An interesting, engaging plot and good characters. I did struggle a bit with inaccuracies of the profession of the main character, but that may come from working in the profession. It might have been better researched, but it also fit the situation when the book concluded. A fast read that kept me reading to find out what happened next.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine, and Nina Sadowsky for an ARC of this book!**

"Privacy is like sleep - something you don't appreciate until you have to go without it."-Helen McCloy

Nina Sadowsky explores the ins and outs of what it means to have it and to unwillingly or WILLINGLY be without it in her latest thriller, a quick and thought-provoking suspense novel meant to keep you guessing...about how much we have...and how much it takes just to stay alive!

Dr. Laina Landers runs the Better Help clinic, along with partner Harley, and she has fully embraced her calling. As a therapist, she naturally hears everything from the mundane to the salacious...and things at the clinic are on the up-and-up until one client loses his cool....and is found holding his wife at gunpoint. Laina is summoned to the scene to talk him down, but it is here she catches the eye of Cal, a journalist who is intrigued by Laina, in more ways than one. (wink wink)

Though she's able to diffuse this particular situation, once Laina's face is splashed all over TV, her journey into the public eye brings forth a series of odd events. Laina's patients begin receiving gifts...but hold the thank yous, because these gifts are of the blackmailing sort---and all indicate that the giver knows EXACTLY what's going on in Laina's sessions. Has Cal and Laina's romance not only clouded her judgment, but kept her just distracted enough to let an interloper in...to destroy her credibility, her work, and even her life?

I've been a Sadowsky fan ever since Just Fall, and this was another solid thriller. It's set up in a three narrator structure, where we bounce back and forth between leads Laina and Cal, but there is also a third mystery narrator, whose chapters are simply titled "WATCHING" and peek behind the curtain at this individual's voyeuristic tendencies. Nothing too complicated here in terms of plot and structure, and this one also starts with a bang, as the almost-crime happens near the beginning of the book. I didn't initially know about the romance angle, but luckily Sadowsky handles it well and it felt very realistic between these two characters.

This may also be the first book I've read since the era of COVID that MENTIONED COVID without making it the entire plot...apparently, that IS possible! There's certainly a plethora of issues to be discussed related to the pandemic, our human reaction to it, etc., but it was so nice to have characters that acknowledged the situation without it having to feel shoehorned into the plot somehow.

On a more disappointing note, much like Sadowsk'y's last book, I figured out the twist pretty early on...but in THIS case, I actually didn't mind at all! This was a fun ride and I was curious to see how things would play out in the end (and of course, there's always a tiny part of me that is wracked with self doubt in these situations too, so obviously second guessing myself comes with the territory.)

What also set this book apart from so many other mindless thrillers I've read lately (you know who you are) is that Sadowsky's last chapter is FANTASTIC and really gave me pause. She wrote this novel during the pandemic and the entire last bit of the book is essentially a springboard for you to think about what PRIVACY means in your own life, and what is truly left of it in our world today. This was unexpected, but gave the book a little extra oomph to set it apart from the pack and left me with something to chew on. Fiction or non, drama or thriller, there's always room for you to take a piece of what you read away with you...and not only did this section inform some of her inspiration for writing, but helped to take a story-line that wasn't entirely new and make it feel fresh, relevant, and NECESSARY. You know...just the way PRIVACY should be!

4 stars

After one of Dr. Landers patients called her, while holding his wife hostage at gunpoint-and she talked him down-Laina became a media darling-attracting the attention of a new reporter in town, Cal Murray-a guy with a nose for a good story.

And, an attraction for the good Doctor.

It would appear that Dr. Landers is an accomplished therapist with a strong track record-until all of the patients she has supposedly helped, start ending up on the news-AS THE NEWS!


EVEN IF IT HURTS

But what should prevail? Truth or Privacy?
How much pain can any of us carry before we break?

Dr. Laina Landers is a psychiatrist with a thriving practice alongside her partner, Dr. Weida, and a small group of close friends.
Cal Murray is an up and coming reporter looking for his next big story. When he stumbles across Dr. Landers talking down one of her patients and keeping him from committing murder, he knows she is the story he is looking for.

