I have a mweh relationship with the books Samatha Downing brings forward. Overall, I think there is potential in the stories she write, but I just have a hard time with the way she executes her stories. I find them all way too long, it feels dragged out and could easily be a 100 pages less. Throughout the story I feel my feet dragging and I just want it to be over with, there is not much surprise between maybe halfway and 3/4 of the book and it almost made me a little annoyed. I also didn't really like the way the characters will build up, and I had the same with her 'My Lovely Wife'. The characters fall really flat to me, and almost feel completely fake (yes, I know it's a fiction novel). I didn't find any relatable and I couldn't make myself to care for any of them - in a good or bad way, another mweh there as well. If the book was shorter and the characters were build more strongly, I would definitely give it more stars, but for now 3 will have to do.

"For Your Own Good" is probably the best of Samantha Downing's novels to date. It was twisty, turny, and so full of so many unlikeable characters you just can't tell who is behind what. And that ending--what a superb last few lines!

I enjoyed all the twists and turns in this novel. As a teacher, I couldn’t help but identify with Teddy and have some little revenge fantasies. I enjoyed this and think it’s a compelling read.

Private schools seem to be excellent fodder for writers and Downing did a very good job with her descriptions and characters.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I want to start off by saying I love Samantha Downing and will read anything she writes. I definitely liked this one better than “He Started It” but it was definitely no “My Lovely Wife” (aka top tier thriller book). I did have my hopes up pretty high as I always do when going into Downing’s books.

This is centered around Teddy who teaches high school students and is a petty psychopath who genuinely cares for his students thinking that everything he does is for their own good (haha), including stalking them. Teddy is an unforgettable character, he’s one of the weirdest I’ve read in awhile. For example, he drinks milk to celebrate and is also lactose intolerant. If that is not pure psychopath behavior I don’t know what is.

I liked Zach a lot too, which was one of Teddy’s students. He's a pure dude and I really rooted for him the whole time. As interesting as the characters were, I feel like I wanted more drama. There is a lot of petty drama surrounding the students and teachers (aside from Teddy and Zach) but I just wanted MORE. I was entertained for sure but this wasn’t much of a thriller because we kind of saw everything happening. It’s kinda like a who dun it but we know who dun what. Despite my rating, I would still recommend this book because it was fun. The chapters are short and I love Downing’s writing, it’s just so easy to breeze through.


I would like to personally thank Netgalley, Tara, and Dache’ from Berkley Publishing for allowing me an advanced copy of one of my most anticipated 2021 reads!

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK

THE END HAHA.

Ok.. but really... Samantha Downing has once again blown my expectations out of the park with her masterful skills as a writer. She has given me faith again in the thriller genre.

Let me introduce you to Teddy. Teddy is teacher of the year.... and oh my goodness does Mr Teddy go above and beyond for this students. His plaque is the only thing on his wall in his room and boy does he sure live up to that plaque. Teddy has a unique and different way of teaching his students all of his lessons. It's purely and simple "For their own good." Until, you throw a murder and crime in that mix.

Let me just say... THIS is not to be missed. One of my top thrillers for 2021 easily and I'm already biting at the straws to get another book by Downing.

I highly recommend adding this to your list for 2021 and you will not be disappointed.

5/5 stars!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 7/20/21
Published to GR: 2/16/21

I enjoyed this book even though so many people died. The teacher who won the Teacher of the Year Award obviously has many issues in this book but did he murder all the people? Or was it the math teacher? Deliberate or accident. So many questions, so many twists, but amusing reading. Keeps you turning the pages and nice sized chapters.

Belmont Academy Prep School, one of the most prestigious institutions in the east and where only top performing students attend, but for staffer Teddy Crutcher, he despises many of the elitist parents and most of the entitled pupils, so he plans to do something about it. This latest treat from Samantha Downing is a nonstop rollercoaster thrill-ride and no doubt you will have reading deep into the night. For fans of Master Class by Christina Dalcher and The Swallows by Lisa Lutz.

Another excellent thriller from the author of He Started It.

Teddy is Teacher of the Year at a private school where the students and parents are privileged. When one of the parents mysteriously dies, Teddy is not really concerned, until it looks like someone is getting a little to close to his personal life. Filled with twists and turns, it is another case of who did what? Teachers, students and parents all have their secrets, desires and regrets. The ending will surprise you.

