere to cover every domestic task, a family history that goes back for generations, first editions of classic books in the library, the works.
The owners of the house, old-money Charles and American incomer Laurie, along with their children Bess and William, are the most welcoming hosts, urging Lily to make herself at home and settle into her new life. Laurie is a bit isolated as a newcomer to the area, and her and Lily quickly become close, with Laurie even buying expensive outfits as gifts. Charles, in the meantime, is suave and debonair, complimenting Lily on her outfits and her opinions. As you read, you know that something is going to happen between Lily and at least one of them, just waiting for the moment that a lingering glance becomes a little bit more loaded.
The longer that Lily stays at Kewney Manor, the more that she starts to question the family's set-up, with some glimpses of Charles' violent temper and Laurie's stubborn behaviour. She spots fractures in their relationship and is keen to find out more about the family. Most of the couples' friends and neighbours are very discreet about what has happened in the past, leaving Lily to make her own enquiries.
There's a particularly awkward dinner party which left me giddy with second-hand embarrassment to read about, Im still cringing now! There's also an ex-nanny that no-one talks about, and a sexy young gardener Joss who sounds really rather dreamy!
The book sizzled with tension and mystery, with more intrigue in every chapter, particularly as the story developed and built towards its final reveal.
August 20, 2023
New nanny Lily hopes Kewney Manor is Cornwall will offer safety after her escape from a toxic relationship. But the Rowe family, though welcoming and kind at first, exhibit some strange behaviour. The children are delightful but their parents Charles and Laurie’s relationship is volatile, and their behaviour spills over into Lily’s new life.
As Lily tries to discover what happened to the Rowes’ previous nanny, she uncovers family secrets even darker than her own.
This story gripped me right from the beginning. Despite being set firmly in the twenty-first century, it had an air of Gothic mystery about it, with echoes of Daphne duMaurier’s Rebecca and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.
The atmosphere is set up nicely with the description of Kewney Manor, an eighteenth century isolated house, with suits of armour in the corridor and dusty stairs leading to abandoned attics. But there are noises in the night, lots of strange comings and goings, and hints of a tragedy that once took place in their ancestral home.
The characters are skilfully drawn and nuanced in their behaviour – Charles and Laurie have so many facets to their personality that they remain consistently interesting, sometimes suspicious, sometimes sympathetic, and always with a hint of rawness that could spill over into something more toxic. Looking on, Lily is sometimes passive, sometimes proactive, and not always a reliable narrator.
Along with the exciting plot, the theme throughout the story deals with the troubling issue of coercive control. But who is controlling whom?
Author Lizzy Barber offers us an exciting story, and plenty to ponder on – I definitely recommend this read.
As Lily tries to discover what happened to the Rowes’ previous nanny, she uncovers family secrets even darker than her own.
This story gripped me right from the beginning. Despite being set firmly in the twenty-first century, it had an air of Gothic mystery about it, with echoes of Daphne duMaurier’s Rebecca and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.
The atmosphere is set up nicely with the description of Kewney Manor, an eighteenth century isolated house, with suits of armour in the corridor and dusty stairs leading to abandoned attics. But there are noises in the night, lots of strange comings and goings, and hints of a tragedy that once took place in their ancestral home.
The characters are skilfully drawn and nuanced in their behaviour – Charles and Laurie have so many facets to their personality that they remain consistently interesting, sometimes suspicious, sometimes sympathetic, and always with a hint of rawness that could spill over into something more toxic. Looking on, Lily is sometimes passive, sometimes proactive, and not always a reliable narrator.
Along with the exciting plot, the theme throughout the story deals with the troubling issue of coercive control. But who is controlling whom?
Author Lizzy Barber offers us an exciting story, and plenty to ponder on – I definitely recommend this read.
December 30, 2024
Very readable but all a bit silly really. Main character doesn't come over as terribly believable - she is a total doormat to every man she encounters, yet has the confidence and gumption to become an instantly effective nanny to a pair of (fairly precocious) kids she is not even introduced to before beginning her duties, and then go on to attend fancy dinner parties on a moment's notice, both as guest and staff, then finally indulge in some top-level sleuthing.
