This book had some interesting elements, but overall it didn’t fully click for me. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters, and the overall tone felt a bit heavy, with no one seeming particularly content or grounded. The pacing was slow — the story didn’t really pick up until about 200 pages in — and at times it felt like there was just a little too much happening all at once.

The drug-related plotline wasn’t something I enjoyed, and it added to the chaotic feel of the story. That said, I did appreciate the use of multiple POVs, which helped keep the narrative moving and gave a fuller picture of the characters. The ending had a twist tied to mental illness that I didn’t see coming — it was different and added a layer I wasn’t expecting.

While this wasn’t a favorite, I can see how others might enjoy the dark, twisty atmosphere and layered psychology.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy from Netgalley!
This book kept my attention and I enjoyed the authors writing. I would read more by them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of The Memory Watcher.

I wish I had a groundbreaking review to share about this book, but it was just...fine. It certainly wasn't the worst book I've ever read and it was a quick read but it just felt like the same-old domestic thriller plot. I don't anticipate remembering the storyline a few weeks from now. I also thought the ending felt a bit lazy.

3 *yawn* stars

The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding (note: if you meant Autumn Carpenter, this is likely The Perfect Mother—please confirm) is a compelling psychological thriller with a chilling premise that hooks you early on. The story centers around Autumn, who becomes increasingly obsessed with the family that adopted her daughter, watching them from a distance as she slips further into a disturbing spiral of voyeurism and fixation.

The eerie tone and slow-burning suspense create an unsettling atmosphere, and the dynamic between perception and reality is well explored. The McMullen family’s carefully curated image begins to crack, and the secrets that surface are dark, twisted, and ultimately rewarding for the reader.

That said, the pacing does drag in the middle. Some chapters felt like filler, and I found myself waiting for the next major development rather than being pulled along by constant tension. A tighter structure would’ve made the suspense more impactful.

Overall, The Perfect Family is a solid pick for fans of domestic thrillers. While it may not keep you glued to every page, the final revelations make the journey worthwhile. Just be prepared for a slow simmer rather than a rapid boil.

Daphne and Autumn’s story was shocking, and left me with a lot of unanswered questions - but in a great thriller way, not a major plot hole kind of way.

I didn’t love that it was mentioned that people who partake in marijuana are “classless.” As someone with two chronic illnesses and anxiety, sometimes regular medication doesn’t work for certain people, including myself. Even though this is a fictional book, it can still alienate readers who have to partake in marijuana medicinally for their health and well-being. I feel that their are kinder ways to put this - such as Autumn being traumatized by her Mom’s drug use and it causing it to neglect her without demeaning other people without knowing their circumstances in the process.

Whilst I did see one small plot hole, I otherwise thoroughly enjoyed the book. Overall very well written and left me wanting to know more of the background of the story.

Minka Kent writes some of the best psychological thrillers! Whenever she publishes a new book I instantly know I have to get my hands on a copy because it’s going to be a read that I will really enjoy. And The Memory Watcher didn’t disappoint, it was just so good! The storyline is filled with twists and turns that you won’t see coming and some will really surprise you. The two main characters, Autumn and Daphne, come off as being really nice people but do they ever have issues. I thought Daphne was a very selfish, self-centered, attention seeking woman. Autumn, on the other hand, I believe really was a kind and caring person but was dealing with a lot of mental issues as a result of childhood trauma. But is Autumn really Autumn or is she someone else? It’s a story you’ll have to read to really understand and believe me, you won’t regret it if you do, I know I really enjoyed it! My only complaint about The Memory Watcher was the way the author ended the story. I’m not sure I completely understood why it ended the way it did because it kind of felt like a cliffhanger to me, but maybe that’s what the author intended. I’d like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I really enjoyed reading this book, it’s one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense thrillers and I’m giving it a 4 star rating.

I am a sucker for secrets. I love a good "things are not always as they seem" story and Minka Kent does not disappoint with The Memory Watcher. We've all seen social media used as a plot device, but this isn't the typical cyber crime or cyber stalker story. Through the adoptive mother's social media activity, Autumn Carpenter found a window into the life of a daughter given up for adoption and soon found herself swept away in a family and life that was not her own. It's easy to get drawn into a rabbit hole of internet links and social media lives. The idea of someone being drawn in based on a major life decision made at age 15 is entirely believable and incredibly compelling.

