Unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing from start to finish. I truly enjoyed this book by Samantha Bailey, she was able to tell the story through the eyes of two main characters, Sarah and Holly, seamlessly, I also enjoyed how she was able to differentiate between present day and the past. This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all end and I was NOT disappointed. A very solid effort that had a satisfying payoff. A very special thank you to Samantha M Bailey, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Synopsis per Amazon:
Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.

Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to wonder: Has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?

Watch Out for Her is a nail-biting psychological thriller that keeps you in suspense from the first page. Sarah, Daniel, Holly, and Jacob are unforgettable characters who you want to just cling to and direct as they go about their clandestine deeds. The plot is so well-woven that the secret remains until the end. I loved the mysterious tale.

I have just finished reading Watch Out for Her by Author Samantha M. Bailey.

This is a thriller that takes place in two Canadian cities – Vancouver and Toronto.

One of the main characters Sarah Goldman has a six-year-old son Jacob. The father Daniel Goldman would like his wife, a stay-at-home mom to have more time for herself and her passion of photography. They hire a young med student - Holly, who comes from a well to do family whose father has a business connection with Daniel.

There are lots of nanny cams, drama and watching.

I see that the book is getting mostly 4 and 5 stars so far, but for me it missed the mark, and fell short. I found myself just wanting to get it finished about halfway through and move on to something else that I would enjoy more.

2.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Simon & Schuster Canada for your advanced copy to read and review.

BOOK REVIEW
Watch Out for Her by: Samantha M. Bailey
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Publication Date: April 19, 2022
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Synopsis: Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.

Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to wonder: Has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?
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Review: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I really enjoyed this one. It was a quick read, but full of all the family drama. Told in alternating POVs that flip back and forth between past and present, it was very fast paced and kept you saying “just one more chapter.” This book had you trusting, then distrusting characters left & right. Which I really enjoyed, keeps you guessing and keeps you wanting more. I have not read this author’s other book “Girl on the Edge,” but I will after reading this one by her!

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Recommend: Yes! It was an excellent, quick, and an un-put downable read

I have some mixed feelings about this, as I feel rather guilty giving a book with this much profanity five stars. And the characters were all so unlikeable. But I read it in two days, and my mind kept prodding me to pick it up and read some more. Oh, and WOW, the twists!

Holly is the insecure daughter of a wealthy businessman and is expected to follow in his footsteps, get a medical degree and take over the company. This is what her father wants; it is NOT what Holly wants. She doesn't get along with her stepmother and mostly gets negative attention from her dad.

So when she gets a nanny job with Sarah for the adorable 6-yr-old, Jacob, she soon bonds with the family and feels like she belongs with them. Just as one starts to relate to Holly and care for her, it's learned that she also has an "evil side".

Same with Sarah. She comes across as such a nice person, also.... until she isn't. Their relationship is the backbone of the story and will hold your interest. I can't say that I loved the ending but I, certainly, didn't expect it!

What a thrill ride this was. It’s a cautionary tale of how secrets and lies do not pay. There are some shocking turn of events in the story.

The story is told from the point of view of Holly, who just wants to be loved and who is hired to babysit for Sarah and Daniel’s son. It is also told from the pint of view of Sarah, a photographer who has a hard time trusting people.

Both characters have difficult childhoods in common and they bond, but Sarah soon becomes suspicious of Holly’s intentions and everything starts to go awry.

It’s suspenseful and explores themes of anxiety and self worth. The characters are well developed although not necessarily likeable. But no matter, it was an engaging thriller and I would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh boy. I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. I hate giving books less than three stars, but I can't justify giving this book more than two. I'm not going to lie, I had to skim parts of it to get through the book (mostly Holly's chapters), and I rarely have to do that because I'm a quick reader. I considered DNFing it but decided to push through.

Sarah's chapters are written decently (though not great), but Holly's chapters came across as amateurish and felt super out of place. This book is also super drama-heavy, and it is completely unnecessary most of the time. A lot of Sarah's reactions to the drama are way too much. I cringed a few times because some of the reactions were so far-fetched. The book was also extremely predictable most of the time (not always a bad thing, but in this case, it was).

I'm still considering reading Baily's debut novel "Woman on the Edge" because it has such fantastic reviews, but if the writing style is the same, maybe this author just isn't for me? Who knows, maybe, once again, I'm the odd one out, and you will like it!


Note: Thank you to Netgalley & publishers for allowing me access to this arc in exchange for an honest review! Please note that all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Loved, loved, loved, this book and could not put it down. Every sentence was perfect. The author told an engaging story. Typically never request early release of books because I have so many purchased ebooks in my queue and never have time to read but the buzz on this book caught my interest. Happy to devour over the weekend. ‘Watch out for her’ by Samantha M. Bailey is a must read! It lives up to the hype!!!

Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Watch Out for Her, from cover to cover. The main character was relatable and intriguing. Also, the author’s writing style was very captivating for me.