Fair enough, the couple who engage her have their dodgy secrets, but surely nannying jobs usually require references of some kind? She gets the job with no real interview or background checks at all, which doesn't seem plausible (and would surely create suspicion in even the character herself?) The couple themselves are dreadful stereotypes: he older, broodingly handsome, very rich but with a rather vague job (in the wilds of Cornwall, for goodness sake) that seems to have very fluid working hours; she arty and ethereal, with alarming mood swings and a penchant for midnight barefoot coastal wanderings.
No real person, however desperate to escape bad stuff in their past, would accept the conditions of this job without explicit questioning of the seemingly ever-changing expectations. This main character does, though, which leads her into a bit of a pickle from day one. And it simply makes no sense that she can't just up and leave once she realises exactly how much of a pickle she is in. She doesn't even have to go back to her previous life; just move on somewhere else - her employers are clearly very generous so her savings must be adequate by such time.
Fair enough, the couple who engage her have their dodgy secrets, but surely nannying jobs usually require references of some kind? She gets the job with no real interview or background checks at all, which doesn't seem plausible (and would surely create suspicion in even the character herself?) The couple themselves are dreadful stereotypes: he older, broodingly handsome, very rich but with a rather vague job (in the wilds of Cornwall, for goodness sake) that seems to have very fluid working hours; she arty and ethereal, with alarming mood swings and a penchant for midnight barefoot coastal wanderings.
No real person, however desperate to escape bad stuff in their past, would accept the conditions of this job without explicit questioning of the seemingly ever-changing expectations. This main character does, though, which leads her into a bit of a pickle from day one. And it simply makes no sense that she can't just up and leave once she realises exactly how much of a pickle she is in. She doesn't even have to go back to her previous life; just move on somewhere else - her employers are clearly very generous so her savings must be adequate by such time.
September 20, 2023
Lily drops everything and takes up the position of Nanny to two small children in a country estate home on the Cornish coast.
She becomes Isolated and uncomfortable despite Mrs Rowe’s warm welcome there is the itching creeping fear of something not quite right puts which you at prickling attention as intrigue is created. The shared moments with Charles in the library and attending dinner parties with the Rowe’s allow Lily to piece together that something isn’t quite as it seems….
The Sensuous description places you in the Rowe family home, take time to slip in to their evening wear, mist yourself in their perfume and let the Gothic imagery of Kewney Manor envelop you.
The reader will get the best out of this book by making time to enjoy it in large chunks as the atmosphere is nicely crafted with some really beautiful writing however I read in snippets and found it hard to build momentum, that being said, the characters were well created and memorable so it was easy to remember what was happening in the plot.
I personally found it difficult to empathise with Lily and some of the plot points feel very predictable however there are plenty of interesting twists and turns in the final third which were satisfying and made up for the slower start.
This is a great atmospheric autumn read. I was impressed that the author, Lizzy Barker, even managed to slip in a jump scare at one point!
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan / Pan Books for the ARC and thank you to Lizzy Barker for the mystery and thrill!
She becomes Isolated and uncomfortable despite Mrs Rowe’s warm welcome there is the itching creeping fear of something not quite right puts which you at prickling attention as intrigue is created. The shared moments with Charles in the library and attending dinner parties with the Rowe’s allow Lily to piece together that something isn’t quite as it seems….
The Sensuous description places you in the Rowe family home, take time to slip in to their evening wear, mist yourself in their perfume and let the Gothic imagery of Kewney Manor envelop you.
The reader will get the best out of this book by making time to enjoy it in large chunks as the atmosphere is nicely crafted with some really beautiful writing however I read in snippets and found it hard to build momentum, that being said, the characters were well created and memorable so it was easy to remember what was happening in the plot.
I personally found it difficult to empathise with Lily and some of the plot points feel very predictable however there are plenty of interesting twists and turns in the final third which were satisfying and made up for the slower start.
This is a great atmospheric autumn read. I was impressed that the author, Lizzy Barker, even managed to slip in a jump scare at one point!
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan / Pan Books for the ARC and thank you to Lizzy Barker for the mystery and thrill!
April 14, 2023
𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 𝐋𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫
⭐️⭐️⭐️(𝟑.𝟓)
I received this ARC from @netgalley and @panmacmillan in exchange for my honest review, so a huge Thankyou.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.
This book was very well written and I think it is a perfect read for those new to the thriller & mystery genre! This book is sinister and full of family forbidden secrets.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦.