The story is told in first person from dual perspectives, the aforementioned Autumn and Daphne, the adoptive mother. Through both women, we see the other as they want others to see them. Through their own narrative, we see their true struggles and the secrets that begin to consume them. In a page-turning series of events, we begin to slowly see a bigger picture and wonder whose perspective bears a closer resemblance to reality.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the arc of this book.

Wow! What a twisty book. This book was hard to put down. Really touches on how different family dynamics can be; and how easily one is fooled. Autumn has been watching a family, who lives a very different lifestyle than she does. They have something she wants, she wants it desperately and will go to extremes to get it. A classic we only see what is shown to us, and not what’s behind closed doors.
I appreciated how the author told the stories from characters views.
I encourage everyone to pick this one up who is into thrillers. I did not see the last few chapters coming, such a surprise.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher house and author for allowing me the opportunity to read such a phenomenal book.

Another great book by this author! I highly recommend her. All her books are quick and easy reads. Keeping you engrossed and never wanting to put the book down because you want to find out what happens next. This one had many twists that I did not predict so that made it fun!

Minka Kent's The Memory Watcher isn't just a thriller; it's a meticulously crafted spiderweb of obsession, a chilling exploration of what happens when the lines between longing and lunacy blur, leaving readers utterly ensnared. From its deceptive opening, this novel pulls you into a world that feels unnervingly familiar, only to reveal the gaping, sinister chasms beneath its polished surface.
At its core, The Memory Watcher introduces us to Autumn Carpenter, a woman haunted by a decision made years ago: the adoption of her infant daughter. In the digital age, the past is never truly past, and Autumn finds herself drawn into the seemingly perfect online life of the family who raised her child. Birthdays, holidays, mundane everyday moments – all are laid bare on social media, feeding Autumn's yearning, transforming it into something darker, more insatiable.

But here's where the truly unsettling dance begins. What starts as an innocent, albeit deeply personal, act of "memory watching" spirals into an obsessive fixation. Kent masterfully weaves a narrative that shifts perspectives, forcing us to inhabit both Autumn's desperate longing and the unsettling awareness of Daphne, the adoptive mother whose carefully curated online persona is under constant, invisible scrutiny. The everyday details of family life become loaded with a creeping dread, each perfect photo a potential clue, each casual post a thread tightening around the unsuspecting family.

The suspense in The Memory Watcher isn't built on explosions or overt threats, but on the insidious creep of psychological violation. It's the chill that runs down your spine when you realize just how easily our lives are exposed, how a carefully constructed facade can crumble under the weight of an unseen gaze. Kent's prose is sharp, economical, and unnervingly precise, painting vivid pictures of domestic bliss while hinting at the rot festering beneath.
Then, the unthinkable happens. The digital window slams shut. The McMullen family's online presence vanishes, plunging Autumn into a frantic, desperate void. This sudden silence amplifies her obsession, pushing her past the digital barrier and into the physical world. Her cunning, almost horrifyingly believable, plan to insert herself into their lives is where The Memory Watcher truly ignites. The air crackles with unspoken tension as Autumn, now a clandestine presence, navigates the McMullen household, every interaction laced with the potential for catastrophic discovery.

But this isn't merely a tale of a stalker and their prey. Minka Kent is far too clever for such a simplistic narrative. As Autumn embeds herself, the glittering facade of the McMullen's life begins to chip away, revealing secrets and cracks that are far more sinister than anything Autumn could have imagined. The "perfect" family isn't so perfect after all. And the beautiful people? As the old adage goes, they often hide the ugliest secrets.

What makes The Memory Watcher so utterly fascinating is its exploration of identity, desire, and the dark underbelly of connectivity. It asks haunting questions: How much of ourselves do we truly reveal online? How much control do we truly have over our own narratives? And what happens when the past, once buried, claws its way back with an insatiable hunger?

