I found myself liking and not liking the characters at the same time. Ok read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review

This book was just an okay read. Although there were a few twists in it the story overall was quite predictable and did not keep me interested.

Devotion is a book with an interesting premise. It's about a woman hired as a nanny who becomes obsessed with the life of her employer. The first half of the book is engaging, but the last half of the book fell a bit flat for me, unfortunately.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book is missing a plot. I kept waiting for one, but it never materialized, so it didn't really feel like there was a point to the story. I thought it was just OK.

This book was entertaining enough, but I’m not really sure of the point. With no major moments and with storylines that didn’t really go anywhere, the book just fell flat.

New author Madeline Stevens' debut novel Devotion reads like an artsy, experimental project, and serves as a glimpse into a dysfunctional, dream-like relationship between a nanny and her enigmatic employer. Barely making it day-to-day, 26 year-old Ella doesn't know where her next meal is coming from or how she will make her rent. That is until she is offered a job as a nanny for a wealthy couple who live a life Ella can only dream of. Ella can't help but compare herself to the wife, Lonnie, and examine how different their lives are despite the fact that they are the same age. Why do women like Lonnie get to have it all, while those like Ella know nothing but trouble and strife? What makes Lonnie so special, and how would Ella's life change if she could be more like Lonnie, and maybe even actually become her? Thus begins a dark, atmospheric novel examining the deep roots of envy and obsession, and how it manifests itself in a young, questionable woman in New York City.

Devotion is lush and sensuous, filled with beautiful writing that you can see, touch, and taste. Her use of descriptive words and phrases is where author Stevens shines and has an obvious talent, and it is what readers will most remember this often erratic and puzzling novel for. That said, this book is not for everyone. The story meanders and wavers, drawing readers into the relationship between Ella and Lonnie, but never really going anywhere. For those hoping to read a pulse-pounding thriller of dark obsession, this book is not it. Instead, it serves as a rather highbrow exploration of female friendship and interaction. Personally, Devotion gave me many of the same feelings that classic novels often do - teasing me with tantalizing writing, but never really going anywhere significant with the plot. What is to be savored here is the reading experience and relationships between the characters, and not necessarily the story itself.

Recommended to lovers of literary fiction and pretentious psychological novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ecco for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a lot of promise that wasn't delivered. The characters were unlikeable and the plot muddy. I struggled to finish it.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

I struggled and struggled with this one until I couldn't take anymore. For me this book is unreadable.

Nonetheless, thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the early copy!

I tried to read this thriller and did not connect with it. I decided to put this one down.

Creepy chilling dark.A book of obsession of a young nanny who becomes mesmerized by the woman who hires her a wealthy woman with a fancy upper class life style she envies wants.A book I couldn’t stop reading at moments feeling shocked by a book that kept me turning the pages.#netgalley#harpercolins.

This book appealed to me because of the cover, but man was it hard to get through. The novel overall lacked depth which made it not enjoyable or memorable. Overall 2/5.

This is a very strange, creepy, unsettling novel of jealously, obsession and lust. Ella is hired to to work for Lonny as a nanny and she becomes obsessed with Lonny and her family and lifestyle. I found this book to be drawn out, rambling and a bit all over the place for me. I did like some of the descriptive writing; however the book as a whole was not enjoyable for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Devotion has an interesting premise and I really enjoyed the first half of the book. The ending was a little disappointing and fell flat. I was hoping for more. The writing was good and I would read this author's next book.

Hoe did a book so creepy and with such an exciting premise wind up being such a boring read? It all just got more pointless as it went on.

This sounded so much better than it was. I honestly can't believe I finished it. Ithink this book is being marketed to the wrong group perhaps? I just didn't like it at all.

I've seen a lot of great reviews for this book and people who loved it, but it just wasn't for me. I tried several times to get into it, but just wasn't clicking.

Sigh. Just.... I couldn't with this. It was dark (which I usually love in a book), but I asked !yself SEVERAL times what the heck I was reading. The first half was a lot better than the second half, and I finally gave up around 2/3 of the way.in. As I saod, I just couldn't . 2 and a half stars, but I will round up to 3.

Toxic female relationships are the topic of many a book, and I have to admit, I usually enjoy them- there's something about watching that train-wreck waiting to happen as we can see what's coming and think to ourselves "what is this person doing???" So I was really excited when I got picked to read an advanced copy of "Devotion", as I had been hearing a lot of buzz about it leading up to its release.
We start off meeting Ella, a broke young woman who is barely making it financially, and who has no qualms about getting involved with a guy if she can get a meal out of it. She is lucky enough to be able to fudge her references to get hired as a nanny for a young, wealthy couple, Lonnie and James. Lonnie seems to be the opposite of Ella- both are the same age, though Lonnie is married with a young child, and comes from a wealthy family, whereas Ella is barely making it month to month and is single. As Ella becomes more obsessed with Lonnie, yet at the same time resentful and jealous of all that Lonnie has and is, she and Lonnie become closer, and the lines between employer and employee become blurred, and Lonnie is not all that she initially seems to be on the outside. The book started off promising for me for about the first half, but admittedly, I really struggled getting throught the second half, and the end left me feeling like I was missing out on a whole lot that wasn't answered for me.

Thanks for Net Galley and Faber & Faber for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for something different? Not afraid to read about the darkness that lies within us all? Then Devotion is your kind of book! It certainly was mine. I loved every minute of this complicated book and absolutely recommended if you enjoy books that focus on characters and the darkness inside them.

This writer creates stunning work and can string together words and thoughts beautifully. I would like to compare her writing to Ottessa Moshfegh. Both authors capture complex relationships between individuals extremely well. I was wholly wrapped up in her writing, but the story itself left much to be desired. I have a feeling that is intentional but it left me feeling incomplete as I turned the last page. I look forward to seeing what she creates next.