Great suspense. Samantha Downing makes me keep turning the pages and needing to know what happened even though I don't really like any of the characters in the book.

This is possibly Downing's best yet. She is a must-buy author and a recommended first purchase for all general fiction collections.

<i>For Your Own Good</i> is a master whodunnit, even though you think you know exactly who does what straight out of the gate. Set at a prestigious prep school, Belmont Academy, and filled with students and teachers that all have targets on their backs, thanks to one disturbed man.

But is it just him? Teddy Crutcher is an English teacher and seems to have it out for everyone, but clearly isn’t the brightest when it comes to his colleagues or his students. Downing’s character development is spot on and this novel flows so well its mesmerizing. I was left wanting more, more, more, but the ending is perfect.

<i>For Your Own Good</i> gives the reader glimpse not only into the hierarchy of prep school among students, but also among the affluent parents, teachers and alumni. And it’s one hell of a ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing. It is hard enough to meet the standards of elitist parents but even harder to meet those of an opinionated, self righteous teacher. Not meeting the standards leads to a murderous, revenge filled, cunning, twisty and devious thriller of a story. Teddy reminds me of our seventh grade science teacher who stopped short of murder but was free and loose with failing grades and ridicule. Zach was caught in the middle and it was no surprise that he comes close to snapping. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This wasn't my favorite Samantha Downing book, but it was entertaining and I couldn't wait to see how it all ended. The characters were interesting

This is Samantha Downing's best yet! I'm a big fan of both of her previous books but this is my favorite yet.. I'm a huge fan of the "dark academia" genre and this one did not disappoint. I love how you can *almost* sympathize with Teddy at certain points, and you have to wonder if his teaching didn't influence Fallon in an unexpected way, as well as Zach! On Goodreads, Samantha Downing said these are some of her favorite characters that she's written and I have to agree, that these are some of my favorite characters that I've read! I loved all the twists and turns and the lengths that Teddy went to "teach" and to "protect" his students!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Downing continues to prove her skills at writing solid thrillers with her third novel For Your Own Good. Teddy Crutcher is very proud of winning Teacher of the Year at the high end private Belmont Academy. He has very high standards for his colleagues and students and has a deadly way of getting his way.

I will read anything Samantha Downing writes, and I have not been disappointed. I thought this would be another typical rich-kid prep school mystery, but no! Teddy is Teacher of the Year. But he can't be bothered by the elite parents at the school he teaches, or the other teachers... in fact, he finds a way to eliminate one of his annoying co-workers. And no one suspects him in his status. So should he continue on with eliminate the others...?

I may have said this after reviewing her last book, but Samantha Downing is my new favorite author! This book was amazing. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I liked all of the inter-connected story lines, and although there were many characters, Downing does a great job keeping them straight. Liked how the story ended as well....kind of a what comes around, goes around" kind of ending! I cannot wait to recommend this novel. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This book was unlike any other Samantha Downing I’ve ever read!
It was full of complex characters with an academia setting. I enjoyed of the variety of the characters and how each of them had me thinking they were guilty. I wasn’t sure who I liked, who I didn’t, who was guilty and who to feel sorry for. Downing’s writing really allowed the reader to see inside of each characters mindset which is something I don’t think is often done, that aspect I really appreciated and liked.
For me the beginning was a slow build until we got to the meat and then quickly things began to build and did they ever! Even though the reader knew what was going on there was still anticipation as to what was going to happen next.
My mind was spinning as I wasn’t sure where the story was going.
I think this book will definitely appeal to mystery and thriller lovers and even YA readers.

Samantha Downing never disappoints! A must for your tbr, publishes July 20th

Thanks to Berkley publishing and NetGalley for my advanced ebook copy.

This is a very well-crafted story, with twists and developments that constantly surprise the reader. At times I found myself saying “oh no!” on behalf of some of the characters. All in all, this was a very entertaining book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very well developed characters and an extremely engaging story. Well thought out and very suspenseful story line that keeps the reader guessing until the final twist! This is the book to read this year! Highly recommended!