The ending? Let's just say Minka Kent pulls the rug out from under you with such deft precision, you'll be replaying every scene, every seemingly innocuous detail, searching for the breadcrumbs you missed. It's a conclusion that will leave you breathless, questioning everything you thought you knew, and perhaps, a little more wary of the digital footprints we leave behind.

For anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller that burrows deep into the human psyche, leaving you pondering its unsettling truths long after the final page, The Memory Watcher is an essential read. It's a chilling reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous secrets aren't hidden in the shadows, but in plain sight, just waiting for the right person to start watching.

Minka Kelly is a wonderful writer and this is a very good book. She explores the world of social media and the perfect facades presented to the world. Of course, those lives aren't really perfect and this leads to twists and turns as the birth mother of an adopted child becomes the nanny to that daughter. The book has multiple POVs, interesting characters and a very engaging storyline.

What you see is not what meets the eye! Autumn has an obsession with the McMullen family and cannot get enough of watching this perfectly cute little family on social media. She watches them for good reason as they adopted her daughter as an infant. Day after day Autumn watches Grace grow up through instaface until one day the McMullen account is gone. Feeling an aching absence not being able to watch Grace any longer on social media Autumn devices a plan to worm her way into the perfect McMullen family by becoming their nanny. What Autumn once thought was a perfect family has now been revealed to me a hot mess!

This book has lies, deception, wild secrets and thr most delicious twits!

Are you ready for an entertaining read? Check out The Memory Watcher. It was a great read. Minka Kent fans will love her latest book. It's available now.

I am convinced Minka Kent can do no wrong. She is the queen of the unhinged thriller.
The Memory watcher is a two POV story following Autumn, a young woman seemingly obsessed with Daphne, the second POV in the story.
Autumn has orchestrated her life around Daphne’s because of her oldest daughter Grace, but this story is even more webbed with connections than what meets the eye.
So good! Would recommend any of her books!

Minka Kent is everything. I am obsessed with her writing. I eat up all her books. Absolute 5 star read every time.

A chilling psychological thriller that delves into the dangers of obsession and the deceptive nature of social media. Autumn Carpenter, having given up her infant daughter for adoption, becomes fixated on the adoptive family’s seemingly perfect life showcased online. Her harmless curiosity spirals into an unhealthy obsession, leading her to infiltrate their lives under false pretenses. As she becomes the family’s nanny, Autumn uncovers unsettling truths that challenge her perceptions and sanity.

Kent masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on edge, questioning the boundaries between reality and illusion. The dual perspectives of Autumn and Daphne (the adoptive mother) provide a multifaceted view of events, deepening the psychological complexity. While the pacing starts off slowly, focusing heavily on character introspection, it escalates into suspenseful territory with unexpected developments that keep readers engaged.

The saying that looks are deceiving is proven in this book among its band of characters. Nearly every other chapter my mouth formed a perfect O and a gasp escaped at the A-bombs dropped, the earth-shattering secrets revealed. Never meet your heroes and there are two sides to every story play crucial roles in this book as characters' worlds collide. And their worlds are topsy-turvy to say the least. A great read; a page-turner.

interesting story. i didn't see that twist coming in, made me sit up...haha.
if you like psychological stories with a twist and very regular life stories... check this book out.

WOW. This is my first book by Minka Kent, and I was hooked. I DID NOT expect the twists at the end, mindblowing.
Autumn centers her life around being in contact with her daughter that she gave up for adoption. She selected her boyfriend based on his proximity to the house, and stalks the mother on Instagram. When the family advertises for a nanny, Autumn is over the moon and quickly applies for the job. Initially they have a teenage daughter of a friend helping out, but Autumn finds a way to get her fired, and get hired herself. It works!
She becomes close to the family's 3 children, including her daughter that was given up for adoption. Things spiral out of control with the family, as the husband is caught having an affair. Everything changes when the mistress is found dead, and the family realizes that it's Autumn's boyfriend's sister. That's where things go off the rails. Autumn and the husband both go to the police, and things about Autumn's past are revealed, as well as the real killer.

Minia Kent needs to be talked about more. So many twist in this story . II love a book that keeps you guessing and when you think you have it all figured out you learn nothing is what it seemed.this is probably my second or third book by her and i just love a book that is so thrilling and keeps you up because you have to know what the heck is going on