*Watch Out for Her* by Samantha M. Bailey is a psychological thriller that explores themes of obsession, privacy, and trust. The story follows Sarah Goldman, a mother who moves her family to a new city to escape her unsettling relationship with Holly, the former babysitter who became far too close for comfort. However, even in their new home, Sarah cannot shake the feeling that someone is still watching her.

Bailey sets up an intriguing premise, blending domestic suspense with an eerie atmosphere. The dual timelines—one focusing on Sarah's present life and the other on her past with Holly—are cleverly woven, slowly revealing how the tension between the two women escalated. The pacing, especially in the first half, is brisk, pulling the reader into Sarah’s growing paranoia and Holly’s increasingly invasive behavior.

However, as the story progresses, the twists and turns that are staples of this genre become predictable. While the tension is palpable in the beginning, the later chapters lack the punch needed to keep the suspense alive. Some plot points feel contrived, and the characters, particularly Sarah, make choices that can feel frustrating or overly dramatic without sufficient development to back them up.

Overall, *Watch Out for Her* offers some suspenseful moments and a fast-paced narrative, but it falls short of the psychological depth or surprise factor that would make it stand out in a crowded genre. It’s a solid read for those looking for a quick, easy thriller but may not satisfy readers seeking a truly gripping or unpredictable story.

Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novel. It had the potential to be a strong thriller (the dual perspectives, the babysitter, etc) and yet I struggled my way through it. I think the biggest miss for me was the writing style and long chapters. This wasn’t a page-turner by any means, the plot wasn’t engaging and I didn’t like either of the main characters Holly and Sara. I don’t enjoy reading about crossed boundaries, I don’t enjoy women gaslighting other women, and I don’t like when assumptions are made and no discussions happen.

Looking back on this book, I can’t remember what the major plot points were or what the twist was… and don’t care to check it out. If I hadn’t pulled this from my TBR jar, I probably wouldn’t have been motivated to pick it up and if I hadn’t listened to it on audio I would have DNF’d. As much as I loved that this was set in Toronto and I want to support Canadian authors, I’m not sure I’d pick up another from her.

This was a great book. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. I definitely will recommend this book to all my family and friends.

So...I was half and half on this book. I liked it, but it was just okay - not a standout like the last one of hers that I read, Woman on the Edge. This one was dual timeline, which is a format that I love - but it was sooooo slow and took forever to get going! 3 stars, BUT I'm not put off of the author entirely - not all books can be winners.

One of my very favorite books! Samantha writes deeply flawed but beautiful characters that make you feel as if you have known them your whole life. They could be your mother or sister or best friend. That twist was absolutely amazing!

I ended up DNFing this. After the first am few chapters I was just not vibig with it, it definitely just wasn’t for me.

I have to say that I didn't love this book because I couldn't really get into the main character, Sarah. I did like the suspense of the book, and the storytelling piece of the different character point of views, but I figured out the twist early and then it somewhat fell flat. I felt like there could have been more to it if the characters were more likeable and connecting with the reader.

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"Watch Out for Her" by Samantha M. Bailey is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This book is a masterful blend of suspense, unexpected twists, and deeply drawn characters that pull you into the story from the very first page. Bailey's writing is sharp, engaging, and effortlessly weaves a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking.

The plot of "Watch Out for Her" is ingeniously crafted, with Bailey demonstrating her skill at manipulating the reader's expectations and emotions. The pacing is perfect, with each chapter ending on a note that compels you to keep turning the pages. It's the kind of book that you can easily get lost in, and I found myself doing just that, finishing it in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down.

What sets this thriller apart is its psychological depth. Bailey explores the motives and backgrounds of her characters with a keen eye, making them feel real and relatable. The tension builds steadily, culminating in a finale that is both satisfying and surprising. It's a testament to Bailey's talent as a storyteller that she can keep the suspense high while also offering a nuanced exploration of themes such as trust, obsession, and the past's impact on the present.

I'm giving "Watch Out for Her" 4 stars because it is an exemplary thriller that delivers on all fronts. It's a book that not only entertains but also makes you think, with characters and a story that linger in your mind long after the last page. Samantha M. Bailey has crafted a thrilling, unputdownable novel that I highly recommend to anyone looking for their next great read.

I love when mysteries unravel the story with a past and present narrative and that’s exactly what happened. This was probably the main appeal for me since the storytelling was pretty slow. The story was fairly predictable, it wasn’t really a thriller and the characters were unappealing. Not a lot happens and everything could have been prevented with simple communication, of course.