One by one, Dr Lander's patients begin receiving threatening notes and gifts from the Watcher and their lives start falling apart. Together, Cal and Laina try to determine who is behind the threats and put a stop to it, all while growing closer to each other.

I really enjoyed this book. The changing point of view between Laina, Cal, and the Watcher kept it interesting. I love books with a surprise twist at the end (although I did figure it out about halfway through). I give this book 4 stars.

Dr. Laina Landers is a successful therapist who becomes a media star after saving the life of one of her patients. But shortly thereafter, some of her other patients become victims of extreme harassment. Is someone targeting her patients? Privacy is an aptly named title for this spellbinding thriller as the very concept is exploited and abused, and character roles blur as the reader is enticingly left in the dark. Together with the crisp writing and dialogue, this cat and mouse game adds up to a real winner! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Privacy by Nina Sadowsky was an intriguing thriller. Who is trying to destroy the therapist's reputation and what is their motivation? This story kept me turning pages through the end!

This is a decent suspense thriller and an entertaining read. Dr. Laina Landers is a therapist with a successful practice when she is called to the scene of a patient threatening to kill his wife. She diffuses the situation and ends up on the news after being noticed by reporter Cal Murray. Her patients start getting strange packages which is affecting their treatment. Laina enlists Cal's help to figure out who wants to ruin her reputation and business. I enjoyed the initial 2/3 of the book and was invested in the outcome but then ending felt off to me. I just didn't find it believable which overshadowed the rest of the book. It is still worth reading because it is well written and a quick read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC.

4.5 stars!~

Very gripping, intense, and one of those thrillers that really caught me off guard to the utmost extent!

There's somebody out there in the neighborhood... always watching...

Therapist Dr.Landers cares deeply about her patients, and would go to such extremes to give them peace of mind and the best therapy care she can. But once her patients end up getting themselves into some INTENSE predicaments, Dr.Landers begins to wonder if maybe there's a line that shouldn't be crossed when it comes to mental health help. In comes Cal Murray, rookie detective on the case - to figure out who or what could be jeopardizing Dr.Landers' career and reputation.

The final curtain call of this thriller had me ROLLING. Insane. Did NOT see that one coming. I had hunches but I was so blown away by the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the digital ARC!

𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨!

I read this book in one sitting, it was twisty, disturbing, dark, suspenseful, past-paced and imposible to put down. It had everything I love in a good thriller. It was simply addictive. A phenomenal ride.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆 by Nina Sadowsky released June 14, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read the description for this book and was immediately intrigued. I really enjoy reading thrillers involving therapists, their patients, and dark secrets. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I loved the premise of being watched and at what lengths will various characters go to in order to keep their secrets hidden. And the ending....never saw it coming!

This was one gripping psychological thriller you don't want to miss out on reading! Highly recommend!

📖BOOK REVIEW📖
🌟🌟🌟🌟

An absolutely gorgeous cover is a camouflage for this intriguing thriller where there is no privacy.

Sometimes the people we love are not the people we think they are. Various characters will do anything to keep their secrets buried while others will do whatever it takes to uncover them.

Nina Sadowsky does a terrific job of revealing the true qualities of these awful characters.

Sincere thanks to Random House/Bantam/Ballantine for providing this complimentary ARC through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

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I’ll give this book 3 stars, I had trouble following the writing. I may go back and try it again soon!

Thank you Random House - Ballantine & NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I started this book during a serious book hangover. Mostly because it was a little over 200 pages and thought it would be a good quick, psychological thriller to read. I also saw it made the New York Post list for must reads this summer.

I really loved the synopsis of this book. I've always loved books where therapy is incorporated because I'm fascinated by mental health and those that are helping remove the stigma of therapy. The book definitely starts out with a bang, the whole "Watching You" concept drew me in... but that's kind of where my interest faded.

Because the book was short-- I think things were rushed. I thought the relationship between Dr. Lana Landers & Cal Murray was a bit forced and odd. I never felt like it was truly real from the beginning. I enjoyed Cal's character but I wasn't really the biggest fan of the MC. It also could get confusing at times with the different patients and their story lines. Again, probably with the book so short, the characters never really go to develop.