I would recommend this book to any and all thriller readers.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

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After the events of a summer open a chasm amidst the family, Sarah, Daniel, and their son Jacob have suddenly moved across the country for a fresh start. However, as the family tries to settle into a new life, Sarah learns that not everything stays in the past.

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I find that I'm not very interested in stories that focus heavily on family drama, which I think is why this book was only okay for me. There were some points in the story that were painfully dull to read, which wasn't what I was expecting from a book marketed as a thriller.

The story is told in a nonlinear fashion, jumping between the past and present. I wasn't very interested in the "present" portion of the story, and after a while, the "past" portion lost my interest as well. I felt like a lot of the characters were quite cliche in their presentation and motivation, which might be why I got so bored with this read.

On the other hand, there were some aspects of the characters that I found relatable and compelling enough to keep my interest until the end. Unfortunately, the ending was pretty predictable and lacked the excitement I was hoping for.

I guess I just found this to be a very average read. The writing itself was effectual, just the story wasn't very interesting to me. I'd recommend to those who (unlike me) do enjoy a family drama with a slow, peeling-back-the-layers approach.

3.5 Stars

That song by The Police kept going through my head the entire time I was reading this domestic thriller. Told via two points of view and two timelines Watch Out for Her is my favourite type of book. I always enjoy a good Now and Before timeline story. There is a lot of internal dialogue within this book and I love that as well. There isn't a better way to get inside the characters head.

This is my first read by this author and if her sophomore book is any indication I will be reading her debut Woman on the Edge. I can't finish this review without mentioning that it takes place in my hometown of Toronto, Canada which is also where the author is from.

I'm a big fan of Bailey's writing. Woman on the Edge was a masterclass of suspense, and when I saw the cover reveal for Watch Out for Her, I knew I had to read it immediately.

Sarah wants nothing more than for things to go back to the way the were before Holly came into her life--her family's life--and in order to do that, there needs to be a change. Moving to a new house is a start, but she can't shake the feeling that she's being watched. As her suspicions grow, she begins to question everyone around her, determined to find the truth.

I love love LOVED this one.

First, be prepared to lose all sense of time when you open this book. From the first page, I couldn't put it down. Unreliable, unlikeable, or downright authentic--call it what you will--Sarah's narrative voice is spectacular. You want to like her, but you're not sure you can trust her. Why? Is she truly that despicable, or do her insecurities hit a little too close to home. Bailey's commentary on motherhood and identity is so spot on it hurts, and I couldn't wait to see how Sarah's behavior would unfold. I also loved Holly's POV for similar reasons. Identity, sexuality, acceptance--all of these things blend together into an engrossing character who will keep you turning pages.

Crisp, smart, and utterly un-put-downable, Watch Out for Her is a must-read.

Huge thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

If you like thrillers that make you feel uneasy, that make you feel like a plot twist is coming this is a book for you. A domestic thriller that keeps your attention and makes you think, Watch Out for Her keeps your mind guessing till the end. You trust and distrust the characters all at the same time, wanting to believe in their goodness but knowing something is askew. An excellent read.
#WatchOutforHer#NetGalley

I liked the writing style. Figured out the twist fairly early on. Solid 4 out of 5 stars. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Watch Out For Her by Samantha M. Bailey

Watch Out For Her follows the Goldman family Sarah, Daniel, and their son Jacob. They soon hire a nanny, Holly who was disowned by her own wealthy and well known family. She begins staying at the Goldman’s full time, in hopes this could be her new family.

The story changes between two POVs, Holly in the “before” and Sarah in the “after”. I was very intrigued within the first few chapters but then it fell short for me. I was not invested in the characters and there was no big plot twist. This was my first book by this author and I really wanted to love it!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so much fun and such a fast read. I couldn't put it down and stayed up way too late to read it! It kept me questioning the entire time and suspecting everyone. I loved the unreliable narrator and the dual timelines - two tropes that can sometimes feel overdone but we're extremely well executed in this book. I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!

Having loved 'Girl on the Edge', I was curious about 'Watch Our for Her' by Samantha Bailey. Although I really enjoyed the overall storyline, I found myself getting bored with the details from page to page. It was still an enjoyable read to see what the ending would bring, but the story and the execution aren't unique or very thrilling. It could also be that I found it less enjoyable because I didn't care for any of the characters. I'm hoping that the next Bailey will excite me more.

Sarah Goldman and her husband Daniel are thrilled when their six-year-old son Jacob takes so well to his new babysitter, Holly. While Holly, a twenty-two-year-old med student, is thrilled to have a job that is separate from her family's pharmaceutical company. But as the summer wears on and they grow closer and begin to learn each other's secrets, things start to unravel.

The book begins at the end of the summer when Sarah and her family have moved abruptly from Vancouver, BC to Toronto ostensibly for Daniel's new job, but mainly to get away from Holly. Sarah thinks she's getting a new start until she finds hidden cameras in her new house and an overly-friendly next door neighbor with, conveniently, a son just the same age as Jacob.

