3.75 ⭐️

A fun, twisty story that felt like it could go in any direction. A wild ride and I appreciated the way this author handled the multiple timelines and POVs without making it too confusing.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit the first thing that drew me to this book was the stunning cover! Then the blurb sounded like this would be the kind of book I would enjoy so I was happy when my request to read it was accepted.
There were quite a few things I liked about this book.
First off I really liked the setting of Little Venice in London, a place I have heard about and am familiar with.
I liked the dual timelines and the different POVs we got in the story, this helped add some depth to the plot. I also did enjoy reading about Lucy and Taylors friendship, which I found to be engaging and interesting throughout.
However I did find the writing style to be quite cold, stilted and a little basic.
I also did think it was a little slow and too long for my taste.
The plot itself didn't have any twists or surprises for me which was disappointing.
I also wasn't a fan of the ending, which did feel a bit of a let down.
Overall this wasn't a bad book by any means but it wasn't anything special.

When I first started this book I was not immediately pulled in, but as I continued I got more hooked in. This was a very interesting story and at times I found the characters frustrating, but over I really enjoyed it. I really liked seeing the story build from the 3 different characters points of view! Overall, this was a fun read!

Creepy with what starts out as one unstable voice in Lucy, seemingly struggling with motherhood but as the story unfolds it is clear that she is the only one who does not have an agenda!
told between 2 time lines of Lucy and Evie as a child and then Evie trying to find her roots as an adult the story cleverly switches between the two, giving jsut enough information to keep you guessing to the end!

ARC REVIEW - 4/5 STARS
WHAT THE NANNY SAID by Lara Finch
OUT NOW!
Storm Publishing - 325 Pages

I’ll be real, this debut starts out a bit slow and could use some trimming. But if you hang in there, it’s worth it. Lucy is a new mom wrestling with postpartum depression and a husband who seems to have mastered the art of disappearing when she needs him. Then Lucy meets Taylor, whom she thinks is the perfect solution. Taylor is young, magnetic, and almost too good to be true. She sweeps in to help with baby Evie, and at first, it’s all sunshine. Spoiler alert: Taylor’s charm is matched by her manipulative streak. If you’ve ever wondered what could possibly go wrong when you hire an attractive nanny, buckle up.

The first half does take its sweet time, but when the plot finally kicks into gear, it’s a wild ride. It’s an emotional thriller with a cast of morally questionable characters, messy friendships, and enough twists to keep you flipping pages past bedtime. Lara Finch is definitely one to watch. In my opinion, this could’ve easily been a five-star read with a little more editorial TLC, but I’m still looking forward to whatever she dreams up next!

Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for providing this #giftedARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#WhatTheNannySaid #LaraFinch #NetGalley #StormPublishing
Post-Pardum Struggles ~ Toxic Friendships ~ ARC Review ~ Debut Thriller ~ Emotional Thriller ~ Power Imbalance ~ Friendship Betrayal ~ Gaslighting ~ Strangers With Secrets ~ Isolation

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of What The Nanny Said by Lara Finch.

When Evie's mother suddenly dies, Evie is confronted with a string of evidence that her mom is not who she claimed to be. Evie also never knew her dad, where is he, and where did he go?

Through multiple timelines and an interview with Evie's previous nanny, we see how one cunning woman was able to use her charm to upend the lives of so many.

There were elements of this story that just didn't sit right to me, but it was an interesting mystery all the same. Definitely some twists in there, and a villain who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even though I'm surprised at how many bought her total histrionics. A solid 3 star novel.

I felt like the author did a good job with the multiple viewpoints. That is not easy to pull off. Unfortunately for me that is where the positives end. The book was slow to the point that I set it aside for good a bit. I finally just made myself finish it. I appreciate fiction, but this was too far out there. The boyfriend was a completely unnecessary character.

This was an enjoyable read with a good twist. The character development was interesting, though I found the timeline a little confusing at first, especially with the birth mom/mom and names Mia and Melody. I found it gripping though, and would definitely read more by this author!

There’s no shortage of toxic manipulation in the wealthy community of Little Venice in London. From the first page, this book pulled me straight into a world of charm, deception and dangerous secrets. The nanny’s arrival feels like a blessing for a struggling young mother, yet the tension grows as it becomes clear she wants more than the role she was hired for.