In saying that, I like how the author built suspense and slowly put together different pieces before the final reveal. Everything was tied up into a nice bow at the end and although it wasn’t a happy ending for all, justice was eventually served.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Missed the mark in all areas, did not like the characters and was not interested in the story. I wish I could get my time back. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

"Watch Out for Her" delivers a gripping narrative filled with tension, nail-biting suspense, and concealed secrets.

The story unfolds across two distinct time periods—then, during the Goldman family's residence in Vancouver, and now, in Toronto. Narrated from the perspectives of both Sarah and Holly, this dual timeline approach adds layers to each suspenseful twist, compelling readers to eagerly turn the pages.

The portrayal of the dark and haunting obsession between Holly and Sarah, reciprocated on both ends, initially perplexes. Their desperate and intense connection, characterized by mutual stalking, seems difficult to comprehend. However, as the narrative unfolds, this dangerous obsession becomes increasingly engrossing, drawing readers deeper into the intricacies of their complex relationship.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Samantha M Bailey's debut novel, Woman on the Edge, so I jumped at the chance to read Watch Out for Her. It was an entertaining story and had interesting characters, as well as a decent mystery. I found the plot was slow to develop in some parts, but overall, the author weaved a good story and built the suspense and drama, which led to a satisfying ending and reveal.
If you're in the mood for a thriller, check it out.

Riveting storytelling blended in two relatable, well-developed female characters. The timelines were good enough to hook me and not make me confused. I did figure some things out so it wasn't a shocker to me, but it was still a good story!

What a surprising read! I was hooked immediately and held in suspicion throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was trying to put the pieces together of the back and forth and just what is happening and what is going on between Holly & Sarah.

The turn of events tho! I pieced it together only just before the reveal but this was such a diamond in the rough! The rough being I’ve been in a slump and this was a slam dunk!

I loved the dual timeline with the different characters. Holly from before & Sarah in the present. So you know something goes down but what? And when does it all come to a head! When the timelines finally collide i was like oh snap!

Such an addicting read!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster ​and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
The author's previous book left a lasting impression on me, but unfortunately, this latest one fell short of my expectations. While the story began promisingly enough, it eventually veered off into a perplexing direction that was challenging for me to follow. As a result, I found myself growing bored and struggling to connect with the characters. Additionally, the ending felt overly tidy and neatly resolved, which didn't quite align with my personal taste.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me advance access to this title. I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more from this author. As a reader, I am really motivated by character driven stories and I found myself quickly becoming immersed in these characters’ lives. Full review to come.

Watch Out for Her is a good psychological thriller.
It switches between the present perspective with Sarah, the mother
And the past perspective from Holly, the babysitter that Sarah left.
Throughout it keeps you guessing on what is really going on.

Watch Out for Her is a riveting domestic thriller that will keep you in suspense until the shocking conclusion!

The storyline alternates viewpoints, and the reader gets glimpses of an extremely wealthy yet extremely unhappy girl who is searching for a place to belong, and a family that is under immense pressure due to circumstances they've created for themselves. Each family member has their own secret, and the question is, when will these secrets collide and reveal?

Holly Monroe grows up in a wealthy, powerful family, but her life isn't all that its cracked up to be. Her mother died in childbirth, and she feels that her stepmother has expectations for her to help further the family business that a loving mother wouldn't have. Part of these expectations include wooing investors, and as one part of this, Holly is expected to babysit a potential investor's child over the summer when she is home from med school. Holly ends up falling in love with the boy and feels as though she has a family for the first time. Although initially very welcoming, it isn't long before the family becomes aware of some of Holly's other activities and works to distance themselves, going so far as to take an opportunity to move across the country to escape her. Holly is devastated, and posts on social media that she is going on a retreat. However, the family still feels watched and finds nanny cameras in their new home. Is Holly behind these cameras and the strange events? Or is somebody else hunting them down?

"Watch Out for Her" by Samantha Bailey is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The novel is expertly crafted with its fast-paced plot, unexpected twists, and complex characters. Bailey skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives keeping the reader guessing and engaged throughout.

Overall, "Watch Out for Her" is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of the genre. Bailey's writing is sharp and evocative. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.
A sincere thank you to NetGallery for this book.

This is a great psychological thriller. Loved this book. It kept me guessing until the end. It is about a family who hires a babysitter for their son. The story is told in alternating parts by both the mother and the babysitter. Every one of the adults has secrets and at times I found I liked the mother and at times I didn't like her at all. Same with the babysitter. Your never quite sure who to trust and who to believe until the very end. I loved this book and highly recommend it.