Told in alternating POVs that flip back and forth between past and present, this is a gripping and tense read that will keep you up too late saying, "Just one more chapter." The characters' motivations are not always what they seem and are revealed slowly. I did guess the big twist at the end before it happened, but was hooked throughout the entire book. If you're a fan of suspense and psychological thrillers, don't miss this one!! Definitely recommended!


Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this intense, riveting psychological thriller. I felt menacing vibes throughout that kept me wondering what was going on and kept me on the edge of my seat. I found that the characters ranged from the unsympathetic to the annoying but still were fascinating and memorable. Many were yearning for recognition, attention, and love. All had hidden secrets, and who could be trusted? There were issues of surveillance, stalking, suspicion, blackmail, obsession, and excessive intrusion into the lives of others.

Sarah and Daniel Goldman are a couple in their 40s with a 6-year-old active son, Jacob. They both love their son intensely, but perhaps Sarah worries about him too much and is overly protective and hovering. This is only one of her very pessimistic concerns. She believes she is failing as a mother and has no time to pursue her talent in photography. She feels exhausted from her daily life as a housewife, and Daniel agrees to hire a nanny, Holly.

Holly is from a wealthy family and feels pressure to get a medical degree for future work in her father's profitable drug research company. She feels no love from her cold stepmother and feels desperately in need of a mother's love. Holly is expected to charm wealthy middle-aged men who are prospective investors into funding new medical research. How far her family expects her to go to influence them is uncertain. Holly wants no part in the company and no desire to return to university for a medical degree. She takes out her resentment by stealing and, when caught, is disowned by her family, except for an older, less attractive stepsister. Her stepsister is overly protective, loves her sister and demands more attention from Holly.

Hiring Holly as a nanny seems the perfect solution. Their son, Jacob, adores her. Sarah lacks trust in people's intentions and previously spied on Holly. Holly feels that Sarah is the mother she never had and hopes to be considered part of this family forever. She is curious about family secrets and snoops through Sarah's and Daniel's private papers and belongings. She will use extreme means to remain a part of the Goldman family. One day, Sarah sees something unsettling on her nanny camera. The family leaves Vancouver for a rental in a Toronto suburb to get away from Holly. Jacob is devastated to lose Holly, and Holly is upset and angry to be left behind.

With her lack of trust bordering on paranoia, Sarah always thinks the worst of people. Her newest neighbour has a son Jacob's age, and the boys become best buddies. Sarah would prefer to avoid this woman whom she considers overly friendly. She finds her suspicious and too pushy and intrusive. The neighbour probes Sarah with questions about the Goldman's lives but becomes upset and angry when Sarah asks about her household in return. Sarah becomes suspicious about the women's motivations and secrets but cannot ignore her entirely because of the boys. Another neighbour is an older man who sits quietly in front of his house. Sarah thinks he is watching her and finds him creepy. Are both people watching Sarah's family, and why? She is horrified to find hidden cameras in their new home. She receives cryptic menacing phone messages. Who is sending them? Is it someone in her new suburb or the horror? Maybe Holly has followed them to Toronto for revenge.
Her fear is growing, and everyone is suspicious. Her husband is too often at work and seems to be keeping secrets from her. Is her family in danger?

This story of family dynamics and dysfunction kept me riveted and in suspense throughout. I never guessed the twist at the end. A very stunning, puzzling plot. It is recommended to those who like psychological thrillers if they don't mind some melodrama and a somewhat unbelievable resolution with flawed characters.

Thank you SImon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IFYKY, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.

Writing: 1/5 | Plot: 1/5 | Ending: Thank god it's over

THE PLOT

Sarah saw her babysitter, Holly, doing something foul and decided to move her fam from Vancity to the 6ix to start fresh. AHT AHT, Sarah, not so fast. No fresh start for you—there's cameras in your new abode! Who's watching? And WHY???

MY OPINION

....................... BYE. I was really excited to be approved for this ARC after reading her first book, Woman on the Edge. Although the writing quality flip flopped like a dead fish in her debut novel, I was hoping she would find her stride with book #2. SIKE!!!! Somehow the writing quality plummeted even further, making it a cringeworthy read.

I won't lie. I skimmed most of it. I really gave it my all for about 50% but then I just needed to get through it because it's a NG read. Otherwise, immediate yeet off my Kindle. Not only was the writing absurdly amateur (ex: "That's when Holly realizes where her stepsister is. She's at work.") but the plot was L O L. So you moved your whole fam across the country because of THAT???? Simple communication wasn't a solution?????? Sounds like your old fashioned sense of morality led you astray.

All in all, this read was a dud. I enjoyed the mystery of her first novel, even if the ending was equally as L O L excuse moi??? But this was just a story of self sabotage and extreme helicopter parenting. Congrats, you played yourself.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: I was approved for this ARC
Cons: Everything else