I enjoyed how the story weaves between the past and present, revealing long-buried truths piece by piece. The pacing kept me turning the pages and the psychological twists were perfectly placed to keep me guessing. I was fascinated by the manipulative behaviours and how quickly power and desire can corrupt.

An atmospheric and unsettling read that lingers after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had all the right elements for a twisty domestic thriller—an overwhelmed young mother, a seemingly perfect nanny, and a trail of secrets, lies, and bodies—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
The story follows Lucy, a new mom struggling with postpartum depression and a partner who isn’t exactly supportive. When Taylor, a dream nanny, enters the picture, it seems like help has finally arrived. But things quickly spiral as trust is broken,lies are told, and the danger creeps closer to home. With people ending up murdered and others go missing.
While I was engaged enough to finish, I never truly connected with the characters or felt deeply invested in the outcome. The pacing felt slow at times, and when the final twist came, it didn’t have the impact I expected. It all felt a bit too predictable, with not enough build-up to justify the payoff.
That said, Lara Finch does a good job exploring the emotional weight of motherhood and the vulnerabilities that come with it. If you enjoy slower-paced thrillers focused more on atmosphere and emotional tension than shocking twists, this might still be worth checking out.

Thai was my first book by author and I liked the story. It has a good amount of twist and turns and keeps you guessing. It finished it in 2 days so I will most definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for providing me with an eARC.

I found this book very engaging. The story and characters kept me coming back for more. Although, I couldn't put it down after I got through the first few chapters, that is. The author had to set the story up in the first few chapters and I found that it didn't move as quickly as I would have liked, but after that it moved and flowed quite smoothly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book before the world did.

This book was a well-crafted psychological thriller with themes of manipulation, identity, and familial secrets. While the pacing was a bit slow at times, it was still enjoyable. I liked the dual timelines. If you enjoy unraveling dark mysteries with emotional layers, this one’s definitely worth your time.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Great book - but you have to push past the first chapter or two, because the set up is not like the rest of the book!

This is such an interesting story and definitely has you guessing what the truth is the whole time. It did take me a couple chapters to get into the book because the writing doesn't hook you right away with the set up...I know why it starts a bit heavy, but the writing doesn't seem to be as good as the rest of the book.

The backstory is well-told and really puts you into the past. The switch to present-day is a great device to move the story and does not leave you feeling like the story was interrupted (hate when that happens). There are multiple POVs that round out the story - and keep you on your toes.

I will keep my eye out for more by this author!

I had such a great time reading this book! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages. The writing flowed so well, and I found myself completely invested in the story and characters. It’s one of those reads you just don’t want to put down.
huge thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy!! I’m so glad I got to read it ahead of the release day and can't wait for the world to get to enjoy it too!!

3.5/5 Stars
I wouldn't say this book was bad, but at the same time the pacing throughout the entire story felt extremely off. I found myself juggling between the past and present and then between Taylor and Lucy and wondering why isn't anyone using one ounce of braincells. I will give it one thing, the tension and the toxicity was extremely present and it does make you think that no one can be trusted the entire time. Otherwise, I just wish it had better pacing because the characters weren't exactly the worst.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

While I enjoyed the story, there were parts that felt overdone in past thrillers and some of it just dragged on. I didn't connect with any of the characters, which in turn made me not really care where the story went but I was curious enough to finish the book. Most of the loose ends are tied up by the end of the book but there is still some questions left to answer.

Overall, I enjoyed it but it's one I wouldn't feel bad about not reading if I had it to do all over.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

Oooo this was a good one honest to god I was reeling from half the book! Such a gripping story with great characters and one I’ll remember for a very long time, fantastic book and one I can’t wait to tell my friends about ❤️

I really really enjoyed this book! It was fascinating and kept me on my toes the whole time! I’ve yet to read anything by this author if they have other works, but should they it definitely made me want to read more!

Well woven, suspenseful and not what I would have originally expected it reminded me of prime-era Lisa Jewell. A domestic thriller definitely worth adding to your list!

Thank you for the ARC!