I had an idea of where the book was heading and pretty much guessed the twist at the end, but I thought it was a decent ending-- just needed more fleshing out.

“How much grief and pain can any of us carry before we break?”

Dr. Laina Landers shares a successful psychology practice with a colleague in San Diego, California. She’s beloved by her patients, has a few close friends, and is currently single by choice. Life is good and she really loves her work. So when bad things suddenly start happening to those clients she is trying to help, Laina must find out how their private and confidential information is being released. Laina meets investigative journalist, Cal Murray, when he interviews her after she talks down a husband in a domestic violence threat. She and he begin a relationship and he starts examining the situation with an eye to identifying the perpetrator.

I had a hard time putting this down once I started and it definitely went in an unexpected direction which I fully appreciated. I liked the writing style and the character development as well as the skillful twisting of the plot. The narrative was suspenseful and fast-paced and I found the puzzle quite interesting to piece together. There’s a lot to unpack within the story but the issue of privacy is at its heart. Who might be watching you? I can just see this as a film or television series!

Definitely a psychological thriller that I can recommend though the author does go off on a few tangents about some hot button issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Lana Landers is a marriage and family therapist who seems to have a target on her back. When the newspaper prints a story about how she heroically saved one of her patients, that is when the strange events begin to happen. Someone seems to have it in for her personally, and is victimizing her patients using private information from her files. Threatening “gifts” and messages are sent both to her patients, and eventually to her as well. As she investigates, with an attractive reporter, the frightening events come to a suspenseful head and the truth becomes clear.

I loved the alternating perspectives in this book and my theories were flying all over the place right up until the end!

I thought the premise of Privacy by Nina Sadowsky was very interesting - a therapist and someone mentally torturing her patients, but it took me a really long time to get through it. In the end, I enjoyed it but I wasn't gripped by it and was a bit disappointed in the twist at the end. I really liked Cal and would love to read a book on his future investigative journalism attempts.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Privacy by Nina Sadowsky is a romantic thriller featuring a Black male lead. The story revolves around Laina, a renowned therapist whose patients are being harrassed. Each of them is receiving mysterious gifts and messages with information that only Laina should know. Who hates Laina enough to ruin her career? It's up to Laina and Cal, an investigative journalist, to figure out who is destroying her life.

Here is a chilling excerpt from the Prologue, which is titled "Watching":

"She’s so relaxed, so easy in her own skin, with her long blond hair bound up in a ponytail and her T-shirt, damp with sweat from her morning run, knotted below her breasts to expose a taut abdomen. She radiates youth and health.
She’s also seemingly unaware of the dark temptation her very light ignites.
Would that change if she knew I was watching?
She’s oblivious to the telephoto lens I wield from an anonymous sedan parked down the street, which is precisely what makes my surveillance so exquisite. People reveal so much when they don’t know they’re being observed."

Overall, Privacy is an amazing blend of romance and thriller that will appeal to fans of A.R. Torre and Rebecca Zanetti. One highlight of this book is how the male lead is Black. I think diversity is so important, even in the thriller genre. I love to suport diverse characters. Another highlight of this book is the amazing reveal and ending. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that I feel like the thriller aspect was overshadowed by the romance aspect. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

In this book, Dr. Lana Landers is a marriage and family therapist, dedicated to her patients, but sometimes getting a bit too invested. When one of her patients holds his wife hostage, she intervenes and is able to deescalate the situation, making her a newsworthy figure. But someone is definitely targeting Lana’s patients as an attempt to destroy Lana’s career. But Lana has found an ally in news journalist Cal Murray and their growing friendship and attraction to one another is undeniable. Working together Dr. Landers seeks answers to who is targeting her as well as why. A slow burn, Rear Window-esque novel peppered with romance, Privacy is a great and interesting read about the lines that can blur when you care too much. Thank you to Randomhouse Publishing Group for the advanced review copy.

Incredible, just WOW
I don’t want to say too much & give anything away.
Definitely go into this one blind & try to figure it out on your own. Fantastic read!!