The rating I have given this book is due to finding it quite a slow burner and personally myself I enjoy more of a fast pace, edge of your seat thriller, however that said I did find the storyline and plot did keep me reading as I was eager to see how the plot played out.
I loved the setting of this book. It was based in Cornwall and as a person who travels a lot there for holidays it was nice to be familiar with the name drops of villages within the Cornwall community.
I have heard great views on Out Of My Depth and I am keen to read this to compare.
⭐️⭐️⭐️(𝟑.𝟓)
I received this ARC from @netgalley and @panmacmillan in exchange for my honest review, so a huge Thankyou.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.
This book was very well written and I think it is a perfect read for those new to the thriller & mystery genre! This book is sinister and full of family forbidden secrets.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦.
The rating I have given this book is due to finding it quite a slow burner and personally myself I enjoy more of a fast pace, edge of your seat thriller, however that said I did find the storyline and plot did keep me reading as I was eager to see how the plot played out.
I loved the setting of this book. It was based in Cornwall and as a person who travels a lot there for holidays it was nice to be familiar with the name drops of villages within the Cornwall community.
I have heard great views on Out Of My Depth and I am keen to read this to compare.
June 27, 2023
Determined to put a toxic relationship behind her, Lily decides to take a new job in Cornwall, as a nanny with the Rowe family. At least, she figures, that way she can leave her past mistakes where they belong - firmly in the past.
Arriving at her new workplace, she is charmed by her employers, Charles and Laurie Rowe. Laurie's generosity in giving Lily her lightly used designer clothing simply seals an already sweet deal.
But, as Lily slowly begins to realise, things are not quite as they seem. Charles and Laurie's perfect marriage is far from perfect - as the late night fights she overhears indicate.
And why will nobody tell her what happened to her predecessor? As Lily's concerns multiply, she is beginning to worry - with some justification - that she may have jumped from the discomfort of the frying fan straight into the fire...
Definitely a slow-burn thriller as the first half of the story unfolds, things significantly pick up speed in the second half. The author delivers twists galore in this well-plotted offering, and readers will find plenty to enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Arriving at her new workplace, she is charmed by her employers, Charles and Laurie Rowe. Laurie's generosity in giving Lily her lightly used designer clothing simply seals an already sweet deal.
But, as Lily slowly begins to realise, things are not quite as they seem. Charles and Laurie's perfect marriage is far from perfect - as the late night fights she overhears indicate.
And why will nobody tell her what happened to her predecessor? As Lily's concerns multiply, she is beginning to worry - with some justification - that she may have jumped from the discomfort of the frying fan straight into the fire...
Definitely a slow-burn thriller as the first half of the story unfolds, things significantly pick up speed in the second half. The author delivers twists galore in this well-plotted offering, and readers will find plenty to enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 29, 2023
Lily escapes aa abusive relationship with Nick in London and vows that she will never be controlled again. She wants to start a new life away from where people know her. So, she decides to take a job as a Nanny in a remote part of Cornwall at Kewney Manor.
The owners Charlie and Laurie Rowe and their children Bessie and William at first glance at typical upper-class family who have loads of friends and hold dinner parties. They are very generous Laurie buys her clothes to wear at these parties. But underneath the surface there are not as they seem, and they hold a lot of secrets. Especially about Lily’s predecessor who just disappeared overnight.
Thank you, Pan Mc Millan, for a copy of The Nanny by Lizzy Barber. When I first read the blurb for this, I found this to be really intriguing. But when I started reading. I found this to be slow and I thought it took forever for the story to get going. There was a lot of twists in this story but, for me personally I found them quite predicable. 3 stars.
The owners Charlie and Laurie Rowe and their children Bessie and William at first glance at typical upper-class family who have loads of friends and hold dinner parties. They are very generous Laurie buys her clothes to wear at these parties. But underneath the surface there are not as they seem, and they hold a lot of secrets. Especially about Lily’s predecessor who just disappeared overnight.
Thank you, Pan Mc Millan, for a copy of The Nanny by Lizzy Barber. When I first read the blurb for this, I found this to be really intriguing. But when I started reading. I found this to be slow and I thought it took forever for the story to get going. There was a lot of twists in this story but, for me personally I found them quite predicable. 3 stars.
September 8, 2023
Nanny Wanted is a twisty read that will have you turning the pages at every moment you get.
