Mummy, she’s gone…’

Gemma Ballantine is getting ready for work one morning when her eldest child comes running down the stairs, saying the words every mother dreads.

The front door is open. And her six-year-old daughter has disappeared. Frantic with fear, Gemma starts a nail-biting search for her little girl.

After what feels like forever, her mother-in-law Diane finds Katie wandering lost a few streets away. Relieved to have her youngest child back in her arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, Gemma thinks the nightmare is over.

But then her perfect family starts to fall apart.

And she realises it’s only just beginning…


What a fantastic book. This author has a knack of making her characters so real and unbelievable. She's quickly become one of my favourite authors.

The Perfect Family will hook you from the first page, keep you intrigued and won't let you go until the final, spine tingling twist. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Gemma Ballantine is getting ready for work one morning when her eldest child comes running down the stairs, saying the words every mother dreads.
The front door is open. And her six-year-old daughter has disappeared. Frantic with fear, Gemma starts a nail-biting search for her little girl.
After what feels like forever, her mother-in-law Diane finds Katie wandering lost a few streets away. Relieved to have her youngest child back in her arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, Gemma thinks the nightmare is over.
But then her perfect family starts to fall apart.
And she realises it’s only just beginning…

As Gemma's job keeps her busy and her husband also has a job with different hours every day then the solution is to hire a nanny. Also their other daughter Eva has punched another child so it seems that things are out of control. On top of that Gemma's car is vandalized. But is the nanny the solution. As more and ore things come into play it looks like the nanny is there to take away Gemma's family. As things come to a head then more discoveries are found. And just when you think you have it all figured out another twist comes in but then I was starting to have my doubts as well.

Shalini Boland has recently become a firm favourite of mine- she offers up fantastic stories based around what can be described as real people and situations- characters that a regular person can relate to.

And this offering was no different- a real run of the mill family sucked into something that at first glance doesn't appear too sinister- but as the story progresses goes deeper and deeper.

This book is told mainly in Gemmas POV with the odd look into Sadies situation.

Gemma is a full time working mother- she owns her own business- and her and her husband Robert are failing to balance their family lives around their work lives and hire a nanny.

And even though prior to hiring this nanny- everything was going wrong for Gemma and she had already been targeted- shes gets it into her head this must be all the nanny- Sadies fault.

I really enjoyed this book- perhaps a little dragged out at times- and as for the perpetrator- well I pretty much had that down from the beginning- its an excellent way to pass a few hours.

This wasnt my first Shalini book- and it wont be my last!

What an excellent book!!!! I felt like I knew each and every character... fantastic read full of twists and turns..

One minute the world is perfect the next it can come cashing down. Gemma has the perfect marriage, family, kids, everything is going great until one day things start getting out of control. What happens when everything you thought comes into question, who is behind it or is it really you? Thank you NetGalley.

Gemma has the perfect family with a great husband and two little girls. However, she works full-time as well and is being torn in all directions trying to be supermom. Gemma's mother-in-law recommends Sadie as a live-in nanny to the girls. Of course, everything is perfect at first once Sadie moves in and Gemma can focus on work. But things slowly start getting strange. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, the proverbial rug was pulled out from under me! Highly recommend this one!

The Perfect Family by Shalini Boland is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:
To all appearances, Gemma Ballantine has the perfect life. She runs her own company. Her handsome husband also has his own business. Their two children, 6-year old Katie, and 10-year old Eva are happy and well-adjusted. Maybe their house is a little messy, and things are a little hectic, but they are happy.

It all falls apart one morning when little Katie walks out the front door before school, and Gemma falls apart. Even though Katie is found, anxiety abounds. When Diane, her rather interfering mother-in-law, suggests a nanny, Gemma at first balks. But as she starts to realize that she seems to be behind on her daughters school activities as well as housework, Gemma finally sees the benefits.  A nanny is needed.

Diane seems to have found the perfect nanny. Not only do the kids love her, but Sadie is able to help with Eva’s preparation for a new school acceptance program. She cooks, she cleans, she looks after the kids, always willing to help out. Gemma starts to feel “redundant”. If she only knew.

My Opinions:
Shalini Boland’s books are rather mesmerizing. This one was no exception. It held you tight from the first moment, and as the suspense rose, you were afraid to put it down.

The characters were true to the story. You either loved them or hated them. Even though you knew Sadie was bad from the start, you didn’t see the end coming. The twist at the end definitely surprised me. Loved it!