Lily has just left a toxic relationship, she should have left long ago but she’s done it now. Kewney Manor is where she is heading to be a nanny for the Rowes family. Lily is hopeful this is where she can’t be found and her ex will leave her in peace. Lily gets on well with the two children and Laurie and Charles welcome her into their home and things seem like they are going well. Except why does no one speak of the previous nanny and why she left, Laurie disappears at night but where does she go and what is wrong with Charles? Lily tries to do some digging with loose lipped friends of the family and starts to find out things aren’t quite as simple here as she first thought.
I enjoyed this book and the twists just kept coming, some I’d worked out and others I’d not. The book flowed well and the characters were well written so I felt more aligned with the storyline.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Lily has just left a toxic relationship, she should have left long ago but she’s done it now. Kewney Manor is where she is heading to be a nanny for the Rowes family. Lily is hopeful this is where she can’t be found and her ex will leave her in peace. Lily gets on well with the two children and Laurie and Charles welcome her into their home and things seem like they are going well. Except why does no one speak of the previous nanny and why she left, Laurie disappears at night but where does she go and what is wrong with Charles? Lily tries to do some digging with loose lipped friends of the family and starts to find out things aren’t quite as simple here as she first thought.
I enjoyed this book and the twists just kept coming, some I’d worked out and others I’d not. The book flowed well and the characters were well written so I felt more aligned with the storyline.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2023
Lily finds herself running from her life in London, escaping her past relationship. When she comes across an advert for a nanny in remote Cornwall, it couldn't be better timing.
Before you know it, Lily is delivered to the imposing Kewney Manor with it's eccentric owners, the Rowes. All is not what it seems and Lily finds herself embroiled within it's mystery.
Nanny Wanted is a suspense thriller that builds throughout the story. There are a few predictable twists and turns and a couple that actually did take me by surprise.
Overall, an enjoyable read that paints a beautiful picture of Cornwall. It just makes you want to pack up your case and head off down south.
Although, I did struggle to gel with the main character and I wish the nanny's charges were developed a little more throughout.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in lieu of an honest review. #Netgalley #NannyWanted
Before you know it, Lily is delivered to the imposing Kewney Manor with it's eccentric owners, the Rowes. All is not what it seems and Lily finds herself embroiled within it's mystery.
Nanny Wanted is a suspense thriller that builds throughout the story. There are a few predictable twists and turns and a couple that actually did take me by surprise.
Overall, an enjoyable read that paints a beautiful picture of Cornwall. It just makes you want to pack up your case and head off down south.
Although, I did struggle to gel with the main character and I wish the nanny's charges were developed a little more throughout.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in lieu of an honest review. #Netgalley #NannyWanted
April 7, 2023
Lily is escaping her life, and takes the job she sees in a newspaper to be a Nanny in the beautiful Cornish coast.
If it seems too good to be true, it absolutely is, but it’s too late for Lily.
Working for Laurie and Charles in the huge coastal pile, being given kind gifts of beautiful couture by Laurie and treated like a beloved member of the family, but what happened to the former nanny and why are Charles and Laurie involved in late night fights?
This was written wonderfully, drawing you in, much like Lily was in to the trap and from there you have to hold on. When you think you know what’s happening, everything changes again.
A little bit domestic noir and a little psychological thriller. A great read.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which I am glad to have provided.
If it seems too good to be true, it absolutely is, but it’s too late for Lily.
Working for Laurie and Charles in the huge coastal pile, being given kind gifts of beautiful couture by Laurie and treated like a beloved member of the family, but what happened to the former nanny and why are Charles and Laurie involved in late night fights?
This was written wonderfully, drawing you in, much like Lily was in to the trap and from there you have to hold on. When you think you know what’s happening, everything changes again.
A little bit domestic noir and a little psychological thriller. A great read.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which I am glad to have provided.
April 9, 2023
#NannyWanted #NetGalley
Good one.
When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.
The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny who came before her? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want? As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies . . .
I'm looking more from this author certainly.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me an advance copy.
Good one.
When Lily finally leaves her toxic relationship, a job as a nanny at Kewney Manor seems like the perfect solution. There, she can cut herself off from her old life, and never have to see him again.
The Rowes seem like a model family, and Lily falls instantly in love with her new home. But she can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right. Why will nobody tell her about the nanny who came before her? Where does Laurie go at night? And what does Charles really want? As Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies . . .
I'm looking more from this author certainly.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me an advance copy.
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