Recommend this one!

OOOOOOOOOOOHH!!!!! My first experience with Shalini Boland and definitely not my last!! VERY good!!! If you like suspense and twists, this is for you!!
I was hooked from the first page and it didn't let up! Love the characters, also! Very well written!
Definitely going back and reading other the books from this author!! Thanks NetGalley for my ARC!!

This is a great book which will have you gripped from the start.
Gemma and Robert seem to have the perfect family with their two girls. They all wish Gemma wouldn’t work quite so much but on the whole they get on well.
Someone isn’t happy though....
There’s chapters interspersed with the main story from a mystery person who is desperate for Gemma and Robert to split up, but it’s not until the very end that you find out who this is.
I thought I had it worked out and at one point I was pleased that I was right, then the rug was pulled out from under me!
At some points this book will make your blood boil as you really feel sorry for Gemma and I found myself wanting her to see through the charade.
This is yet as other great read from Shalini Boland.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

It seems that everyone is using the word "twist" to describe a psychological thriller and domestic drama these days, but here is one that really fits. I was completely unable to put it down as I raced through the pages. The tension ratcheted up with almost every chapter and, even though I thought I KNEW where this one was going, I was wrong!

Gemma is a busy wife and mother. With her own business, a facilities management firm, requiring much of her attention and long hours, she finds herself in need of some help. Her husband, Robert, and their two little girls (Katie and Eva) can really do with someone to do some child care, cooking, and tutoring. When Sadie Lewis, recommended by Gemma's mother-in-law, arrives for an interview, both Gemma and Robert think she will be perfect. But that's when the real trouble begins...NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this standalone novel and have also read two other books by this very talented author. She has a way of immediately setting the stage, drawing you in, and keeping you totally hooked until the SHOCKER. If you read a lot of this genre, as I do, then you probably can usually figure out what's up early on, but this one will take you a bit longer, I promise. It was fast and fun and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I can't wait for Shalini Boland's next book!

Very twisty and just when you think you have it figured out, turns around to something completely unpredictable again.

Perfect for fans of marital drama with a tang of women's fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.

I love Shalini's work, her books never fail to disappoint and they always leave me wanting more.  This story literally grabbed a hold of me and sucked me in.  I was gripped and sitting on the edge of my seat with ever chapter, right to the very end.  As for that sneaky twist come the end, absolutely loved it, never saw it coming lol.

I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I loved getting to know Gemma and the rest of her family, as for the Nanny Sadie, well she's a piece of work for sure and I certainly wouldn't want her anywhere near my loved ones.

I've said it before but I'm going to say it again, Shalini has such a way with words that she just draws you in right from the beginning, keeps you enthralled throughout and leaves you with bated breath right to the very end. Which is exactly what she did with this latest book of hers.

So if you are looking for a book that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat in eager anticipation as to what will happen next, with a shocker of a twist come the end and be completely captivated throughout, then you really need to read this book.

Shalini Boland is one of my favorite writers . I have read and loved every one of her books. One of the things that is so good about her writing is the uniqueness of her stories. This story is definitely unique and surprising. It is a story about a working mother trying to manage a successful career and a wonderful family at the same time. Feeling she is needing some help at the homefront, she decides to hire a nanny to eleveat some of the stress. At some point she begins to regret this decision and things start falling apart. What is behind her fears? Is she losing her mind or is there more to it? A great read...highly recommended!

I raced through this book in one day. It is very up to date and a little frightening to think that things like this could actually happen!!

Once again it a very well written compelling read, the characters were well drawn and the plot well paced and believable.

If you are looking for a 'Can't Put It Down ' psychological thriller then look no further!

5 big fat shiny stars *****

This is another brilliant story by Shalini Boland. I was hooked from the start and read this book in one sitting. The ending is unexpected and a really good twist to finish with. I would definitely recommend this book and any book that Shalini has written.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Gemma and Robert Ballantine have a busy work schedules. He is a personnel trainer while she owns her own business. While Gemma is getting ready for work one morning, her eldest daughter tells her that her little sister, Eva is missing. Gemma discovers the front door is open and frantically searches outside. Luckily, after a few minutes, Eva appears with her grandmother, Diane. But things just go from bad to worse after this. Diane talks them into getting a live-in nanny/tutor for the girls and recommends Sadie to them.

This is another book where you can't say too much as it would contain too many spoilers. I thought I knew where this story was going, even with the twists, it was easy to see. But I was so very wrong. I liked Robert and Gemma, like most married couples they have their ups and downs, juggling family life with their work commitments. Shalini Boland has quickly become one of my favourite authors. This book is gripping from the start, I read it in one sitting. The final twist I never saw coming and boy it's a good one. I highly recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Shalini Boland for my ARC In exchange for an honest review.

A parent's worst nightmare... you're just about to leave the house for the day, make the school run, and head to work when you realize your 6 year old daughter walked out the front door of your house onto a busy road! 
Thank God for your mother-in-law who happened to be traveling on the way out and noticed little Katie lost on the road! Whew... good mother-in-laws are hard to find you know! 
Have you ever looked, as an outsider/stranger/acquaintance, at a woman who seems to have it all? Career, nice house on the seaside, a wonderful loving husband, 2 beautiful kids... they're so annoying right? They seem... perfect. The perfect family. Except The Perfect Family doesn't exist. Ever. Even though Gemma and Robert try really hard to put up a front, they need help. They are stretched too thin with work and kids. Again, thank God for Robert's family. His mother, sister-in-law and brother have always been there for them when things get tough. 
If it weren't for Robert's mother, who knows just about everyone in the community, Gemma and Robert wouldn't have known what to do when they realized they can't juggle everything. With Diane's help, they hire Sadie, a live in nanny. Relief sets in. Life returns to normal and everything falls into place. 
The end...
Nope! Not even close. The huge twist at the end of this story will no doubt knock you off your seat. Like all the characters in all of her books, trust no one. Suspect everyone. No one is innocent. 
Shalini Boland never disappoints! When I crack open her books I always prepare to be amazed! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yep, she’s done it again folks! The Perfect Family by Shalini Boland is yet another page turning psychological thriller that may lull you into sense of familiarity only to completely change the game.

Gemma Ballantine is a busy working mother of two little girls that keep her on her toes. She and her husband do pretty well sharing the responsibilities of home but it always feels as if there’s something more to be done. When on another rushed morning Gemma looks everywhere for her youngest but she’s no where to be found Gemma begins to become frantic with worry.

Before Gemma is even able to phone the police her mother in law shows up with Katie in tow having wandered out alone. This event leads to a few others that make Gemma question her perfect family and give into the suggestion of hiring a nanny. Things at first are great but Gemma begins to feel things just aren’t quite right at home…

One thing I’ve come to expect from a book from Shalini Boland is being pulled into her stories right away and The Perfect Family was no exception. With a bit of an early twist we are sucked into a missing child situation which is quickly resolved to make way for the real psychological games. The story afterward had a familiar feel to it, the nanny with secrets in the family home but boy was I ever wrong with where it headed with those final twists and turns surprising even me. Definitely one I’d recommend checking out.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Shalini Boland for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - a great 4.5 star read!

Gemma has the perfect family - handsome, personal trainer husband, Robert, and two adorable, sweet girls. She also has her own business that requires her to work long, late hours and she feels pressured on all sides between home and work. But suddenly things begin to happen that make her question her ability to do it all. When her mother-in-law, Diane, steps in with the perfect live-in nanny/tutor for the older daughter, Gemma caves in and allows Sadie to move in.

Enough said. This is a fast-paced book that will keep you reading until you turn the final pages. Great read!

Gemma and Robert have two daughters - Eva and Katie. Both are of school age. Gemma works (too many) incessantly. Robert is a personal trainer whose income is in flux a lot of the time. Diane, Robert's mother, is definitely "old school". She admonishes Gemma for working when she has two young daughters.

After some thought (and the looming school achievement tests that Gemma just finds out about) both Gemma and Robert decide to get a tutor for Eva. A lot of the tutors are already booked, but Diane comes up with a name from her prestigious golf club - Sadie Lewis. Sadie is hired by Robert and Gemma with the stipulation ( that Sadie wants) works also as a nanny, also.

Thinking this is an opportunity to free-up some time for Gemma, the deal is sealed. Sadie is wonderful. Too wonderful? The girls and Robert think she is wonderful. Gemma is not so sure...

Just when you think the book will come to a predictable ending, wow does it continue on!!! Great for ALL readers. Again, Ms. Boland does not disappoint !

Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a great read !!!